Abrdn

Abrdn, headquartered in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, is a prominent global investment company primarily known for its asset management services. While not a traditional early-stage venture capital firm, Abrdn does engage in direct investments, particularly through its strategic investment team and private equity arm. These investments are typically focused on companies that align with Abrdn's core business, such as fintech, wealth management technology, and other financial services innovations. Their approach often involves participating in later-stage growth equity rounds rather than seed or Series A funding. This strategic focus differentiates their investment activities from typical venture capital funds.

For instance, Abrdn participated in a £35 million Series D funding round for the UK-based fintech Moneybox in 2021, demonstrating their commitment to supporting growth-stage companies in the financial sector. Another notable investment includes their participation in a £45 million Series C round for Nutmeg, a digital wealth manager, prior to Abrdn's full acquisition of the company. These examples highlight Abrdn's role in providing significant capital to established startups that have achieved considerable traction and are seeking further growth capital.

Abrdn's private equity activities also include investing in private equity funds and co-investing directly into companies alongside their fund managers. This dual approach means their capital deployment can range from indirect investments via funds to direct, strategic stakes in mature private companies. However, due to the nature of these strategic and growth equity investments, which are often part of larger syndicated rounds, reliable information on their typical 'first cheque' size for direct startup investments is not publicly disclosed or clearly defined in the manner of a dedicated venture capital fund.