# Top 50 Retail Startup Investors in United Kingdom in May 2026

## Venrex
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 12
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A
- Focus: E-Commerce, Fashion, Internet

Venrex Investment Management is a UK-based venture capital firm that backs creative Founders to launch and build innovative businesses.

## Foresight Group
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 9
- Stages: Private Equity, Seed
- Focus: Software, Manufacturing, Health Care

Foresight Group is a listed infrastructure and private equity investment manager which has been managing funds on behalf of institutions and retail clients for more than 35 years. Foresight has over £7.2 billion of assets under management across a number of funds on behalf of some of the world’s largest institutional investors, family offices,private and high net-worth individuals and retail investors. Foresight's investment strategies are underpinned by a strong environmental, social & governance (“ESG”) focus, which increasingly meets the demands of today’s investors and ensures we are consistently working towards creating a sustainable legacy for future generations.

## Fuel Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 7
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Software, SaaS, E-Commerce

Fuel Ventures - a leading early stage seed / growth stage EIS Fund based in London, UK. Investing in the most ambitious technology companies.

## Angels Den
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 6
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: E-Commerce, Mobile, Software

Angels Den is an angel-led investment platform that connects fast-growing companies with experienced investors.

## Mobeus Equity Partners
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 6
- Stages: Series A, Series B
- Focus: Software, Information Technology, Retail

Mobeus is a leading equity investor in UK-based SMEs. We partner with talented and determined management teams of businesses with strong growth potential.

## Praetura Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 6
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Software, Information Technology, Health Care

Praetura Ventures has been supporting entrepreneurs with more than money since 2011. Click to find out more about how we can help businesses and investors.

## The FSE Group
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Camberley, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 6
- Stages: Debt Financing, Seed
- Focus: Software, Information Technology, Manufacturing

FSE C.I.C. is an independent not-for-profit Community Interest Company (C.I.C.) whose surpluses are reinvested in the business, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners. FSE C.I.C. has a number of subsidiary companies to deliver its funds and services, which are collectively referred to as The FSE Group.All regulated activities are delivered through FSE Fund Managers Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Finance East Limited delivers funding for businesses based in the East of England region.

## True.
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 5
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A
- Focus: E-Commerce, Fashion, Retail

A unique model for investing, innovating & growing

## Balderton Capital
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 5
- Stages: Series A, Series B, Series C
- Focus: Software, FinTech, Financial Services

In the two decades since our founding, we have worked with hundreds of extraordinary European founders, and have raised eight funds totalling more than $3bn.

## Seedrs
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 5
- Stages: Seed, Equity Crowdfunding, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Software, E-Commerce, FinTech

Online investing opportunities in the best new startup businesses, and raise seed and angel investment, with top European equity crowdfunding site Seedrs.

## Business Growth Fund
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 5
- Stages: Series A, Private Equity
- Focus: Software, Information Technology, Manufacturing

BGF invests in hundreds of businesses from an evergreen balance sheet. But we offer more than just growth capital. Find out what makes us different.

## Octopus Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 5
- Stages: Series A, Seed, Series B
- Focus: Software, Health Care, FinTech

We provide venture capital investment for the people, ideas and industries that will change the world. Learn about what we do and the kind of founders we back.

## Forward Partners
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 5
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Software, E-Commerce, Information Technology

Forward Partners is a venture capital firm in London specialising in technology businesses focused on eCommerce, marketplace and applied AI early-stage startups.

## Livingbridge
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Private Equity, Seed
- Focus: Software, Information Technology, Consulting

Livingbridge is an independent private equity firm, based in the UK, the US and Australia. They have £1 billion ready to invest over the next 5 years and they invest anywhere from £2 million to £70 million in fast-growing companies. The Livingbridge team have been backing businesses together for twenty years.They have done it over a hundredtimes, turning many into household names both at home and abroad. They understand that for business owners it’s more than just business. They get growth.With UK offices in London, Birmingham and Manchester and an Australian office in Melbourne, Livingbridge have teams on the ground locally who can provide support to their portfolio companies on a daily basis.

## Active Partners
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Series A, Seed
- Focus: Retail, E-Commerce, Marketplace

Active Partners is a consumer-focused investment firm that partners with visionary founders to build the iconic brands of tomorrow.

