I recently wrote about how the role of venture capitalists is being displaced by large industrial groups, operating their own funds to support innovation.

Similarly trends are emerging in the non-profit sector, where donors are increasingly demanding more of a return for their buck. And one reason is that the donors are often based in the commercial community and not just old-fashioned do-gooders. Welcome Marc Zuckerberg!

Last week, I received  from Peter Kelley, Pegasus Financing, research from the UK re Angel Investments in 2009.

•  
  • Average Mean Investment: £192,634
  • Number of businesses receiving funding: 233
  • Average number of investors: 2.5
  • Mean per investor per deal: £77,053
  • % of all business plans received presented to investors: 10%
  • Deals greater than £500K: 8%
  • First round deals: 32% of total

While substantial, these figures are not overwhelming. You feel that there is more money elsewhere. Back to those large prowlers, the big industrialists.