Securing early-stage investment is one of the biggest challenges for UK startups. The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) is a powerful funding avenue that provides financial backing and attracts investors with generous tax incentives. If you’re an entrepreneur looking for funding, tapping into SEIS funds could be your game-changer.
But where do you find the right SEIS fund for your startup?
In this guide, we’ll explore 25 active SEIS funds in the UK, including who they are, what they offer, and how your business can access them.
What are SEIS funds?
SEIS funds are a lifeline for early-stage businesses in the UK, providing a streamlined way to secure essential capital. These investment vehicles pool money from multiple investors and allocate it to qualifying startups, delivering a win-win for businesses and investors.
Key benefits for startups:
- Access to funding: Secure up to £250,000 in vital early-stage capital.
- Investor appeal: Attracting investors is significantly easier with up to 50% SEIS tax reliefs.
- Strategic support: Beyond funding, many SEIS funds offer mentorship and business growth guidance.
By approaching organisations with dedicated SEIS funds, startups gain the resources they need to thrive and benefit from expert advice and a network of committed investors.
Not sure whether SEIS or EIS is the right choice for your business stage? Check out our comprehensive guide on SEIS vs EIS: Which one is right for you? to understand the key differences and determine the best option for your funding strategy.
When should you approach SEIS funds?
Timing is everything when seeking SEIS investment. SEIS funds are designed for early-stage businesses, typically at the idea or MVP (Minimum Viable Product) stage. If you’re planning to raise funds, make sure you’re reaching out at the right time.
Before approaching SEIS funds, ask yourself:
Have you secured SEIS Advance Assurance?
Most investors won’t consider your startup without it. SEIS or EIS Advance Assurance from HMRC reassures them that their investment will qualify for SEIS tax relief.
Is your business vision clear?
Investors want to see a well-defined market opportunity, early signs of demand, and a scalable model.
How to secure funding from SEIS funds
Securing SEIS funds is an exciting step for any early-stage business looking to accelerate growth. Here’s how you can navigate the process effectively:
1. Ensure your business qualifies for SEIS
To be eligible for SEIS funding, your business must meet these key criteria:
- UK-registered company
- Trading for less than 3 years
- Gross assets under £350,000
- Fewer than 25 full-time employees
Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, you’ll need to navigate the SEIS/ EIS application process and the compliance requirements. Understanding what documentation HMRC expects can be challenging , our guide on SEIS compliance statement provides a comprehensive checklist to keep your funding journey on track.
2. Prepare a strong investment proposition
SEIS investors look for businesses with potential. Here’s what they focus on:
- Scalable business model
- Clear market opportunity
- Compelling pitch deck and business plan
A well-prepared proposition sets you apart and demonstrates your startup’s growth potential.
3. Apply to SEIS funds strategically
Once your pitch is ready, apply to SEIS funds that align with your industry and business goals. Tailoring your approach increases your chances of securing the investment you need.
25 active SEIS funds in the UK to boost your startup journey
Below, we’ve curated a list of 25 SEIS funds in the UK, organised by their focus areas and investment preferences, to help you find the perfect match for your startup.
1. SFC Capital
- Focus areas: Tech, AI, FinTech, GreenTech
- Investment range: £100,000 to £3,00,000
- Why choose them: Boasting a strong track record, SFC Capital has committed over £100m to more than 400 startups. They provide not only capital but also hands-on support and mentoring.
- Focus areas: Digital technology, SaaS, eCommerce
- Investment range: Up to £2,50,000.
- Why choose them: Jenson SEIS Fund offers follow-on investment opportunities and strategic guidance to help startups scale efficiently.
3. Haatch
- Focus areas: B2B SaaS, Digital Marketplaces, Subscription Models
- Investment range: £100,000 to £250,000 with an additional £85,000 institutional check.
- Why choose them: With a team of experienced entrepreneurs, Haatch provides practical guidance to help startups grow sustainably.
- Focus areas: B2C/B2SME Technology
- Founder benefit: Offers non-dilutive marketing credit funding via Velocity Juice, supporting startups beyond SEIS.
- Why choose them: Velocity SEIS Fund is dedicated to supporting cutting-edge tech startups, providing them with tailored support.
- Focus areas: HealthTech, FinTech, EdTech
- Investment range: £180k-£300k per startup within a £500k-£1.5m round size
- Why choose them: Awarded ‘Seed VC of the Year‘ in 2022, Ascension offers a supportive startup growth ecosystem.
- Focus areas: B2B SaaS, FinTech, Consumer Software, Digital Health
- Investment range: Pre-Seed to Seed Stage
- Why choose them: Connect Ventures invests in startups with opinionated products and helps refine their processes for scalability.
- Focus areas: SaaS, Open-Source, Data-Driven Ventures
- Investment range: Pre Seed to Seed Stages.
- Why choose them: Crane Venture Partners combines financial backing with operational guidance across Europe and the US.
- Focus areas: Tech companies with ambitious, scalable potential.
- Investment range: Pre-Seed and Seed Stage.
- Why choose them: First Monday VC connects founders with experienced investors, industry experts, and hands-on strategic support.