## Monte Carlo Capital
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Monaco, Bayern, Germany
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Medical Device, Artificial Intelligence, Medical

Monte Carlo Capital was founded in 2009 by former investment banker Ian Sosso, winner of the 2019 “Best European Early Stage Investor” award from EBAN, the Brussels-based European trade association for business angels representing the 30,000 European angel community with a presence in 50 countries. Monte Carlo Capital combines the best featuresof business angels and venture capital. We invest via fund and via SPVs. We have been the Lead in many of our investments and are increasing our Co-Investments with some of the world’s leading VCs. Typical investments start at pre-seed/seed and we regularly follow on to Series A & Series B rounds. Monte Carlo Capital invests across sectors, including Saas, Fintech, DeepTech and Health Care, in the US, Europe and the UK.Our solo managing partner was a former investment banker, spending most of his career in Asia and the UK. He retired about 15 years ago, and set up his own angel group. After being quite successful, he decided to launch the fund (January this year).

## Gresham House Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Series A, Series B
- Focus: Machine Learning, Software, Artificial Intelligence

Gresham House Ventures is a growth equity investor, working with exceptional entrepreneurs and investing in high growth businesses.

## Hummingbird Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Gent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Series A, Seed, Series B
- Focus: Software, E-Commerce, Financial Services

Supporting Exceptional entrepreneurs. We value emotional intelligence as much as data, growing internal culture as much as growing revenue, and forming strong, personal bonds with founders. We recognize patterns where other don't.

## LAUNCHub Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Sofia, Grad Sofiya, Bulgaria
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Software, SaaS, Enterprise Software

LAUNCHUB is a leading early-stage venture capital fund focused on investing in startups in South-Eastern (SEE) and Central-Eastern (CEE) Europe. 

## Hambro Perks Ltd.
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Seed, Secondary Market, Series A
- Focus: Health Care, Software, Financial Services

Hambro Perks partner with founders and entrepreneurs to support growth businesses at all stages of investment cycle. Hambro Perks has specialised and dedicated investment teams, working across a number of funds. In addition to their flagship Venture, EIS and co-investment funds, Hambro Perks offers a number of specialist differentiated investmentstrategies, including Hambro Perks Environmental Technology, Special Situations, and Access, which invests in venture secondaries.

## MMC Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Series A, Seed
- Focus: Software, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning

MMC is a venture capital fund investing in early stage, high-growth UK companies. Our mission is to be involved in the creation of the global industry-leading companies of tomorrow.

## Paul Forster
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Software, FinTech, Financial Services

Paul Forster

## JamJar Investments
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: E-Commerce, Health Care, Food and Beverage

JamJar Investments is a venture capital firm that invest in high growth consumer brand businesses in both digital and non-tech.Its combination of operational, commercial and brand experience was honed over 14 years taking innocent from scratch to sale to Coca Cola for north of half a billion £. That journey means the company understand thejourney of entrepreneurs, the highs the lows, the challenges and some of the solutions. JamJar is the consumer Venture Capital fund run by the innocent drinks founders.

## Jeroen Sibia
- Type: Angel
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Angel
- Focus: Retail, Shopping, Social Shopping

Jeroen Sibia

## Nigel Wray
- Type: Angel
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: E-Commerce, Fitness, Internet

Nigel Wray is a highly successful entrepreneur, and has been a shareholder in several companies amongst others, Domino's Pizza, Carlton Communications and Singer & Friedlander. He also has a strong commercial background built in a range of business sectors.Saracens does a lot of excellent work in its local, north London community.Nigel still calls the area home, too - having attended Mill Hill School, he now lives in Totteridge.

## Simon Murdoch
- Type: Angel
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Series A, Seed
- Focus: E-Commerce, Software, Analytics

Simon set up online bookstore Bookpages in 1996 and sold it to Amazon in 1998. As VP Europe for Amazon, he managed huge growth from start-up through to multimillion turnover and hundreds of staff. As an Angel investor, he has invested in Shazam, been chairman of VideoIsland (now merged with and renamed LoveFilm, and purchased in Feb 2011 byAmazon.com), Zoopla! and Shutl (currently chairman).Simon founded and funded FriendsAbroad.com, a social network for developing language skills and contacts abroad which was successfully sold to Lesson Nine GmbH, operators of language learning site Babbel.com. Simon is currently CEO of StormForward, an e-commerce conversion consultancy which helpsonline retailers to increase their online salesand profits.

