Raising capital for a growing business can be challenging, but the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) offers a powerful solution. By attracting investors with generous tax reliefs, EIS funds help UK startups and scale-ups secure the funding they need.
With numerous active EIS funds, finding the right one for your business is crucial. In this guide, we explore 25 active EIS funds in the UK, their investment focus, and how your business can benefit from them. Whether you’re an early-stage tech startup or an innovative green energy company, there’s an EIS fund suited for you.
Not sure if EIS is the right investment scheme for your business? Explore our SEIS vs. EIS guide to determine the best fit for your growth stage.
What are EIS funds and how do they work?
EIS funds are professionally managed investment vehicles designed to channel capital from multiple investors into businesses that qualify under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). For businesses seeking to scale, these funds provide essential growth capital and come with many other benefits that can fuel your success.
Still in the early stages of your entrepreneurial journey? SEIS funds unlock tax incentives for your first investors, often making the difference between launch and liftoff. Check out our essential guide to “25 active SEIS funds in 2025” and secure the seed capital your startup needs before you’re ready for EIS investment.
Why consider EIS funds for your business?
Here’s how EIS funds can benefit your business:
- Equity-based funding: Secure investment without taking on the debt burden, keeping your financials more manageable.
- Supportive growth investors: Collaborate with investors who understand the challenges of scaling and are committed to your long-term success.
- Strategic guidance: Many EIS funds offer more than just capital. They provide mentorship, strategic advice, and valuable networking opportunities to help your business thrive.
How to secure EIS funding for your business
Securing EIS funding can be transformative for your business but requires careful preparation and a solid strategy. Here’s how you can boost your chances of attracting the right investment:
1. Confirm your EIS eligibility
To qualify for EIS funding, your business must meet specific criteria, such as:
- Operating in a high-growth sector
- Employing fewer than 250 full-time staff
- Holding less than £30 million in gross assets
Ensure your business meets all EIS requirements with our comprehensive SEIS/EIS Compliance Checklist to maximise your chances of approval.
2. Build a winning investment proposition
Investors seek businesses with clear growth potential and strong strategies. To stand out, make sure you have:
- A persuasive pitch deck
- A scalable and sustainable business model
- A detailed plan outlining how the investment will be used
3. Partner with EIS experts
Navigating the EIS process can be complex, but expert guidance can make all the difference. Consider working with professionals who can help you:
- Identify the right EIS funds
- Prepare professional, investor-ready documentation
- Manage compliance and tax structuring
By taking these steps, you can position your business as an attractive investment opportunity and maximise your chances of securing essential growth capital through EIS funding. A solid understanding of the SEIS & EIS application process will also help you navigate each stage with confidence.
25 active EIS funds in the UK (2025 edition)
Below is a list of 25 active EIS funds in the UK in 2025, categorised by sector focus. Each have their own areas of focus and goals, so be sure to approach those that best align with your business.
Technology & software EIS funds
- Sector focus: Scalable digital startups in marketplaces, platforms, SaaS and fintech, logistics, manufacturing, events, and the world of work.
- Investment approach: EIS fund targeting high-growth technology companies.
- Fuel Ventures provides hands-on support and a collaborative co-working space for 12 months following investment to help startups scale effectively.
2. Haatch
- Sector focus: B2B businesses with proven product-market fit and recurring customer contracts.
- Investment approach: EIS investments alongside Tier 1 funds in high-growth startups.
- Haatch invests in companies with efficient go-to-market strategies, helping them scale towards £100,000 in monthly recurring revenue within 12-18 months.
- Sector focus: Emerging technology companies with high growth potential.
- Investment approach: Early-stage funding with a minimum three-year holding period.
- Deepbridge provides hands-on investment management to support the commercialisation of innovative technologies, aiming for tax-efficient capital growth.
- Sector focus: Software companies serving B2B enterprise customers.
- Typical investment: Capital growth-focused EIS investments.
- Symvan also operates as an alternative investment fund, targeting exits within 5-7 years, with deployments at the end of each calendar quarter.
- Sector focus: Early-stage UK technology and science startups.
- Typical investment: Investing from Series A onwards in companies with proven execution and market fit.
- Oxford Capital backs ambitious founders with a competitive edge, investing in startups that disrupt large markets with transformative solutions.
- Sector focus: Tech companies with early product-market fit.
- Typical investment: £200k-£500k in rounds of £1.5m-£4m.
- Ascension builds a diversified portfolio by co-investing alongside top institutional VCs in high-growth startups with strong recurring revenue and scalable go-to-market strategies
- Sector focus: Technology and digital sector
- Typical investment: Capital growth investments
- Velocity backs disruptive startups that challenge traditional business models, aiming for capital growth through technological innovation.
Healthcare & Life Sciences EIS Funds
8. Downing Investment Management
- Sector focus: Energy and Infrastructure, property finance, Development capital, Wholesale Finance.
- Typical investment: Flexible funding through equity or debt investments
- Downing invests in businesses and assets that drive positive societal and economic impact.
- Sector focus: Life sciences & digital health, AI & software, clean tech, and deep tech.
- Typical investment: EIS funding with a minimum investment of £25,000 (£10,000 for Knowledge-Intensive EIS).
- Mercia builds diversified, high-growth portfolios with efficient capital deployment, investing within 12 months.
