Venture capital funds: A-Z Directory

Accessing the right business finance is crucial for any growing company, especially when it comes to scaling.

Nowadays, there are many ways to get the money you need, from traditional loans to more modern options like crowdfunding and venture capital – something that has allowed startups and small businesses to secure the funding they need to grow.

Venture capital firms play an important role in providing the necessary funding to help startups and emerging businesses reach their full potential. These firms offer not just financial support but also valuable expertise and connections.

Below, we’ve listed some of the top venture capital firms that are helping UK startups secure the financing they need to grow and succeed in the business world.

Venture capital directory for startups

Venture capital has become a popular way for startups and growing businesses to secure funding – whether you’re in the early stages of starting a business or looking to grow further.

Either way, venture capital is a great avenue to accelerate growth, expand operations and gain access to valuable expertise and industry connections.

So if you’re looking for early-stage investment opportunities, here are some venture capital funds that can support and guide your business in your growth journey.

Accel

Founded in 1983, Accel (formerly known as Accel Partners) has a long history of backing successful startups, particularly in the technology sector. Some of its most notable investments include Facebook, Dropbox, Slack, Deliveroo and Bumble. Accel is based in California and has a strong presence in Silicon Valley, but it also operates in London, Bangalore and New York.

Current investments: 300+
Exits: 448
Industries: consumer internet, fintech, SaaS, AI

Advent Life Sciences

This London-based fund has invested in and helped create world-class technology and life science businesses. Since 2006, companies backed by Advent Life Sciences have successfully brought fifteen innovative medicines to approval. It also has a strong portfolio of past and present companies, with over 100 investments made since its inception.

Current investments: 55
Exits: 36
Industries: digital health, medical technologies, biopharmaceuticals

Ambient Sound Investments (ASI)

Established in 2003 by four founding engineers at Skype, this seed investment company invests in businesses across multiple industries. While based in Tallinn, Estonia Ambient Sound Investments (ASI) supports many companies across the globe, including the UK, Europe, Asia and the US.

Current investments: 58
Exits: 35
Industries: various

Atomico

Established by Skype co-founders Niklas Zennström and Janus Friss in 2006, Atomico focuses on investing in early-stage and high-growth technology startups, particularly in Europe. Its most notable investments include the likes of Klarna, TravelPerk and Gaia Family.

Current investments: 125
Exits: 49
Industries: consumer internet, SaaS, fintech, AI

Balderton Capital

A capital venture firm that invests in early-stage technology and internet startups. Since being founded in 2000, Balderton Capital has invested in over 275 European-based companies, including key players in the fintech sector like Revolut and GoCardless – both of which have achieved unicorn status.

Current investments: 189
Exits: 85
Industries: fintech, SaaS, consumer internet, digital health

Big Issue Invest

As part of the Big Issue Group, this venture capital fund provides finance to social enterprises in the form of business loans and equity. Since its inception in 2005, Big Issue Invest has invested over £900 million in more than 600 social-purpose and charities. 

Current investments: 14
Exits: Unknown
Industries: social enterprises and charities

Blossom Capital

Blossom Capital is a Series A venture capital firm that primarily backs European tech businesses. It also limits its investments to 5-6 rounds per year to fully commit to supporting the companies it invests in. 

Current investments: 31
Exits: 6
Industries: fintech, SaaS, digital health

Bridges Fund Management

Founded in 2002, Bridges Fund Management specialises its investments in businesses with environmental and sustainability goals, including health and wellbeing, education and skills, sustainable living and under-served markets. As of now, it has made more than 220 investments and £1.7 billion in capital.

Current investments: 55
Exits: 14
Industries: health, education, real estate

Connect Ventures

A pre-seed and seed-stage firm that has supported product-led businesses since 2012, specialising in various industries including software-as-a-service (SaaS), fintech, digital health and Web3. Connect Ventures has several notable investments, including Typeform, Oyster and Truelayer.

