Welcome to the UK Innovation Seed Fund - Where Innovation Meets Opportunity
The UK Innovation Seed Fund provides UK investors access to a portfolio of high-growth-focused companies across the UK. Supporting the development of early-stage catalyst technologies, the UK Innovation Seed Fund seeks to support technology and life sciences entrepreneurs spinning out of some of the UK’s most revered universities and incubators.
The United Kingdom has long been a home to scientific innovation, a place that attracts and nurtures some of the most inspiring entrepreneurs. Our country boasts a legacy of groundbreaking ‘Catalyst Technologies,’ including specialisms such as life sciences, biopharma, biotech, DeepTech, advanced manufacturing, energy innovation and MedTech. These fields are not just at the frontier of scientific discovery but are also pivotal in shaping the future of our economy and society.
As well as seeking to support economic growth, technological innovation, and scientific success, the UK Innovation Seed Fund also allows appropriate UK investors to benefit from the considerable tax advantages under the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, including income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax relief, and Share Loss Relief.
Learn more about the potential generous tax relief benefits here
Unlocking Potential Across the UK
The UK Innovation Seed Fund is more than just a financial opportunity; it's a commitment to driving innovation and growth nationwide. With a mission to support start-ups in every corner of the country and boost early-stage venture capital across all nations and regions of the UK, we're paving the way for the next generation of game-changing technologies that benefit the entire UK economy.
By supporting start-ups from all regions, we're fostering a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem and ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of global innovation. Backed by Deepbridge's nationwide experience, the UK Innovation Seed Fund intends to significantly impact the identification and nurturing of talent and innovation throughout the UK.
Investment Strategy for Success
Our investment strategy targets catalyst technologies across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, leveraging partnerships with academia, incubators, and industry professionals. Focusing on key sectors such as MedTech, AI, robotics, and green technologies, we’re targeting technologies that cultivate scientific advancements, disrupt traditional methods, and create new opportunities for growth, thereby maximising investor opportunities.
Building on Deepbridge's extensive investing experience nationwide, the UK Innovation Seed Fund is designed to make a significant impact. To date, Deepbridge has supported spin-outs from 17 universities and made nearly 90% of its investments outside of London since 2020, demonstrating a clear commitment to identifying and nurturing talent and innovation wherever it may be found in the UK. Outcomes and accessibility. Similarly, advancements in quantum computing can unlock new efficiencies and capabilities in numerous fields, fostering sustainable growth and development.
Key Features
Minimum Investment
£25,000
Compliance Status
Alternative Investment Fund
Sector
Catalyst Technologies
Offer Size
Uncapped
HMRC Advance Assurance
Received before deployment into companies
Deployment
Within 18 months
Target Return
300p for every 100p invested
Target Timescale
5 – 10 years minimum
The Investment Team
Our UK Innovation Seed Fund investment team is dedicated to providing expert guidance and mentoring to our portfolio companies. At least one member of Deepbridge will take a board position in all our investee companies, ensuring they have an active and hands-on role in the development of the company. Further to this, our investment team is responsible for the extensive vetting and due diligence of prospective investee companies that are seeking funding.
Ian Warwick
Managing Partner
Dr. Savvas Neophytou
Partner & Chief Investment Officer
Kieran O'Gorman
Technical Partner
Dr. Andrew Round
Investment Director
Ben Carter
Investment Director, Head of Life Sciences
Anjali Roberts
Strategic Partnerships' Director
David Blake
Investment Director
Deepbridge Charges
Initial Fee: an initial investor fee of 3.5%, taken at the point of investment.
Performance fee: an incentive fee of 20% of cash returned, in excess of 120% of the funds invested. For clarification, once the Investor has received in cash the first 120 pence per 100 pence invested (ignoring any tax relief and representing a 20% Hurdle Rate on funds invested), any additional distributable cash will be paid as to 80% to the Investor and 20% to Deepbridge.