A new company supporting tech entrepreneurs in York has been launched.

Some 200 people filled the ancient Merchant Adventurers’ Hall for the launch of a groundbreaking new community interest company called York Angels.

The event last Wednesday saw York Angels founders Sam Hields and Ashley Mason welcome local business leaders, venture capitalists, angels, founders and sector partners.

This included those in local government and academia, such as the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Chris Cullwick, and both of the city’s university’s Vice Chancellors.

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HSBC Innovation Banking, as the headline sponsor, shared their insights into the current investment market before a panel including the chief executive of the Business Enterprise Fund.

In addition, two York Angels-funded tech ventures discussed their journeys of raising capital.

After the well-received event, those present networked and enjoyed drinks from Brew York.

York Angels has already secured hundreds of thousands of pounds in recent months for two York start-ups.

They are Myles Wellbeing and Causa, the latter recently listed by Sifted as one of the top AI start-ups in Europe.

Co-founder Sam Hields, a venture capitalist with OpenOcean, and former pupil of Huntington School, said: “We had an excellent launch event and have had so much positive feedback!

“York Angels is a CIC, offering free advice and initial support and the fact we give more than just money places us perfectly to support start-ups in York who are looking to scale up.”

Fellow co-founder Ashley Mason added: “We have had an unbelievable response with a significant amount of successful local people wanting to invest in start-ups in their city.

“Our innovative approve means there is as much a focus on advice and support as there is on cash. We are here to help all start-ups to find the best sources of funding to develop, whether that is through our network or other sources.”

More details can be found at www.yorkangels.co.uk and those looking to become angel investors, people who invest their own money into start-up companies, can email hi@yorkangels.co.uk