6 March 2020
For technology startups, having a clear route to your first or next round of investment is vital to keeping the company alive, as it proves its revenue streams and aims to scale. With a focus on where money came from last year, we look to the most active venture capital firms and the figures behind them.
Over $122 billion has been invested in European startups, according to Crunchbase data, across 48 countries in the last five years. And 2019 was a record year, with companies raising over $36 billion, with year-on-year growth of 25%.
The UK led the 2019 results with 1,425 deals, totalling $14.31 billion, which represents 40% of European funding last year. The largest venture funding rounds were also in London – firstly with OneWeb, which raised $1.25 billion in a round led by Softbank, quickly followed by Deliveroo with its $575 million Series G round.
Looking at London more closely, the names that keep coming up, according to LondonTechWatch, include:
- LocalGlobe
- MMC Ventures
- Downing Ventures
- Octopus Ventures
- Acension Ventures
- Kindred Capital
- Hambro Perks Ltd
- Balderton Capital
- Bethnal Green Ventures
- Augmentum Fintech
- Passion Capital
- Fuel Ventures
Known for their active investment in Series A & B rounds, LocalGlobe made 22 investments in London, while Downing Ventures made 16 investments in Europe with 14 of those based in London. Balderton Capital aims for early and later stage investments, with a total of 23 European investments with 8 in London. Octopus Ventures also topped the late stage charts with 13 London based investments, 6 of which were reported as late stage.
These investments in London and more broadly in the UK and Europe are encouraging for the year ahead. These successes not only bring capital into the tech ecosystem, but they also inspire belief and therefore attract more talent.
If you would like to discuss the funding of your business, please contact me or one of our local Corporate Finance advisers who will be able to help you on your way.
Alternatively, please use our contact form.
