Angels in Singapore help young local companies spread their wings

Angel investors are pumping their personal funds - usually $25,000 to $200,000 - into early-stage start-ups.

These self-made millionaires and corporate bigwigs are also providing guidance to these young companies, and hoping for large returns in investment when the company is eventually acquired or when it goes public.

The Business Angel Network Southeast Asia - a network for angel investors - which is based in Singapore, says it has 75 members, of whom 40 are active; while Spring's Angel Investors Tax Deduction scheme has about 80 angels signed up.

Investors say they do it to be involved in a business, without the burden of dealing with day-to-day operations and also for the satisfaction of seeing young companies grow.