Suggestions
Briony Phillips
Nurturing a healthier, more fabulous future
Briony Phillips is a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Business West.1 She is an experienced professional with a diverse background in entrepreneurship, business development, and community support.
Professional Experience
Briony has worked extensively in supporting startups and scaleups in the Bristol and Bath area for seven years.1 Her current professional activities include:
- Consulting on various projects
- Hosting Electra, a community for women
- Supporting the Create Growth Programme
- Running regional development activities with Rocketmakers
- Teaching as a fellow for the University of Bath's virtual Masters in entrepreneurship and innovation1
Expertise and Contributions
Briony is known for her roles as a:
- Connector
- Facilitator
- Problem-solver1
She has been particularly active in promoting and supporting the Tech for Good business community. In 2021, Briony released an open dataset with Rocketmakers to raise awareness of this sector locally.1
Additional Roles
Beyond her board position at Business West, Briony's professional portfolio includes:
- Nutritional therapist13
- Regional Development and Wellbeing Consultant3
- Special Projects Lead (part-time)3
Past Positions
Briony has held several significant roles in the past, including:
Recognition
Briony has been praised for her work in helping SMEs improve their access to finance, particularly equity. She has been described as "outstanding in her delivery, energy and commitment" in this area.2
Briony Phillips continues to be an active and influential figure in the Bristol business community, contributing to various initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.
Highlights
I'm back with another 'myth or truth' - this week I'm pondering the motivations of angel investors when it comes to their approach to decision-making.
This one feels obvious to me - market opportunity will likely be one factor in an angel investor's decision-making, but it isn't the total picture. Other factors that are often important include traction, team, the founder(s), their approach to risk, their experience dealing with challenges, their willingness to take input/feedback... the list goes on.
So how can you determine whether an angel investor will be a good match for you? It seems like a dark art - and I guess that is a reflection of human nature - we're all individual and our approach to decision-making can't always be formulaic.
What tips would you have for someone trying to find an angel investor who's a great fit for them and their business? Is this a myth or a truth?
If you're interested in conversations like this one, join me, Matt Penneycard, Roderick Beer, and Dr. Vivienne Heyhoe on Thurs 5 Sept at Engine Shed.
#angelinvestment #funding #equityfunding #bristol #southwest #businessgrowth
It’s only Tuesday and it’s a big week for gratitude and serendipity already.
I didn’t know why I was so drawn to the Rebel Meet-up with Matt Connolly until the point where he so eloquently and passionately advocated for the need for business to take a role in driving forward positive impact, regardless of the sector. A call for us all to consider ourselves socially motivated enterprises.
After all, we are all human, this planet can’t be replaced, and we thrive on connection - at work or at home.
Matt’s impressive focus on sales and impact was palpable. It’s not often you find the two so interwoven. There is candour, energy, and entrepreneurialism in his DNA which delivered inspiration and was just what I needed to hear. Thanks Ash Phillips for crafting a great conversation and space for real life stories of business.
Then this morning, coffee with John Savage, aka godfather of regional development in Bristol (or that’s how I think of him). Stories, ideas and reflections to inspire even the most disillusioned of change-makers.
And the hat trick was complete thanks to the joy of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta night glow and the generosity of AMBITIOUS who treated a small group of us to a delicious dinner at Pasture. Wine, conversation, yummy food, incredible service, and balloons, a heady combination and a great reminder of the energy and diversity in our city.
#Energy, #diversity, #impact and #stories, good themes for everyone this week I thought.
