SEIS Investors active in 2023
If you are at the start of your journey building your startup, this list of UK SEIS investors is for you.
What are they?
SEIS funds invest in startup companies that qualify for the UK government’s Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). The SEIS scheme is a generous tax relief programme that incentivises investors to fund early-stage companies to benefit from up to 50% income tax and loss relief, inheritance tax relief, and capital gains exemption upon exits.
Why are they worth exploring?
Over 2,000 companies raise funding under SEIS in the UK each year. Introduced by the government in 2012, building on the success of EIS funds, and expanded in 2022, they are one of the most popular ways for early-stage companies to raise funding from investors.
What are their investment criteria?
Startups must meet all the following criteria (with few exceptions):
- Based in the UK
- Raising £50k — £250k
- Commercial traction — there are no revenue requirements, companies are often pre-revenue
- Sectors — there are usually no fund-specific restrictions beyond the SEIS eligibility (which excludes some sectors such as FCA-registered companies, professional services, construction and real estate)
It would be rare for newly founded UK early-stage tech companies not to qualify for SEIS funding.
Looking for a warm intro?
We find that most SEIS investors prefer for founders to apply through their website, so review the list below to see which one might be most relevant.
Below is a complete list of 17 SEIS investors who have been active (or we expect to be active by the end of the tax year) in 2023.
Ascension Ventures
Ascension Ventures is a London-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in the tech and healthcare sectors.
British Design Fund
They are a London-based investment fund that provides tax-efficient funding to early-stage purpose-led startups in the design industry.
British Robotics Start-Up Fund
Britbots is a London-based investment fund that provides funding to early-stage robotics, automation and AI startups.
Charlotte Street Capital
Charlotte Street Capital is a UK-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in the tech sectors with a focus on B2B.
Deepbridge Capital
Deepbridge Capital is a Cheshire-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in the tech, life sciences, and renewable energy sectors. The SEIS funds focuses on the healthcare sector.
Fuel Ventures
Fuel is a London-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups disrupting traditional industries. They launched an SEIS fund recently and are now one of the most active SEIS funds.
Jenson Funding
Jenson Funding Partners is a UK-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups agnostically. The firm is headquartered in London.
Haatch
Haatch is a Lincolnshire-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in the tech sector.
Nova Growth
Nova Growth Capital was started in 2018 in Liverpool and invests via its SEIS and EIS fund. It invests in companies that have gone through it’s programme.
O2h Ventures
O2h Ventures is a Cambridge-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in the life sciences and AI sectors. Their SEIS focuses on drug discovery.
Oxford Capital Partners
Based in Oxford, the investment management firm manages EIS and SEIS funds. They invest in innovative businesses in sectors such as healthcare, education, and fintech.
Startup Funding Club (SFC)
SFC is a UK-based angel investment group and venture capital fund that invests in early-stage startups in a variety of industries, including tech, healthcare, and consumer goods. SFC is headquartered in London and are one of the most active SEIS investors.
Sustainable Ventures
Sustainable Ventures is a London-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in the sustainability and clean energy sectors.
Symvan Capital
Symvan is a London-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups focusing on the B2B space.
Vala Capital
Vala Capital is a London-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in the tech and life sciences sectors.
Velocity Technology
The Velocity Technology S(EIS) Fund is a London-based investment fund that provides tax-efficient funding to early-stage startups in the tech sector.
Worth Capital
Worth Capital is a London-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in a variety of industries, including tech, healthcare, and consumer goods.
Note I will update this list with those who made investments before the end of the tax year.
Raising your next round 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.
