List of 40 EIS investors active in 2023
A few days ago, I produced a list of 16 VCT investors who have been active in 2023. Due to popular demand, here is also a list of 40 EIS investors (with some expected to invest before the end of the tax year).
What are they?
EIS funds invest in startup companies that qualify for the UK government’s Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). The EIS scheme is a tax relief programme that incentivises investors to fund early-stage companies to benefit from 30% income tax and loss relief, inheritance tax exemption, and capital gains exemption upon exits.
Why are they worth exploring?
EIS funds in the UK raised over £1.5bn last year. Introduced by the government in 1994 and continued in 2022, they are one of the key reasons contributing to London as the leading tech hub in Europe.
What are their investment criteria?
Startups must meet all the following criteria (with few exceptions):
- Based in the UK
- Raising £1m — £5m
- Commercial traction — over £500k recurring revenue for B2B companies, £1m revenue for B2C companies and evidence of traction for healthcare companies. Recently, some EIS funds have increased their revenue requirements.
- Profitability targeted within 3 years
If you don’t meet all of these criteria, other investors might be more relevant for your funding needs — and you can find many of them on our resources page.
Looking for a warm intro? Satisfy the above criteria?
Our clients have received investments from many of the investors on this list. Get in touch with us here or reach me directly via email on jonathan@mountsideventures.com if you are raising funds in the next 6 to 12 months.
Below is a complete list of EIS investors who have been active (or we expect to be active by the end of the tax year) in 2023.
24 Haymarket
Based in London, the EIS fund manager was founded in 2019 and invests in early-stage businesses in the UK and internationally, with a focus on media, entertainment, and tech sectors.
Arie Capital
A London-based venture capital firm that was founded in 2018. They invest in early-stage companies that are transforming industries such as healthcare, finance, and sustainability.
Ascension Ventures
Based in London, the venture capital firm was founded in 2013 and invests in early-stage tech and healthcare companies, with a focus on those that are improving the health and wellbeing of society.
Blackfinch
Based in Gloucester and founded in 1996, Blackfinch is an investment management firm that manages EIS portfolios and several VCTs. They invest in B2B companies.
Britbots (British Robotics Scale-up)
Based in London and founded in 2017, Britbots is an EIS fund that invests in early-stage robotics and automation companies, with a focus on those that are developing commercial applications.
Calculus
Based in London, the investment management firm was founded in 1999 and manages EIS portfolios and VCTs. They invest in a wide range of sectors, including tech, healthcare, and renewable energy.
Creator Fund
An EIS student-led fund that invests in UK businesses where at least one member of the founding team is a professor, PhD, student, or recent graduate.
Committed Capital
An EIS fund that invests in established businesses that are looking to expand or undertake management buyouts.
Edition Capital
Edition Capital is an active investor in businesses participating in the Leisure and Entertainment sectors.
EMV Capital
A venture capital firm based in London that invests in early-stage companies in the areas of engineering, materials, and climate tech. The firm was founded in 2014.
Endeavour Ventures
Based in London, the EIS fund invests in high-growth potential tech companies that are addressing global challenges. The firm was founded in 2020.
Kin Capital
Based in London, the EIS fund manager focuses on innovative companies in sectors such as fintech, healthtech, and sustainability. The firm was founded in 2012.
Foresight Group
Foresight Group is an SME investor that has supported companies for close to four decades. They manage several different funds and invest across all sectors and stages.
Fuel Ventures
Based in London, Fuel Ventures is an EIS fund that invests in high-growth tech companies, with a focus on those that are disrupting traditional industries. The firm was founded in 2014.
Graffiti Syndicate
Based in London, the EIS fund invests in early-stage tech companies that are innovating in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and blockchain, with a focus on consumer companies.
Haatch Ventures
Based in London, the EIS fund invests in early-stage companies in the tech, digital media, and e-commerce sectors. The firm was founded in 2013.
IW Capital
Based in London, the EIS fund manager invests in a range of sectors, including healthcare, education, and consumer goods. The firm was founded in 2011.
Love Ventures
An EIS fund that invests in early-stage companies in the fintech, proptech, regtech and consumer software sectors.
Mercia Asset Management EIS
Based in Henley-in-Arden, the EIS fund invests in early-stage businesses in the tech, life sciences, and digital sectors.
MMC Ventures
Based in London, the venture capital firm was founded in 2000 and invests in early-stage tech companies in sectors such as fintech, healthtech, and edtech.
Nexus Investments
Based in London, Nexus Investments is an EIS fund that invests in high-growth tech companies, with a focus on those that are transforming industries such as healthcare, finance, and media.
O2h Ventures
Based in Cambridge, O2h Ventures is an EIS fund that invests in early-stage companies in the life sciences and healthcare sectors.
Oberon Investments
Based in London, the EIS fund manager invests in early-stage companies in the tech, healthcare, and clean energy sectors.
One Planet Capital
An EIS fund that invests in early-stage companies that are focused on sustainability and climate change.
Oxford Capital Partners
Based in Oxford, the investment management firm manages EIS funds. They invest in innovative businesses in sectors such as healthcare, education, and fintech.
Oxford Technology
Based in Oxford, the EIS fund invests in early-stage companies in the tech sector.
Par Equity
Based in Edinburgh, the EIS fund invests in early-stage businesses in the tech, healthcare, and energy sectors.
Parkwalk Advisors
Based in London, Parkwalk Advisors invests in early-stage companies in sectors such as science and tech, with a focus on those that are commercializing intellectual property and spun out of universities.
Portfolio Ventures
Based in London, Portfolio Ventures was founded in 2014 as a private investor network and has now invested from their EIS funds into a portfolio of 40+ companies across FinTech, InsurTech and SaaS.
Praetura Ventures
Based in Manchester, Praetura invests in early-stage businesses in the tech, healthcare, and education sectors.
Puma
Based in London, the private equity fund invests in early-stage companies agnostically.
Seneca
Based in Manchester, the investment management firm manages EIS funds and VCTs. They invest in various sectors, including healthcare, tech, and manufacturing.Science Creates Ventures is a Bristol-based venture capital firm.
Science Creates Ventures
An EIS Fund that invests in early-stage deep tech companies with a focus on tech that have the potential to improve healthcare, quality of life, and the environment around us.
Vala Capital
Based in London, the EIS fund invests in early-stage companies that are focused on sustainability and social impact.
Symvan Capital
Based in London, the EIS fund invests in early-stage companies in sectors such as tech, fintech and other B2B sectors.
Syndicate Room
Based in Cambridge, Syndicate Room’s Access EIS fund invests in 50+ angel backed companies a year. They are a sector agnostic investor.
The British Design Fund
Based in London, the EIS fund invests in early-stage companies making an impact, within the hardware space.
The Side by Side Partnership
Based in London, the EIS fund invests in early-stage companies that are focused on tech.
TriplePoint
Based in London, the investment management firm manages EIS funds and VCTs. They invest in a wide range of sectors focusing on companies making an impact.
Westhill Capital
Based in London, one of the firm's activities is managing an EIS fund and investing agnostically.
Fundraising in the next 6–9 months?
Get in touch with us here or reach me directly via email on jonathan@mountsideventures.com for a video call.
