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about

South West Angels (SWA) are a not-for-profit organisation comprised of passionate investors from the South West, committed to sourcing and supporting Western Australian startups. We provide not only financial capital but also mentorship, advice, and connections to help innovative businesses thrive.

  • Investor Network
    We connect innovative and scaleable startups with South West investors through regular deal screenings and our signature Pitch, Learn, & Connect events

  • Education
    We offer education for potential investors on what angel investing is, and provide startup founders with guidance on becoming investor ready and pitching for investment

  • Partnerships & Networking
    Collaborating with local regional and Perth-based partners we facilitate meaningful networking and learning opportunities within the WA startup community

  • Passion for Growth
    We are dedicated to fostering the growth of the startup and innovation ecosystem in WA, with a focus on regional development

Founders

Where Innovation Meets Investment

  • Are you an early stage business and wondering how you will get the money you need to make your business grow?
  • Do the banks consider your business too risky?
  • Have you considered an Angel Investor?

Angel Investors

  • Invest their money, and sometimes expertise, in your business in exchange for equity
  • Are often experienced business people who can act as mentors
  • Normally invest in sectors they have background in and understand
  • Contribute sector knowledge, networks, and connections

Who are the South West Angels?

The South West Angels is a not-for-profit organisation actively engaged with connecting regional investors to innovative WA startups. We are part of a network of groups, with connections to WA, National and International Angel networks.

We provide a place for startup founders to present (and receive valuable feedback on) their investment opportunities to private investors and to bring together those interested in the startup, innovation, and investment ecosystem.

How does it work?

SUBMIT YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Deal Origination Committee REVIEW & invite to deal screening, provide feedback, or refer to others

if invited to deal screening, COMPLETE DETAILS IN online investor platform Gust

Present to Deal Screening Committee: 10 min pitch plus Q&A

FEEDBACK PROVIDED AND ADVISED IF THROUGH TO PITCH STAGE

IF selected, PITCH TO SWA MEMBERS & AUDIENCE AT PITCH, LEARN, & CONNECT EVENT

FEEDBACK PROVIDED AND ADVISED IF INTEREST TO CONDUCT PRE-INVESTMENT DUE DILIGENCE

If an offer is not made, your application remains in our deal flow system and can be accessed anytime by our investor members and partner angel groups.

Get Started

Apply now

FAQ

No, Angel Investors invest their OWN money to invest in startups and tend to be more hands off than venture capitalists.

South West Angels typically look at investment propositions that require $100k to $500k for a 15% to 40% holding.

Members of the group have participated in a number of ventures across a variety of sectors but the key criteria is the startups must be innovative and scaleable. We focus on WA based startups although we occasionally look at businesses from other states if it comes through our network or partners.

We understand that intellectual property is a real concern for start-up businesses. Any information provided by you will not be shared with third parties or used for any other purpose than for the evaluation of the submitted startup business.

In a way however we like to say they are a friendly, relaxed version. Pitches are typically 10 minutes long, with a short question and answer time, and the event will also include networking time.

Funds are used to accelerate your company’s achievement of key milestones that increase the company’s value. We often fund activities that include research and product development, building sales and marketing infrastructure, and hiring key executives.

Apart from completing the relevant sections on the online funding application, additional documents may be required as part of the due diligence process should you get to that stage e.g. business plans, financial documents, description of market opportunities and how commercialisation will be achieved.

Partnership opportunities

Looking to enhance your brand and association with innovation? Supporting early stage angel investing is a great way to do this! 

We are actively engaged with connecting investors to innovative emerging businesses. Our aim is to provide efficient sourcing and allocation of early stage investment capital, mentorship, and connections from regional investors to investment ready startups in WA. 

We are also educating regional based investors on the potential value of investing in start-ups, and upskilling startup founders on how to become ready for that investment.

Work with us to grow and develop our regional innovation and startup community.

SWA Objectives

  • Build a professional community of Angel investors in WA
  • Facilitate investment in early stage business opportunities in WA
  • Provide quality deal flow for regional angel investors
  • Educate angel investors and potential investors to support better investment outcomes
  • Engage, collaborate, and leverage early stage investment capital
  • Promote ethical and efficient angel investment and angel syndication

Why partner with South West Angels?

  • Brand enhancement through support for innovation in the regions
  • Brand visibility across the South West and beyond
  • Exposure to potential customers and new talent
  • Access to network of investors, startups, entrepreneurs, and innovation supporters
  • Access to experienced commercialisation professionals
  • New investment opportunities (if of interest)

Partnership Options

The above provides an overview of our partnership options however we are happy to discuss in-kind sponsorship or a customised arrangement, along with discounts for multi-year partnerships.

 

Membership

What is an Angel Investor?

Angel Investors believe that successful investment in early stage ventures can generate high returns if done with care and diligence. As a member of a group of likeminded investors, they want to learn from the experience of others and thereby reduce their investment risk. 

Typically, Angel Investors are experienced business people and bring much more than just money to the companies they invest in. This usually allows them to be strategically involved in the ventures they invest in, whether as directors or advisors where relevant.

Membership

Individual Memberships 

Open to adults who are; interested in learning about startup investing and the WA innovation and startup ecosystem, already investors but want to add angel investments to their portfolios, or experienced angel investors looking for dealflow and new networks. Preferably members should be based, or spend significant time, in regional WA.

Access – $100 annually

This base level fee provides access to all our free events and workshops, tickets to member exclusive and discounted member price events, curated info and news from the WA innovation and investment community, plus access to our deal screening sessions to hear what questions our deal screen team ask, what they are looking for, and the type of feedback they provide.

Action – $400 annually

To participate in due diligence with the view of potential individual or syndicated investment, an additional $400 is charged to upgrade to our full ‘Action’ Membership.

Note: sophisticated investor criteria must be met to upgrade to Action membership, this is not required for the Access Membership

All members have full voting rights and are entitled to hold office in the Association. We would welcome the chance to discuss joining our board with any members who are experienced investors, have founded startups, or who work with startups and entrepreneurs.

If you are interested in membership please contact us at xo@southwestangels.com.au 

Why join?

Angel groups have grown significantly both in Australia and globally. Groups offer Angel investors the opportunity to invest in and help build successful companies – while also having a good time! Every group is different in terms of investment strategy and culture. 

SWA offers interested investors a variety of benefits including:

 

  • Support your community by mentoring entrepreneurs and helping young and innovative companies grow
  • Greater potential to diversify your Angel portfolio and reducing risk of investment losses
  • Stay current on new ideas, technology and emerging markets
  • Standardised processes & term sheets
  • Better deal flow – quality and quantity
  • Networking and fun with a peer group of successful entrepreneurs and executives
  • Build your investment skills by learning from other members and taking educational courses
  • Investors have the option to remain anonymous while the group has a public profile
  • Pooling individual capital increases the chance that entrepreneurs can attract enough money to build their businesses
  • Collaborating with other Angel groups in Australia and around the world.

Gallery

A network of private regional investors actively engaged with emerging WA startups, providing education, connections, funding and mentorship

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