Peter Cowley

As an active angel investor for nearly 15 years, I have personally invested in 76 startups and was named UK Business Angel of the Year 2014/15 and angel investor in the most successful Exit of the year 2021 by EBAN in Cork.

For two years, I was President of the European Business Angels Network (EBAN) - the trade body representing the early stage investor and startup community throughout Europe and have now joined the President Emeriti advisory council.

I am a board member of the Global Business Angel Network (GBAN) and an honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Anglia Ruskin University

Until 2019, I was chair of the board of the Cambridge Business Angels (which invested over £45M in 2019) and am an Investment Director of Martlet Capital - a VC that I co-founded in 2011. I've led 30 investment deals and am currently a non-executive director of two angel-backed technology start-ups, plus a board observer of seven others. I’ve been a director on over 40 boards.

After studying Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Cambridge, I founded fourteen businesses in technology and construction.

I have mentored many hundreds of entrepreneurs and am a Fellow in Entrepreneurship at the Cambridge Judge Business School and a Freeman of the City of London. I am chair of Camentrepreneurs and was Policy Portfolio Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses.

I have spec-built several domestic houses and refurbished many others, including the £1.7 million Cambridge Advice Centre. 

I have been voluntary chair, treasurer and trustee of numerous charities for over 15 years – various Citizens Advice Bureaux, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation charity (Focus12) and a private sixth form college.  

Portfolio

I've invested in 76 early stage companies. These are largely made up of deep product technology businesses, reflecting my skills and background.

See my portfolio of investments

Investment criteria

For age and health reasons, I am no longer investing in startups.

See my investment criteria

Speaking and Judging

I have appeared regularly on media outlets particularly Naked Scientists, broadcast on BBC radio, and in South Africa, Australia and as a podcast. I also speak at events and join judging panels in areas relating to technology, entrepreneurship and angel investment. I have spoken at events in 39 countries, most of them in person.

For media and judging requests, please get in touch