BGF Ventures

BGF Ventures

BGF Ventures, based in the UK, drives innovation in climate tech, deep tech, and life sciences through early-stage investments in tech firms like Gousto and New Voice Media. Launched in 2015 with £200 million, it focuses on minority stakes to support sustainable growth, managed by industry experts like Harry Briggs and Simon Calver.

INDUSTRIES
Enterprise Software
Media
Mobile
eCommerce
StAGES
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
COUNTRY
United Kingdom

Overview

BGF Ventures, a division of BGF, stands as the UK’s leading venture capital firm with a dedicated focus on early-stage UK technology companies. Launched in September 2015 with a substantial commitment of £200 million, BGF Ventures aims to foster innovation and growth within the UK's tech landscape. This initiative is part of BGF's broader mission as the UK's most active growth capital provider, specializing in minority investments and value creation for small and mid-sized businesses.

The fund is managed by a dedicated team of industry veterans including Harry Briggs, Simon Calver, and Rory Stirling, who steer its strategic investments. BGF Ventures has an impressive portfolio of investments in tech-driven firms, with notable names such as Gousto, Tapdaq, and New Voice Media. Its broader technology investments also feature companies like Unruly Media, The Exchange Lab, Bullitt Group, and Skyscape.

BGF Ventures is unique not only for its substantial financial commitment but also for its robust support framework designed to help early-stage companies scale. The fund focuses on sectors that include climate technology, deep tech, and life sciences, addressing key future-oriented industries. The investment model adopted by BGF is distinctive in its patient approach, avoiding controlling equity stakes, thus allowing founders to retain control of their companies. This model supports long-term, sustainable growth and fosters enduring partnerships with entrepreneurs across various regions of the UK and Ireland.

Since its inception, BGF has invested nearly £4 billion in patient, minority capital, including over £1 billion in follow-on funding. This capital is complemented by significant value creation support tailored to meet the specific needs of its portfolio companies. This extensive financial backing and expert guidance have enabled hundreds of businesses across diverse sectors—such as education, technology, waste management, advanced tech, AI & data, and healthcare—to unlock their full growth potential.

Unique to BGF's approach is its deep integration within local and global business communities, with experienced teams spread across every region of the UK and Ireland. This network facilitates strong partnerships and drives meaningful contributions to the growth economy. With a portfolio that spans from family businesses and university spinouts to globally recognized brands, BGF Ventures prides itself on being a strategic partner that delivers far more than just capital.

Potential partners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to engage with BGF Ventures for a partnership built on understanding, long-term support, and a flexible investment approach. With a history of successful exits and substantial growth stories, BGF Ventures remains committed to fueling the engine of growth within the UK's vibrant tech sector.

Resources
We help startups pitch investors
Slidebean Pitch Deck cover

Our team can help review your pitch deck, forecast your financials, and answer all your questions about pitching BGF Ventures

Learn More
Prepare a Pitch Deck
Gallery of pitch decks

Our pitch deck template will guide you through the requirements of an Accelerator-ready presentation.

Create a Pitch Deck
Funding Rounds Explained

Investors similar to BGF Ventures

MrPink VC

|

Industry Agnostic

MrPink VC, based in Punta del Este, Uruguay, enriches the founder experience in South America, focusing on Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, and Chile. They invest in unproven entrepreneurs in education, work, food, blockchain, AI, and diversity, offering $50k-$150k seed capital and $200k-$500k for Series A, ensuring swift, founder-friendly investments.

Pritzker Group Venture Capital

|

Artificial Intelligence
eCommerce
FinTech

This firm focuses on investing in exceptional entrepreneurs in the U.S. Their approach is centered around long-term, multi-stage investing with a focus on the consumer, digital health, and enterprise industries.

Y Combinator

|

Artificial Intelligence
BioTech
FinTech
HealthTech
Industry Agnostic

Y Combinator, a top seed accelerator in the U.S., invests $120,000 in diverse early-stage startups twice a year, focusing on sectors like AI, Bio Tech, Fin Tech, and Health Tech. Offering extensive mentorship, networking through Bookface, and resources, YC's alumni include Dropbox and Airbnb. Located in Mountain View, YC has revolutionized early-stage funding.

henQ

|

Industry Agnostic

HenQ, a venture capital fund based in the Netherlands, invests €1M-€10M in early-stage B2B software startups across Europe, focusing on often-overlooked sectors. They target unique business models, offer strategic support in hiring, fundraising, and target setting, and maintain a portfolio that avoids direct competition among companies. HenQ ensures quick turnaround times and a higher follow-on funding success rate.

General Catalyst

|

EdTech
Enterprise Software
FinTech
HealthTech
eCommerce

General Catalyst, a prominent venture capital firm with offices in San Francisco, Palo Alto, NYC, London, Berlin, and Cambridge, invests in early-stage businesses across sectors like Consumer, Enterprise, Fintech & Crypto, and Health Assurance. They support founders to create transformative companies like Stripe, Airbnb, and Warby Parker.

Slidebean logo
© Copyright 2024 Slidebean Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙️ in New York City and San Jose