Around 80 ‘angel investors’ – including Newry entrepreneur Michael O’Neill – gathered in Newry last week to meet local entrepreneurs who need up to £500k of funding for innovative business ideas. The ‘Dragon’s Den’ type pitch event at the Canal Court Hotel was attended by eight companies who are looking for money and mentorship to grow their businesses. The event was organised by Halo which is based at NI Science Park and has so far raised £5m to support new and growing businesses and was sponsored by local accountants John MacMahon and Co. Among the angels who attended was Newry entrepreneur Michael O’Neill a former director of First Derivatives and one of the key investors behind Fred Daly Golf, inventors of the next generation ‘Peanut Putters’, which was recently adopted by ladies world number 1 Inbee Park. “It was great to see Halo coming to Newry – the town has a lot of business potential,” said Michael. “It was a case of a lot of very interested business investors hearing about some first class ideas as well as enjoying a great opportunity to network. I have been investing in local start up companies for some years now and know from first hand experience that there is a lot of talent in Northern Ireland and some of very capable and innovative young entrepreneurs.” Among the Newry companies there on the night were Dealtronic, owned by former publican Peter McCaul and Trailblazer Tech represented by Jerome Finnegan. Other budding businesses included Heavenly Tasty Organics, IloveQC, Art on Fashion, Goprezzo, Shotclip and Redburn Solutions. Halo Manager Paul Clancy said: “We were delighted with the response both in numbers and quality of angel investors who were interested ion coming to Newry and in investing in local businesses. Halo’s debut in Newry is part of our outreach programme but we are always interested in meeting emerging businesses and potential new angels wherever they are from. More information at www.haloni.com .
Newry Democrat
18th June 2013
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