## Jenson Funding Partners
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed
- Focus: Software, Artificial Intelligence, Marketplace

Invest in Jenson EIS & SEIS Funds. Supporting Growth Capital. Diverse Portfolio of investment. Deployment in current tax year.

## Maven Capital Partners
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Glasgow, Glasgow City, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Series A, Seed
- Focus: Software, Information Technology, SaaS

Maven is one of the UK's leading private equity and investment firms. We provide essential capital and expertise to help businesses unlock their potential.

## Redrice Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A
- Focus: Fashion, Retail, E-Commerce

We support Founders creating premium consumer brands, platforms and related tech solutions.

## Atomico
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Series A, Series B, Series C
- Focus: Software, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence

Atomico invests in innovative technology companies around the world.

## Will Martin
- Type: Angel
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: FinTech, Financial Services, Software

Will Martin - Founder and Director @ Portfolio Ventures

## NVM Private Equity
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Series A, Private Equity
- Focus: Software, Biotechnology, Information Technology

NVM Private Equity Limited is an independently-owned firm of venture capital managers with over 20 years experience of investing in UK businesses. They manage five investment funds, four of which are Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and their funds under management exceed £175 million.They are a long-established investor focused on the UK regions,primarily targeting small management buy-outs and growth investment in businesses that are led by high quality incumbent management teams.They have a wide range of skills, interests and backgrounds. That means they bring a thorough and rounded approach to the investment process. They live and work in the UK regions, so are entrenched within their local business communities.

## Richard Fearn
- Type: Angel
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A
- Focus: Software, Advertising, Advertising Platforms

Richard started in his career in advertising but has since shifted his attention to start-ups. As an investor/advisor to over 50 early stage companies, including Sofar Sounds, Blaze, Dojo & What3Words, Richard has learnt a lot about what it takes to launch & grow a start-up. He also the co-founder of the ‘Friday Club London,’ a‘non-profit’ events company aimed at providing start-ups free access to senior marketing expertise. Since launching, over 250 start-ups have benefitted from the programme. And in exchange for their advice, industry mentors have had access to the UK’s brightest founders. In 2013 & 2014 Richard was named in BIMA’s ‘Hot 100’ list and in 2016 and 2017 short-listed for the Europas ‘Investor of the Year’ award.

## Downing Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Series A, Seed
- Focus: Software, Health Care, Information Technology

The opportunity for institutional investors to access leading UK early stage healthtech businesses

## LDC
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Private Equity, Secondary Market
- Focus: Software, Information Technology, Manufacturing

For over 40 years, LDC has been the trusted investment partner for ambitious management teams. We invest in a diverse range of businesses across every region and sector of the UK economy.

## Beringea
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Series A, Series B
- Focus: Software, E-Commerce, SaaS

Beringea is an international investor in high growth US & UK businesses. With expertise in multiple sectors we are at the forefront of emerging trends.

## South Central Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Belgrade, Vojvodina, Serbia
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Software, SaaS, Artificial Intelligence

South Central Ventures is dedicated to investments in startups, small and medium globally oriented technology companies in SE Europe.

## DN Capital
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Menlo Park, California, United States
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Series A, Series B, Seed
- Focus: Software, E-Commerce, SaaS

DN Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests primarily in Europe and North America. The firm focuses on companies that plan to establish operations on both sides of the Atlantic, and strives to help its companies build international businesses. Founded in 2000, the company has operations in London and Silicon Valley. DN Capital’sprevious funds are top performers and the firm is one of the lead investors in companies such as Endeca (sold to Oracle), Shazam (one of the world’s leading mobile app), Auto1 (world's largest used car marketplace), Purplebricks (IPO London) and Quandoo (sold to Recruit).

## Highland Europe
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Series B, Series C
- Focus: Software, E-Commerce, SaaS

Highland Europe invests in rapidly growing European internet, mobile, and software companies that address large market opportunities and have over €10 million in annualized revenues. They can provide acquisition finance or lead secondary transactions as well as making primary investments. Their capital enables management teams to accelerate growthand build a lasting, valuable business.Highland Europe was launched in 2012 and closely collaborates with Highland Capital Partners, an independent global venture capital firm with a twenty-seven year investment experience and offices in Boston and Palo Alto.

