Sir Chris Evans’ range of BioMedTech companies, dating back 25 years, have created around 40 millionaires from the humblest of roots. A scientist with Genzyme in the US in the ’80s he saw what the Americans were doing to commercialise biotechnology and came back to the UK to form his own bioscience business. But the VCs had vanished in the crash of 1987 and Chris was left with a huge business plan, mega-ambition and precious few investors to talk to. Given his big break by British Sugar’s R & D director, Malcolm Desforges, who read the plan and invested £1.3m, the Evans empire was on its way. He continued to be shunned when the VCs reappeared so went into the City to raise cash himself and became a successful VC in his own right, first with Merlin and then with Excalibur, which funds medical innovation all over the world. He has advised successive Governments.

Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced in starting your first major venture?

"The biggest challenge was securing sufficient monies to get our labs and people employed on the very projects that our Business Plan showed we could make a lot of money from."

Q: Do you think difficulty in engaging with funders was due to their lack of understanding or your inability to explain the proposition?

"I definitely explained all of my ideas in a clear and colourful baby language I had devised. But, as was the case in 1987 and still is in 2011, investors don't always understand all the bits that make up the pie!"

Q: What would you advise any startups - not just technology but any industry sector - to treat as priorities to get their companies off the ground?

"The top priority for any start up is to assemble and put on display (even as unpaid, unhired people) the very best management team conceivably possible in their area. Then you need a bit of cash from family and friends to tide you over when you go out presenting. Ensure your Plan is top class and your slides crisp and compelling. First go see a couple of high net worth Angels as they may answer your call and help. Then go see nasty VCs when your Team+ Plan+Presentation+Angels are in place as you just might impress the big money boys enough to get them on the pitch. Then welcome to the rest of your life as you never dreamt it!".