9. Episode 1
- Focus areas: B2B Software Companies
- Investment range: £250k and £2m, with 10-20% ownership for lead cheques and 5-10% for follower cheques.
- Why choose them: Episode 1 offers practical guidance to startups during their critical “zero-to-one” journey.
10. Force Over Mass
- Focus areas: AI, FinTech, Industry 4.0, B2B Tech
- Founder benefit: Backs visionary founders with funding expertise and global networks to scale successfully.
- Why choose them: Force Over Mass specialises in scaling UK and European innovations, Making it ideal for tech-focused startups.
11. Fuel ventures
- Focus areas: Tech Companies Across Sectors
- Investment range: Invests up to £250k through its SEIS Fund, supporting early-stage founders with hands-on portfolio guidance.
- Why choose them: Fuel Ventures was recognised as the ‘Best SEIS Investment Manager‘ in 2023 and provides exceptional portfolio support.
- Focus areas: B2B SaaS with Global Ambitions
- Investment range: Pre-Product, Pre-Seed, and Seed-Stage
- Why choose them: Frontline specialises in helping startups expand to the US market with tailored support.
13. DSW Ventures
- Focus areas: UK based regional companies with a focus on software, DeepTech/university spinouts.
- Investment range: £100,000 to £1 million
- Why choose them: DSW Ventures takes a hands-on approach, providing founders with active support, from building management teams to solving challenges and accelerating deals.
- Focus areas: Femtech, Fintech, Future of work and Family Tech
- Investment range: Pre-Seed and Seed Stage
- Why choose them: 3 Sisters Ventures brings deep expertise in supporting consumer-facing ventures.
15. Martlet Capital
- Focus areas: DeepTech and Life Sciences B2B
- Investment range: Pre-Seed and Seed Stage
- Why choose them: Martlet Capital primarily focuses on Cambridge-based startups, offering sector-specific expertise.
16. Nauta Capital
- Focus areas: B2B Software Companies
- Investment range: Early Stages
- Why choose them: Nauta Capital invests in efficient, disruptive European startups, fostering innovation.
17. Northzone
- Focus areas: High-growth startups across various sectors
- Investment range: Seed to Growth Stages
- Why choose them: Northzone is a multi-stage venture capital fund dedicated to supporting businesses with high disruptive potential.
18. o2h Ventures
- Focus areas: Bio-tech companies specialising in drug discovery and AI tech.
- Investment range: SEIS and EIS investments, often acting as first investors in 50% of their portfolio, with 40% comprising university spinouts.
- Why choose them: With 20+ years of biotech investment experience, o2h Ventures actively supports founders with deep industry expertise and a strong syndicate network.
19. Anthemis
- Focus areas: Pre-Seed startups, Growth Stage Companies, Financial Ecosystem Innovation
- Investment range: Pre-Seed to Growth Stage
- Why choose them: Anthemis aims to create a more accessible, transparent, and equitable financial ecosystem.
20. Archangels
- Focus areas: Technology and life sciences businesses with a B2B model, based in Scotland.
- Investment range: £250k to £2m, from proof of concept to Series A.
- Why choose them: Archangels exclusively invests in high-growth, IP-rich startups with international potential, supporting early-stage innovation in Scotland.
21. Speedinvest
- Focus areas: DeepTech, FinTech, SaaS, Health, Marketplaces
- Investment range: Seed to Series A
- Why choose them: Speedinvest provides hands-on support and access to Europe’s largest founder and expert network to help startups scale globally.
- Focus areas: Climate Change, Resource Scarcity Solutions
- Investment range: SEIS & EIS qualifying early-stage climate tech startups
- Why choose them: Sustainable Ventures provides a 12-month tailored program with bespoke 1:1 support to accelerate growth and secure future funding.
- Focus areas: Ambitious startups tackling large markets and solving important problems with technology in Europe
- Investment range: Pre- Seed and Seed-Stage
- Why choose them: TrueSight Ventures focuses on innovative startups with region-specific growth potential.
- Focus areas: Sector-agnostic, backing visionary founders redefining the future of tech
- Investment range: Pre- Seed and Seed-Stage Investments (£250k-£3m)
- Why choose them: Firstminute capital is a founder-first fund backed by 100+ unicorn founders, offering hands-on support, global connections, and deep expertise from day one.
25. Worth Capital
- Focus areas: Innovative startups targeting underserved, or high-growth markets.
- Investment range: SEIS and EIS Investments.
- Why choose them: Worth Capital backs creative, resilient founders and provides hands-on support to help them build loved and scalable brands.
How can we support your SEIS funding journey?
Securing SEIS funding can feel complex, but the right guidance can make the process smooth and stress-free. At Rise Accounting, we specialise in helping startups prepare for and secure SEIS investment.
Here’s how we support you:
- SEIS advance assurance: We handle the application process to confirm your eligibility with HMRC.
- Investor-ready business plans: We provide accurate valuations and financial forecasts to strengthen your business plan and enhance your appeal to SEIS investors.
With many SEIS funds in the UK, early-stage investment is within reach for high-growth sectors like tech, SaaS, and health tech. Securing funding, however, isn’t just about finding the correct fund. It’s about making your business stand out. That’s where we come in.
Need expert SEIS guidance? Book a call today!