- Sector focus: SMEs, primarily in the North of England as well as the other parts of the UK.
- Typical investment: EIS growth fund
- Praetura’s ‘More Than Money’ approach provides hands-on support and industry expertise to help exceptional founders scale their businesses.
- Sector focus: Healthcare Innovation
- Typical investment: Growth-stage EIS funding
- Deepbridge backs disruptive ventures with strong founding teams and clear intellectual property strategies, leveraging its industry expertise.
12. Calculus Capital
- Sector focus: Technology, healthcare, and entertainment.
- Typical investment: £1m– £3m in high-growth UK-based or UK-linked businesses.
- With 25 years of experience, Calculus takes a hands-on approach, often securing board seats to support strategic growth. As an unapproved EIS fund, it invests flexibly over 12-18 months, with tax relief granted per investment.
Renewable Energy & Sustainability EIS Funds
- Sector focus: Early-stage companies tackling climate change through innovative solutions.
- Typical investment: £200k–£1.5m in EIS-eligible businesses, often co-investing with other investors.
- Green Angel Syndicate invests in innovative solutions with measurable carbon reduction impact, backing companies at MVP stage or TRL 5+.
- Sector focus: Early-stage climate-tech startups driving sustainability impact.
- Typical investment: Backing companies aligned with the EU Taxonomy to ensure genuine environmental sustainability.
- Sustainable Ventures supports climate-tech businesses, providing funding, mentorship, and tailored programmes to scale solutions that address critical sustainability challenges.
- Sector focus: Climate change mitigation, renewable energy, and sustainability solutions
- Typical investment: £200k–£1.5m in EIS-eligible businesses addressing climate change, often co-investing with other investors.
- Green Angel Ventures backs companies developing innovative solutions for long-term greenhouse gas reduction and environmental impact.
16. Earthworm
- Sector focus: Sustainable startups creating positive social and environmental change
- Typical investment: Early stage (varies by project)
- Earthworm backs early-stage companies focused on sustainability, aiming to generate positive environmental and social impacts.
Deep Tech & University Spinout EIS Funds
- Sector focus: University spinouts and technology companies across life sciences, quantum computing, advanced materials, genomics, cleantech, mobility, med-tech, big data, and AI.
- Typical investment: Oppurtunites EIS fund, co-investing alongside specialist funds.
- Parkwalk collaborates with academic founders and entrepreneurs to develop funding strategies that turn cutting-edge research into commercial success.
18. Britbots
- Sector focus: Early-stage UK companies in robotics, AI, and automation.
- Typical investment: Britbots EIS scale-up Fund, investing in ten Knowledge Intensive companies alongside co-investors.
- British Robotics supports businesses in developing AI-driven automation solutions that create autonomous product offerings.
Generalist & Sector-Agnostic EIS Funds
19. SFC Capital
- Sector focus: Deep Tech, B2B Software, Consumer
- Investment approach: Backing early-stage startups with high-growth potential through SFC all-star fund EIS
- SFC Capital supports ambitious entrepreneurs with initial traction, helping them scale through strategic investment and guidance.
20. Jenson Ventures
- Sector focus: Innovative businesses across all sectors.
- Typical investment: EIS funding up to £500,000, with follow-on investment at key milestones.
- Jenson Ventures backs founding teams with deep sector expertise, a clear vision, and a strong USP.
21. Octopus Ventures
- Sector focus: B2B Software, Bio, Climate, Consumer, Deep Tech, Fintech, and Health.
- Investment approach: Founder-focused venture capital, investing from idea stage through to growth.
- Octopus Ventures backs mission-driven founders creating positive impact, providing funding, expertise, and hands-on support to help businesses scale.
- Sector focus: High-Growth businesses across multiple sectors
- Investment approach: Open EIS portfolios supporting early-stage businesses.
- Blackfinch is committed to backing innovation, providing funding and expertise to help new firms scale and succeed.
23. Par Equity
- Sector focus: Enterprise software and deep tech companies in the North of the UK
- Investment approach: EIS and Knowledge-Intensive EIS Funds co-investing alongside angel groups and institutional partners.
- Par Equity backs high-growth startups aiming to deploy funds within 12 months and hold investments for 6-8 years.
- Sector focus: Profitable private companies across diverse industries
- Investment approach: Investing £5m-£15m in SMEs for MBOs, growth finance, and equity release.
- Rockpool has deployed over £745m since 2012, supporting 25+ management teams with flexible funding, including follow-on investments.
- Sector focus: Businesses across technology, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, leisure, and food & drink.
- Investment approach: Generalist EIS funding in diversified portfolios to mitigate risk.
- Guinness EIS provides scale-up capital, investing in 10+ companies per tranche, with quarterly closes and a target of full investment within the same tax year.
Take the next step with EIS funding
EIS funds offer an excellent funding route for high-growth businesses across the UK. With a range of active funds available, securing the right investment can elevate your business to the next level.
Need expert guidance?
Navigating the EIS landscape can be complex, but the right support can make all the difference. At Rise Accounting, we help businesses strengthen their financials and ensure compliance, making them investor-ready. From securing SEIS or EIS Advance Assurance to preparing the necessary documentation, our expert guidance covers every stage of the EIS process.
