Similar, in the UK, the government is conducting a high level review of finance for SMEs lead by ex 3i director Chris Rowlands. This review is expected to make suggestions on crowd funding at the next UK budget in March 2012.

Do you think crowd funding should be legal? If so, take our survey – should crowd funding be legalised?

Business Angels investing in startup UK companies are gearing up for tax breaks of between 50 and 78% for investments which are made after 6th April 2012.

The UK government has made it a priority to get funds into small fledgling businesses and will offer a 50% rebate – even if the individual making the investment isn’t paying 50% income tax.

What is more, if you make a capital gain in the tax year 2012 / 13 and invest that money in a startup, then you’ll also get the 28% capital gains relief – a massive 78% relief in total.

You can read the detail of the UK government scheme here (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme or SEIS)…

There are a few restrictions – but they are relatively minor – ie

• smaller companies, those with 25 or fewer employees
• companies with assets of up to £200,000,
• carrying on or preparing to carry on a new business;
• directors who invest in their companies;
• annual amount of investment limited to £100,000 per investor, with unused annual
• amounts able to be carried back to the previous year
• investment limit of £150,000 for the company on a cumulative basis, not an annual limit

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Want access to Business Angel deals? If you are a high net worth or sophisticated investor, then you may attend our investor evening on the 22nd February.  Please contact us for details…

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No business angel networks were involved.

More info here…

In addition, any capital gain realised in 2012/13 will be exempt of the 28% capital gains tax if that money is invested in starups.

The story doesn’t tell us why – other what we can guess – that most wealthy people are unable to achieve any returns on their money from banks or deposits, in which case, they might as well back startups.

However, whether this is a sign of the industry growing up gracefully or of another bubble about to blosom, we just don’t know yet…

Justin Bieber is 17 years old.

London’s Major, Boris Johnson has just added his weight to London’s new accelerator academy too

“The Accelerator Academy represents exactly the type of investment in London’s future businesses that will secure our position as Europe’s digital capital.

Using the nous of seasoned entrepreneurs to mentor those in the very early stages, alongside much needed access to investment, the Academy will give tech entrepreneurs a real leg up in a tough economic climate, helping to create London’s future jobs.”

Well said Boris.

IBM’s SmartCamp is an exclusive global event aimed at identifying early stage entrepreneurs who are developing business ventures that align with IBM’s Smarter Planet vision – that the world is becoming increasingly instrumented, interconnected, and intelligent.

 Each year SmartCamp events are held around the world. After the application and interview stage in each locality, five finalists are selected for an intensivetwo regional event to network with 25 world-class entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, and to pitch for a place in the global finals held in Silicon Valley in Q1 of the following year.

 In 2011, SmartCampLondon is being held in association with StartUp Britain, Startupbootcamp and Silicon Valley Comes to the UK. Registration closes on the 14^th Oct so get in quick and start preparing your entry!

Learn more and register now at IBM.com: http://bit.ly/smartcampuk