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.
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
Cambridge - Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • HealthTech (& Fitness) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Analytics • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Developer tools • Consumer
Most Interested In
API E-Commerce Enterprise Gaming Health and Wellness Healthcare/Medtech Internet and Mobile Marketplace Productivity
Not Interested In
We are not a thesis driven firm. Show us why what you're building is a compelling opportunity for us and let's talk.
San Francisco Bay Area - New York, U.S.A. - U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • PropTech • Hospitality (& Events) • FinTech (& Financials services) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Real Estate (& Construction)
Matt Heiman is the Founder & serves as Chief Executive Officer at Diagonal View. He Co-founded & served as Chief Executive Officer at Mobix Interactive.
London, U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Businesses Solutions • DeepTech
Experienced Business Angel
Experienced Business Angel
Originally a biochemist and management accountant by training, my brother and I have been full-time, active, early-stage investors in the UK since 2000. Focussed on funding early-stage, UK and Singapore-based businesses and then following our investment across multiple investment rounds, we've achieved numerous exits - OC Robotics (2017 sale to GE Aviation), Bybox (seed investment to >£70M turnover without further funding - MBO in 2016 for £105M), Buzzmove (2014 seed investment sold to White Mountain Insurance Group in 2016) Omega Logic (Sale to Eposs Ltd), Pout (Sale to Catterton Partners) Commerce Decisions (Sale to QinetiQ) and Tagman (Sale to Ensighten). Co-investing with my brother, Michael, who also runs Cocoon Capital in South East Asia, I am actively involved in the management of many of our investments, including the raise of further financing. I am a non-exec and Investment Committee member at Playfair Capital and also sit on the Investment Committee of the UK's Angel CoFund. Am also a member of Cambridge Angels. Current UK investments include Trouva (2013 investment alongside Index Ventures/Octopus, $10M Series A in 2017), Ventrata, Reposit, Audiense (formerly Socialbro), Chattermill, Specle, Virtual IT, CareLineLive and several others. We are actively looking for early-stage, investment opportunities and continue to support current portfolio companies in further financing rounds. Outside of work I sit on the Management Board of the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (at the University of East Anglia), where I also chair the finance subcommittee. I am an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music. Specialties: Financial exec with broad experience in early-stage fundraising, non-executive roles, business consulting, practical business advice, sounding board to owner-managers, troubleshooting, accounting controls, profit enhancement, exit strategies, business valuations & acquisitions
London - New York - San Francisco Bay Area, U.S.A. - Canada - U.K.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Food & Beverage • Woman Focused
General Partner at Acronym Venture Capital
Most Interested In
Rubicon invests in mobile, big data, Enterprise Saas, FinTech, Hospitality Tech, Insurance Tech, B2B, B2C, AI&ML, PropTech and Direct to consumer companies
Not Interested In
We do not invest in MUSH: Municipality, Utility, Schools or Hospitals. No Edtech, no Healthcare, no energy of any kind & nothing highly regulated.
Joshua Siegel serves as General Partner at Rubicon Venture Capital. As General Partner - New York, Joshua leads Rubicon's New York office and oversees the day to day activities and operations of Rubicon including evaluating early stage technology companies seeking funding, assisting current portfolio companies with development and interaction with our angels, attracting LP capital, and development of our network. Joshua has extensive experience and connections in technology, real estate, luxury lifestyle brands, digital media, and consumer products. Previously, Siegel acted as a General Partner at Georgetown Angels, a global angel investment group he cofounded with Andrew Romans. He was also an early stage strategic advisor for startups and real estate concerns, and board member of The Founders Club, a venture capital equity exchange fund and broker of secondaries providing liquidity to entrepreneurs and early investors. Formerly CEO of Professional Connection Resources, an enterprise level marketing system for the legal community, Manager Eastern European Banking Systems at Citibank, Director of Market Intelligence at Citicorp Debt Capital Markets. Siegel received his BA degree from Boston University in Economics and Business Administration and received his MBA from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business in Finance and Entrepreneurship in 2000
Europe; United Kingdom; London United Kingdom; San Francisco California ; California - U.S.A., U.S.A.
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • IT (& TMT) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • Cosmetics (& Fashion) • IoT (& Wearables) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Gaming (& eSports) • Analytics • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Payments • SaaS • Mobile • Online Social • Consumer • Productivity
Andy Chung serves as Executive at Tiny.VC. Chung serves as Partner at The Nordic Web. Chung is a Co-Founder and serves as Board Member at Happyinc. He is an Angel Investor.
London - San Francisco Bay Area - California, U.S.A. - Germany - U.K. - Israel - France
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Businesses Solutions • FinTech (& Financials services) • Sales (& Marketing) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Analytics • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Developer tools
Most Interested In
Promising B2B technology companies. Key focus: SaaS / enterprise software, fintech, AI.
Not Interested In
Life sciences, capital intensive projects, B2C.
David Mes is a Co-Founder and serves as Managing Partner at Off The Grid Ventures. He also serves as a Venture Partner at US Invest LLC. He was a Co-Founder of Arc Venture Partners and served as a Managing Partner.
Palo Alto - London - California, U.S.A. - U.K. - Germany
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • Media • FinTech (& Financials services) • Retail (& E-Commerce) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Blockchain (& Cryptos) • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Future Of Work • Online Social • Woman Focused
Most Interested In
Transformational Software based ideas But the truth is - looking to be surprised
Not Interested In
non-digital things
London - Montreal, Canada - U.K. - Israel - U.S.A. - France
Software (Web Marketplace Saas..) • AgroTech • Businesses Solutions • Hardware (& Manufacturing) • IoT (& Wearables) • A.I. (& Big Data) • Web Security (& Privacy) • Analytics • Cloud Services (& Infrastructure) • Logistics (& Distribution)