15 most active VCs in the UK

From Seedcamp to Atomico: Meet the UK’s Most Active VCs Backing the Next Unicorns

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2025 could be a big year in UK venture.

AI continues to dominate, with significant investments flowing into companies leveraging proprietary datasets and applying AI to biotech, healthcare, and industrial automation.

Government engagement in tech, particularly in defense and public health, is set to intensify, potentially spurring innovation if implemented with focus rather than fanfare.

Compute technologies are also in the spotlight, driven by the limits of Moore's Law and escalating AI demands. Innovations in quantum computing, in-memory systems, and photonic chips are expected to attract robust funding.

Sustainability remains critical, with cleantech and circular economy startups gaining traction.

Fintech innovation continues, bolstered by open banking frameworks and embedded finance solutions that cater to underserved demographics.

Here’s a roundup of the most active venture capital funds in the UK - who did I miss?

  1. Fuel Ventures
    Specializing in pre-seed to Series A funding, Fuel Ventures leverages its founder-led experience to back high-growth startups. With over 180 investments, they focus on scaling innovative companies across sectors.

  2. Speedinvest
    Austria-based Speedinvest is a pan-European fund deeply integrated into the UK market. Its dedicated sector teams in fintech, SaaS, and healthtech offer hands-on operational support, with 100+ investments to date.

  3. Seedcamp
    London-based Seedcamp is a cornerstone of early-stage European tech, boasting 491 investments. Known for backing Revolut and Wise, it leads pre-seed and seed rounds with a collaborative approach.

  4. Balderton Capital
    With a $5.7B fund, Balderton supports founders from seed to IPO, emphasizing a holistic approach to founder well-being and company growth. Its portfolio includes market leaders like Revolut and Darktrace.

  5. LocalGlobe
    A stalwart in seed funding, LocalGlobe also extends its reach to later-stage investments via its Solar fund. With 341 investments, it's renowned for backing unicorns like Monzo and Wise.

  6. Octopus Ventures
    Managing £1.8B, Octopus Ventures focuses on solving global challenges in sustainability, healthcare, and empowerment. Its extensive portfolio spans 327 companies across multiple funding stages.

  7. Anthemis Group
    A pioneer in fintech innovation, Anthemis backs mission-driven startups embedding finance into their core. With over 222 investments, it champions diversity and equitable financial ecosystems.

  8. MMC Ventures
    Research-led MMC Ventures specializes in AI and data-driven businesses, fostering long-term partnerships with 180+ investments. Its focus includes enterprise AI, data infrastructure, and cloud technologies.

  9. Atomico
    Founded by Skype co-founder Niklas Zennström, Atomico has a global focus but strong UK roots. Its 200+ investments range from early-stage to growth, supporting transformative founders.

  10. Felix Capital
    With a creative edge, Felix Capital invests at the intersection of technology and lifestyle. Its portfolio of 95 investments reflects its focus on digital commerce and connected life.

  11. Frontline Ventures
    Frontline specializes in B2B software startups, helping them expand into the U.S. With a 75% Seed-to-Series A success rate, it excels at scaling globally ambitious startups.

  12. firstminute capital
    Backed by 100+ unicorn founders, firstminute capital focuses on seed-stage investments. Its founder-first ethos has led to 109 investments across diverse sectors.

  13. Notion Capital
    A SaaS and cloud specialist, Notion Capital partners with companies scaling from $1M to $100M ARR. With 161 investments, it supports founders with deep domain expertise.

  14. Downing Ventures
    Known for its focus on societal impact, Downing Ventures backs startups in healthcare, renewable energy, and other essential sectors. Its portfolio of 166 investments highlights its commitment to responsible growth.

  15. Index Ventures
    A global powerhouse, Index Ventures supports startups at all stages. With over 300 investments, it combines deep networks with a founder-first approach, backing companies like Deliveroo and Adyen.

Who did I miss? Tags welcome in the comments 👇

And that's a wrap! Tune in for Tuesday deep-dives & Sundays breakfast roundups.

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🙋 Mike