We’re looking for companies focused on:
Data Science: Data science covers the platforms, sensors, devices and analytics that create and extract valuable data. These technologies are becoming as important to business as the internet. They rely on all the other pillars to exist but could radically alter them all once fully harnessed.
Cloud: The Cloud’s computing power, lower implementation risks and attractive storage costs are enabling innovative startups to be disruptive and bring new, lower cost ways of doing things to market, faster than ever before. Startups in this space have an incredibly large opportunity in front of them and those that succeed become very valuable.
Connectivity: Addressing the more-for-less paradigm of next generation communications. Network infrastructure and device technology which can reduce ownership cost for the operator and at the same time meet the customer demand for ever increasing mobility and ubiquity. With our team’s background at Vodafone, we pride ourselves on providing invaluable support to entrepreneurs.
Security: Cybercrime is growing. Tougher firewalls, rigorous policing and strict policy enforcement are insufficient and increasingly unaffordable. Enterprise security breaches are on the increase, from inside and outside, aggravated by the trend of bring your own devices. Companies which can build security systems that are equipped to protect us are pivotal to the future.
Where we invest
Anywhere in Europe and Israel. Our team is spread throughout the UK, but we’ve got portfolio companies in Belgium and Israel, and we love to travel!
When we invest
Typically between £1-5m (or between Seed and Growth stage). In simple terms, we look for companies that have gained some validation of technology and/or product fit from potential long-term customers. We want to see that you’re poised to enter a large and growing market.
How we invest
We do our own due diligence on the companies we invest in. Depending on the complexity of your technology, we take around three months to make a decision and build conviction around the investment. Given we’re investing for the long-term (10+ years) we want to be comfortable that we’re the right partner for you. We provide feedback to every company that gets in touch.
What are we looking for?
- Technology: Characterised by defensible IP, science-based innovation, lowering costs and increasing performance
- Team: Technically gifted and entrepreneurial teams with the potential to build a company of global scale
- Market: Detailed insight leading to a go-to-market plan for a highly attractive and fast-growing global market
- Customers: Clear validation or route to validation of the technology’s USPs from long-term potential customers
- Productisation: Can deliver a replicable product or service in a scalable way, starting with PoC validation
- Ambition: Focused on winning a significant share of the identified market on the road to building a £500m+ valued company