Current investments: 72
Exits: 30
Industries: SaaS, fintech, digital health, Web3

Dawn Capital

Dawn Capital is Europe’s largest B2B software investor, backing companies from Series A and B, while also continuing to financially support top-performing businesses up to their exit. Dawn is based in London and invests in companies across Europe, the United States and Israel.

Current investments: 44
Exits: 19
Industries: fintech, data and analytics, dev ops and infrastructure, future of work, security and privacy

Delta Partners Ltd.

Delta Partners was first established in 1994 and invests in UK and Ireland-based technology companies, with a focus on early-stage funding. It has made over 50 investments in the IT, Communications and Healthcare sectors.

Current investments: 39
Exits: 21
Industries: IT, communications, healthcare

DN Capital

Nenad Marovac and Steve Schlenker founded DN Capital in 2000. Headquartered in London, it has invested in 349 companies, including well-known names like Shazam and Purplebricks. It also helps US businesses enter the European market.

Current investments: 62
Exits: 30
Industries: fintech, SaaS, marketplace, consumer internet, digital health

Index Ventures

With offices in London, New York, San Francisco and more, Index Ventures was first established in 1996 and primarily invests in technology companies and has a vast portfolio of well-known names, including Figma, Etsy, Roblox and Just Eat.

Current investments: 346
Exits: 430
Industries: AI/ML, business applications, data, entertainment, fintech, future of work, healthcare, media, mobility, open source, retail, security, HR

LocalGlobe

A trusted venture that has supported early-stage startups since 1999. LocalGlobe primarily invests in technology companies and has a portfolio of notable names in the industry, including Zoopla, Wise, bitly and more.

Current investments: 242
Exits: 49
Industries: various

London Venture Partners (LVP)

London Venture Partners (LVP) is a seed fund that specialises in investments for companies in the online, mobile, social and web game space. Since being founded in 2001, it has generated over $30 billion of equity value for the gaming industry.

Current investments: 56
Exits: 18
Industries: gaming

Mangrove Capital Partners

Specialising in backing companies within the mobile, software and ecommerce industries, Mangrove Capital Partners looks to invest as early as possible, regularly partnering with early-stage startups before a product launch. Skype, Wix and Flo are some of the many high-growth companies Mangrove has invested in.

Current investments: 40
Exits: 84
Industries: B2B, SaaS, social, commerce, marketplace and more

Molten Ventures

Formerly Draper Esprit, Molten Ventures is a  European tech-focused venture capital firm that aims to support tech entrepreneurs from Series A. Supporting high-growth companies since 2006, Molten Ventures boasts a diverse portfolio of successful businesses, including Revolut, Trustpilot and Ledger. 

Current investments: 87
Exits: 23
Industries: SaaS, enterprise, AI, deeptech, digital health, consumer

Notion Capital

SaaS and cloud businesses are the game at this London-based firm. Having made over 100 investments since 2009, Notion Capital helps Series A startups at the very beginning of their journey to help them grow and scale effectively.

Current investments: 41
Exits: 21
Industries: various

Octopus Ventures

This popular London-based firm has invested in 310 companies over the last 25 years. With a focus on the B2B software, fintech, deep tech, health, climate and bio sectors, Octopus Ventures invests in companies that aim to make a positive impact. Its portfolio of investments also includes several Startup 100 for 2025 alumni, including Metris Energy, seedata, trumpet and Swiipr.

Current investments: 122
Exits: 52
Industries: B2B software, bio, climate, consumer, deep tech, fintech, healthcare

Passion Capital

Passion Capital is one of Europe’s leading seed funds, which is run by a team of entrepreneurs to help founders and early-stage startups build successful digital media and technology companies. As of now, it has invested in over 100 companies – 5 of which have reached unicorn status – and has a 43% success rate for businesses raising Seed A funding.

