Simon Blakey

Simon Blakey is a highly experienced angel investor, co-founding Avonmore Developments in 2000 and actively investing in over 35 businesses and 100 individual funding rounds. He specializes in pre-seed and seed investments for UK B2B and deep-tech startups, with a personal portfolio of over 35 companies. avonmoredevelopments+2

He holds several key roles in the investment community, including Chair of the Investment Committee at Playfair Capital, Board Member and Angel Investor at Cambridge Angels, and Investment Committee Member at Angel CoFund (ACF Investors). His experience spans decades, having observed and shaped the UK's early-stage ecosystem. playfair+2

Beyond investing, Simon Blakey contributes to the strategic direction of various organizations, serving as a Board Director at Ventrata, a Trustee and Treasurer at the Ian Parry Scholarship, and a Board Member at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. ventrata+2

Blakey has a diverse professional background, initially training as a biochemist at Birmingham University and gaining experience as a management accountant at Sainsbury's Bank and in financial service start-up projects at Arthur Andersen Business Consulting before transitioning into full-time angel investing. cambridgeangels+1

He is an advocate for greater inclusivity in the investment world and has shared his insights and lessons learned from over two decades of angel investing, emphasizing patience, persistence, continuous learning, and focusing on the relationship between investor and entrepreneur. cambridgeangels+1