NEWS22 July 2025
You Don’t Have to Be a Millionaire to Make a Difference
Jill Juergensen on investing, learning and supporting startups with purpose.
Dr. Jill Juergensen, a lecturer in International Business and Strategy at the University of Surrey, is proving that you do not need to come from a finance background to make a meaningful contribution to early-stage businesses.
A member of the S100 Angel Investment Club, Jill is investing in startups that are supported by SETsquared Surrey, the University’s incubator based at Surrey Research Park. With her research focused on innovation, global supply chains and social impact, Jill sees investing as a natural extension of her professional work.
“I see angel investing as a learning opportunity,” she says. “It’s not just about providing funds. I want to follow the journey, learn from the entrepreneurs and contribute in a way that feels aligned with my values.”
Jill is particularly drawn to startups tackling real-world problems. She has interest in businesses focused on issues such as cyber security, climate resilience, infection control in hospitals and improving education access. Some of the companies she has backed are part of SETsquared Surrey and are benefitting from its support network, mentoring and infrastructure.
This crossover between research, teaching, investment and enterprise highlights the strength of the University of Surrey’s innovation ecosystem. “I wear a few different hats,” says Jill. “But they feed into each other. It’s rewarding to see how these parts of the ecosystem connect and support one another.”
Jill is also candid about the challenges. Knowledge gaps, technical language and long timelines can put some investors off, especially if they are new to the space. But she believes there are ways to make it easier. From short learning sessions to highlighting tax relief schemes such as SEIS and EIS, simple steps can make angel investing more accessible.
Most of all, she wants others to feel they can be part of it too. “You don’t need to be wealthy or have decades of experience,” she says. “You can start small and still make a difference. And you learn so much along the way.”
Her advice to investor networks is to showcase more stories. “Seeing people from a range of backgrounds investing is powerful. It breaks down assumptions and shows what’s possible. The University’s innovation community can thrive when people connect across disciplines to support purposeful businesses.”
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to invest.