Current investments: 60
Exits: 25
Industries: consumer, deep tech, enterprise, fintech, healthcare

Pentech Ventures

A leading early-stage software investment firm that backs companies in emerging markets, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Pentech Ventures was founded in 2001 and has raised over £150 million and invested in 85 companies. 

Current investments: 12
Exits: 28
Industries: SaaS, AI and ML

PROfounders Capital

Having invested in popular companies such as Get Your Guide and Unity, PROfounders Capital focuses on early-stage investment with a mission to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, offering both funding and support during all stages of the business journey.

Current investments: 24
Exits: 32
Industries: travel, hospitality, gaming, healthcare

Scottish Equity Partners

A Glasgow-based firm made up of experienced growth equity investors, backing software and technology scaleup companies in the UK and Europe. Scottish Equity Partners has made 180 investments in the last 20 years and works with businesses to support their goals and ambitions.

Current investments: 18
Exits: 24
Industries: various

Seedcamp

Seedcamp was founded in 2007 by 30 European investors and primarily backs companies in the technology sector. It supports companies with global scaling potential and has invested in over 500 businesses to date.

Current investments: 612
Exits: 69
Industries: various

SFC Capital

Formerly Startup Funding Club, SFC Capital is an early-stage investment firm that provides funding and support for UK startups. With a combination of its angel investors and seed funds, it has successfully invested in over 400 businesses to date.

Current investments: 646
Exits: 19
Industries: B2B software, B2C technology, consumer, fintech, climate, hardware & robotics, healthcare and more

Wellington Partners

With a focus on early-stage and growth-stage life sciences companies, Wellington Partners has invested in over 100 businesses since 1998. As well as funding, it also offers support through its team of experts to help companies grow and scale effectively.

Current investments: 30
Exits: 10
Industries: healthcare and digital health

How to choose early-stage investment

Choosing a source of funding for your business is essential for your growth, control and long-term success. It’s not something you should decide all at once. Instead, you should carefully evaluate your options over time, considering factors like cost, risk, flexibility, and the impact on ownership and decision-making.

Here are the main points you should consider:

1. Defining your funding needs

For this, you’ll need to determine how much capital you’ll need for your next milestone. You’ll also need to decide what you want to use this funding for. For example, you could use the money for marketing, developing your first product or hiring a team of employees.

It’s also important to note that venture capital firms aren’t the only way to get investor funding. For example, angel investors are high-net-worth individuals who invest in early-stage startups, while accelerator and incubation programmes can help by providing funding, as well as mentorship and resources.

2. Evaluating investor fit

You shouldn’t just jump at anyone who offers you money. Much like how you would choose a suitable business partner, it’s important that you consider your investors carefully. To determine this, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Does the investor understand your sector?
• Can they provide valuable networking connections?
• Are they offering fair valuations and reasonable terms?
• Does their vision align with your business goals?

3. Conducting due diligence

It’s important to note that not every investor has the best track record. That’s why you should research their history, such as past investments and success with similar startups.

Moreover, speaking with other founders in their portfolio can give you an idea of how much they were involved, the support they gave and their overall reputation. It’s also important to understand their expectations, decision-making style and any potential red flags.

4. Negotiating terms

As investors will want an equity stake in your business, this means that you’ll no longer have full control over it. Therefore, you should make sure the valuation is fair so you don’t give away more equity than necessary.

Additionally, pay attention to other details like investor rights, board seats and decision-making power, as too many restrictions can slow you down. You should also discuss an exit strategy early on so that everyone is on the same page about your long-term vision.

Conclusion

Venture capital funding is a great way for new startup businesses to gain the funding they need, while also providing guidance and support to help them along the way. 

However, it’s also important for businesses to think about whether the funding or amount of equity is right for them. Moreover, with so many options available nowadays, venture capital funding may not be a fit for everyone, so businesses should also take the time to explore their options and determine which is best for their growth, sustainability and overall success.