Cutting-edge companies ready to face investment dragons

Apr 8 2009 By Andrew Mernin, The Journal

VENTURE capitalists from across the country will bring their wealth to the North East later this month as they look to invest in young technology companies.

The Secure Futures Investment Conference takes place on Tuesday, April 28, at Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield and has been organised by the networking organisation Connect North East.

In a Dragons’ Den-style event, nine young technology companies – all producing cutting-edge answers to some of Britain’s most pressing security problems – will get the opportunity to pitch to high-level investors from the North East, London and Edinburgh for between £250,000 and £1m.

We meet five of the "dragons" and ask what they are looking for from the technology companies and what will make them part with their money.

Page 2: Michelle Cooper, NorthStar Equity Investors