## Will Brooks
- Type: Angel
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Financial Services, FinTech, Software

Will Brooks - Founder & Director @ Portfolio Ventures

## Calculus Capital
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Series A, Post-IPO Equity
- Focus: Biotechnology, Software, Health Care

At Calculus Capital they are specialists in creating and managing tax efficient private equity funds for the individual. Funds that are ideal for today's market - offering generous tax benefits, and significant growth potential within a sensible risk profile.They look to make £2-5 million investments in established companies with provenmanagement teams and a successful product or service. Their entrepreneurial flair, combined with their experience and sound commercial judgement has resulted in a diversified investment portfolio and an impressive track record. In June 2013 Calculus Capital was top ranked in the prestigious Martin Churchill Tax Efficient Review for the 6th year in a row. The Government has recently shown its support for EIS funds, by maintaining the five generous tax benefits and widening the scope of EIS investments. These changes benefit Calculus Capital's rigorous and proven strategy. As a result they are experiencing their strongest pipeline of prospective investments yet.

## Tom Singh
- Type: Angel
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: E-Commerce, Software, SaaS

Tom Singh OBE is the Founder of New Look, a leading UK entrepreneur and active private investor with family interests spanning: retail, technology, real estate, renewable energy sectors and private equity. He currently holds the position of Non-Executive Board Member for New Look with over 900 stores worldwide which he founded in 1969.Inaddition to his responsibilities at New Look, Tom is a founding member of: the Social Investment Task Force, the Chairman of the UK Advisory Council for the British Asian Trust, and is a Trustee of the Pakhar Foundation. Tom is an active philanthropist and social investor and in recent years, has taken an increasing interest in the world of technology.

## Ballpark Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Advertising, Artificial Intelligence, Mobile

Ballpark Ventures is a small, boutique fund investing in early stage technology startups. Their partners are all successful entrepreneurs and at this stage, investing their own money.

## Concept Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A
- Focus: Software, SaaS, Artificial Intelligence

Concept Ventures is the UK's largest pre-seed fund. Founded in 2018, the firm has backed over 45+ companies changing how we Work, Play and Learn and focused only at the pre-seed stage.

## Adam Balon
- Type: Angel
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Series A, Series B
- Focus: Food and Beverage, CRM, Video

Mr. Commercial. Was the innocent co-CEO & sales director who led the international expansion to exit. Ex McKinsey UK & Jo'burg and former Virgin marketing manager. St John's college, Cambridge- economics.

## Wealth Club
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: Bristol, Bristol, City of, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Health Care, Medical, Medical Device

UK's leading investment service for high net worth and sophisticated investors. Tax-efficient investments, free guides, and exclusive investment opportunities.

## Calibrate Management
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Financial Services, Finance, FinTech

Calibrate is focused on long-duration capital investments. Our firm belief is that having a longer timeline for investing will generate superior returns. We do not believe in short term solutions.Our ethos is to operate with integrity and to add value across the spectrum of the investment cycle.Our mission is to provide the means to support,sustain, and enhance stakeholder value; to generate an environment aligned with value creation.Our business is founded upon our core values and a measured approach to risk management as our name suggests.

## Hoxton Ventures
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Software, Information Technology

Hoxton Ventures focuses on startups that either disrupt existing industries or invent entirely new market categories. Hoxton typically invests between $500,000 and $5 million into pre-seed, seed, and Series A stage companies, and follows its capital through the life of the company.
The firm is based in London and invests all across Europe.

## Fig VC
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Software, Financial Services, Retail

Fig VC is a venture capital group providing a pragmatic new approach to supporting and investing in high-growth early-stage companies.Founded five years ago, Fig brings together exciting early-stage companies and experienced, value-added investors.Fig receives more than 2,000 approaches a year from companies seeking funding. It does not focuson a particular sector and invests across a wide range of industries by engaging industry experts as active advisors. The current portfolio contains fitness equipment manufacturers, neuroscience attention analytics, Software as a Service (SaaS), food & beverage companies and medical devices.

## IW Capital
- Type: VC Fund
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Private Equity, Seed
- Focus: E-Commerce, Restaurants, Fashion

IW Capital is a private investment house offering both debt and equity investment opportunities into scaling SMEs with immense growth potentialIW Capital focuses on originating, structuring, managing and leading tax-efficient investment and senior debt opportunities for their expansive network of high net-worth individuals, ultra-high net-worthindividuals, family offices, wealth managers and IFAs. With an executive team boasting over 50 years’ collective experience in SME investment, IW Capital is renowned for its leading expertise in tax-efficient equity investment and providing debt funding to SMEs.

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