The United Kingdom has a thriving startup ecosystem, particularly centered in London, which is a major global tech hub. As of 2023, the UK is home to approximately 30,000 startups. The UK government supports innovation through initiatives like the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), which provide tax incentives for investors. In 2022, UK startups raised over £30 billion in venture capital.
The UK startup ecosystem is substantial, with around 30,000 startups as of 2023. In 2022, UK startups raised over £30 billion in venture capital, indicating strong investor confidence and a robust market for entrepreneurial ventures. This financial support is critical for the growth and sustainability of new businesses.
Key strengths of the UK market include a strong financial sector, world-class universities, and a diverse talent pool. The UK is known for its strengths in fintech, healthtech, and creative industries. London is a hotspot for fintech innovation, housing numerous unicorns such as Revolut and TransferWise.
London remains the central hub for startups in the UK, particularly excelling in fintech and creative industries. The city is home to numerous high-growth startups and unicorns. Its position as a global financial center attracts significant venture capital and talent.
Other cities like Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cambridge are making significant contributions to the startup landscape. Manchester is known for its tech and media industries, Edinburgh excels in fintech and AI, while Cambridge is renowned for life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
The UK startup ecosystem benefits from a robust support network of accelerators, incubators, and co-working spaces. Programs like Tech Nation and Innovate UK have been pivotal in fostering a supportive environment for startups, providing access to resources, mentorship, and funding.
Challenges for UK startups include uncertainties related to Brexit, which have impacted investor confidence and regulatory frameworks. The changing economic landscape requires startups to navigate new trade agreements and regulatory environments, which can be complex and uncertain.
Despite challenges, the UK remains a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, with significant growth potential. The UK's strategic location and strong ties with international markets provide startups with opportunities for global expansion. Additionally, the emphasis on sustainability and green technology is driving innovation in sectors such as clean energy and sustainable transportation.
The UK startup ecosystem is characterized by its resilience and adaptability. Programs like Tech Nation and Innovate UK support continuous development. The emphasis on sustainability and innovation positions the UK as a key player in the global startup ecosystem. As the UK continues to adapt to post-Brexit realities, its startup ecosystem is poised for further growth and development.
London United Kingdom - U.K., United Kingdom
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Hospitality (& Events) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Developer tools
Investor and Entrepreneur
Duncan Jennings is a Co-Founder of Hoop. Jennings is the Founder and Managing director at eConversions.
London - Stamford Connecticut, U.S.A.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Hospitality (& Events) • Education • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Gaming (& eSports) • Real Estate (& Construction)
Early stage tech investor.
Most Interested In
We really are happy to see anything! Most important to us is to be the First Money In. All you need is some evidence of CUSTOMER PULL.
Singapore; London United Kingdom - U.K., U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • Media • Businesses Solutions • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Advertising • Analytics • Payments • Mobile • Online Social • Consumer
Kelvin Au served as Chief Financial Officer at Metail. With a first class Computer Science degree from Imperial College and a geek at heart, he has spent the past decade immersing himself in the world of technology and venture capital, having been a proud investor in Metail since 2008. Prior to Metail, Kelvin was a venture investor at DFJ Esprit, one of Europe's largest technology VC funds focusing on the internet, software and mobile sectors. Kelvin also worked at Credit Suisse and HSBC where he provided M&A and financing advice to technology companies globally, and at IBM responsible for product development activities of their proprietary Java platform.
Salt Lake City - Austin - Chicago - Boston / New - Seattle / Portland - New York - Los Angeles / Southern California - San Francisco Bay Area, U.S.A.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Developer tools • Logistics (& Distribution) • Payments • Mobility
Investment Director at Cathay Innovation
Most Interested In
Future of work, enterprise software, logistics, marketplaces, and fintech
Not Interested In
Media/content, gaming, medical devices
Geneva, U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • IT (& TMT) • Hospitality (& Events) • Media • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Entertainment (& Sports) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Gaming (& eSports) • Analytics • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Developer tools • Future Of Work • Food & Beverage • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Robotics • Real Estate (& Construction) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Investment Management • Life Science • Mobile • Mobility • Nanotechnology • Oncology • Online Social • Consumer • Pharmaceutical (& Medicine) • Woman Focused
Index Ventures is a venture capital firm which specializes in seed, early stage, later stage and growth capital investments. The firm focuses on investing in companies based in Europe, operating in the biotechnology, retail, clean technology, media and life sciences sectors. It was founded in 1996 and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Index Ventures invests in multi-stage, transformative companies who are willing to challenge convention. The firm is especially dedicated to the information technology, clean technology, and life science sectors. They back the best and most ambitious entrepreneurs with a tight-knit collaborative partnership that retains a shared mission of seeing opportunity instead of obstacles. Index Ventures has teamed up with exceptional entrepreneurs in 39 cities around the world and have helped them grow into new regions. They provide a full-service partnership where they bring a lot of experience and expertise to the table.
