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, U.K. - France
Businesses Solutions • Sales (& Marketing) • Mobile Apps
CEO and Co-founder at BlaBlaCar
Co-Founder & CEO
Nicolas Brusson is a Co-Founder of BlaBlaCar and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. He leads the company's global operations and international growth. He drives BlaBlaCar's corporate development and has successfully led the company's various rounds of financing and acquisitions. He is a strong supporter of autonomous local teams and acqui-hire, a strategy he implemented to expand BlaBlaCar's footprint to a global scale. Prior to joining BlaBlaCar, he worked for several startups in Silicon Valley during the 2000 boom, before moving on to executive and investor roles, including that of being a Venture Capitalist in London. He holds an MBA in Finance & Entrepreneurship from INSEAD, a Masters in Optics from Ecole Superieure d'Optique and a Masters in Applied Physics from Paris XI University. He also holds a Ph.D. in Optoelectronics from the Universite Paris Sud. He is also an active angel investor. He also serves as Board Member at SIDE Capital.
London United Kingdom - U.K., United Kingdom
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Education • Businesses Solutions • A.I. (& Big Data) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Human Resources • Mobile Apps
Partner at Kindred Capital VC
Chrysanthos Chrysanthou serves as Partner at Notion. He served as Vice President at Accel Partners. He joined Accel in 2014 from Amazon Web Services where he led Business Development efforts of the startup ecosystem, across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to AWS he was COO of Living PlanIT, a B2B startup technology company enabling the development of intelligent and sustainable urban-scale environments. Previously, Chrys worked at Cisco for approximately 10 years where he led Services-related investments and acquisitions worldwide. At Cisco he also worked in the IT and Operations departments leading teams across large scale business process re-engineering and enterprise software migration projects. He has lived and worked in Silicon Valley, UK, Portugal and India and led projects in the Middle East, South Africa, China and Singapore. Chrys holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of California, San Diego and an MBA from the Judge Business School at Cambridge University.
, United Kingdom
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Cosmetics (& Fashion) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Gaming (& eSports) • AR/VR • Food & Beverage • Mobile Apps • SaaS • Investment Management • Consumer
London based Angel Investor. Previously GP at Index Ventures
London based Angel Investor. Previously GP at Index Ventures
London, U.K. - France
Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Energy • IoT (& Wearables) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Logistics (& Distribution) • Payments • Mobile Apps • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Consumer
Tech entrepreneur & investor
Serial entrepreneur & tech investor
Romain Afflelou is a Co-Founder at Cosmo Connected and also serves as its President and Chairman. He spearheaded the digital strategy of Alain Afflelou Group before becoming an investor in numerous start-ups. He uses his fine-tuned analysis skills to support and invest in innovative start-ups. In addition to being a major shareholder and Chairman of Cosmo Connected, he is Board member of Multiwave. He is also an investor in Convargo, Cityscoot, Sharpr and Officeriders, Epicery.
, United Kingdom
Retail (& E-Commerce) • Mobile Apps
Barrister at Erskine Chambers
Barrister at Erskine Chambers
Paris Ile - de, France - U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Education • Businesses Solutions • A.I. (& Big Data) • Gaming (& eSports) • Mobile Apps • SaaS
Principal at Leeway Ventures
, 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.
London United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • Education • Entertainment (& Sports) • CleanTech • Mobile Apps • SaaS • Productivity
occasional founder, investor and co-conspirator
Founder @jawbone (Aliph), State • Investor @general-assembly, @luluvise • Studied at @stanford-university
New York - Los Angeles - London - LatAm (Latin ), U.K. - Israel - U.S.A.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • A.I. (& Big Data) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Medical Devices (& Hospital Services) • Mobile Apps • Healthcare (& Wellness) • Consumer • Woman Focused
Most Interested In
I'm a serial entrepreneur and active angel investor. I live in London but invest globally, usually at pre-seed and seed. Having founded and run Wonga to annual profitability of over $100 million, Fintech is my natural base but I also invest in related branded consumer offerings, decisioning systems, AI, crypto, blockchain, insurance, property tech and digital health. Im lucky enough to have invested early and helped the founders of Transferwise, CityMapper, Nested, Habito and PurpleBricks
Not Interested In
I'm personally not as interested in ad tech, media or gaming businesses and tend to avoid these spaces.
London United Kingdom - United Kingdom - U.K., United Kingdom
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Hospitality (& Events) • BioTech • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Sales (& Marketing) • Entertainment (& Sports) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Gaming (& eSports) • Advertising • Analytics • AR/VR • Developer tools • Insurance (& InsurTech) • Payments • Mobile Apps • Aerospace (& Defense) • SaaS • Investment Management • Mobile • Online Social • Consumer • Productivity
Early Stage Tech Investor & Co-founder at the Friday Club London
Director at 'The Friday Club London.' Ad-man. Angel investor. Ex Break-dancer. Dad of two boys into Barbie, jelly & fighting. The boys. Not me.