In November 2022, they launched their second seed fund Origin II, a $300M fund focus on early-stage investing. It is $100m larger than Origin I, and is a highly collaborative fund, with seed-specific support, that works alongside solo GPs and angels, to help companies be best positioned for success.
, U.K. - Israel
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Other • IT (& TMT) • Hospitality (& Events) • Media • BioTech • AgroTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Cosmetics (& Fashion) • IoT (& Wearables) • CleanTech • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Gaming (& eSports) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Future Of Work • Food & Beverage • Impact • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Material Science • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Robotics • Real Estate (& Construction) • SaaS • DeepTech • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Investment Management • LegalTech • Online Social • Consumer • Woman Focused
Talis Capital is a Venture Capital investment family office funded by a group of entrepreneurs. Focused on backing emerging technologies, Talis has completed over $500m worth of transactions and the portfolio includes Darktrace, Onfido, iwoca, Pirate Studios, Luminance, and Oh My Green. Talis concentrates on building long term partnerships and leverages their LP network to help their companies and create opportunities. The team looks for innovative companies with sustainable business models, working with them to unlock their future growth. The firm is based in London, United Kingdom and was founded in 2009.
, U.S.A. - U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Hospitality (& Events) • Media • Education • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Entertainment (& Sports) • IoT (& Wearables) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Advertising • Analytics • Autonomous vehicles (& Cars) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Developer tools • Future Of Work • GovTech • Human Resources • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Messaging • Aerospace (& Defense) • Real Estate (& Construction) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Mobility • Nanotechnology • Online Social • Consumer • Pharmaceutical (& Medicine) • Woman Focused
Founded in 2009, Capital Factory is an accelerator firm based in Austin, Texas. The firm also invests in seed, early-stage and late-stage rounds.
, Luxembourg - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland, Mo
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Hospitality (& Events) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Cosmetics (& Fashion) • Entertainment (& Sports) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Messaging • Mobile Apps • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Investment Management • Mobile • Mobility • Online Social • Consumer • Productivity
Mangrove Capital Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in the internet, software, mobile, automotive, e-commerce, multimedia services, security, media, network, infrastructure, SaaS and wireless communication sectors. The firm was founded in 2000 and is based in Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
San Francisco California, U.S.A. - U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Cosmetics (& Fashion) • IoT (& Wearables) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Developer tools • Future Of Work • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Messaging • Robotics • Real Estate (& Construction) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Mobility • Consumer • Woman Focused
Most Interested In
API Developer Tools E-Commerce Education Enterprise Entertainment Food and Beverage Future of Work Gaming Government Technology Hardware Health and Wellness Healthcare/Medtech Industrial IoT Productivity Proptech/Real Estate Robotics SaaS Social Supply Chain/Logistics Transportation Travel/Hospitality
Not Interested In
We tend to avoid healthcare-oriented biotech (patient facing).
London United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • Education • Entertainment (& Sports) • CleanTech • Mobile Apps • Productivity
occasional founder, investor and co-conspirator
Founder @jawbone (Aliph), State • Investor @general-assembly, @luluvise • Studied at @stanford-university
Salt Lake City - Boston - Seattle - Los Angeles - San Francisco Bay Area - California, U.S.A. - Canada - Europe: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Icelan
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • Businesses Solutions • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Online Social • Consumer
Principal at Index Ventures
Most Interested In
New consumer services or experiences. Workflow applications that are adopted by the end-user, especially in non-desk environments.
Not Interested In
Healthcare / life sciences, infrastructure, security.