Mercia Ventures
Description
Mercia Ventures, the venture capital arm of Mercia Asset Management PLC, stands as a prominent early-stage to scale-up investor deeply committed to fostering growth across the United Kingdom, particularly in regional economies often underserved by traditional capital. The firm distinguishes itself by providing patient capital and strategic support to innovative businesses, leveraging its extensive network and expertise. Mercia Ventures' investment philosophy spans the entire company lifecycle, from pre-seed to Series B and beyond, demonstrating a flexible and long-term commitment to its portfolio companies.
The firm typically deploys first cheques ranging from approximately $127,000 (£100,000) up to $12.7 million (£10 million), reflecting its capacity to support companies at various stages of development. Mercia Ventures maintains a strong sector focus on high-growth areas such as deep tech, software, and life sciences, identifying and nurturing businesses with significant disruptive potential. Their strategic approach includes managing a diverse portfolio of funds, including the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), which underscores their dedication to regional economic development.
Mercia Ventures has established itself as one of the most active regional investors in the UK. The firm manages over $1.27 billion (£1 billion) in assets across various funds, showcasing its substantial financial capacity. This significant capital base has enabled Mercia Ventures to make over 400 investments to date, contributing substantially to the UK's innovation ecosystem and supporting hundreds of businesses through critical growth phases. Their integrated approach, combining capital with hands-on support, aims to build resilient and successful companies that can achieve significant scale and impact.
Investor Profile
Mercia Ventures has backed more than 44 startups, with 27 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 23 rounds, about 52% of its total and boasts 0 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series Unknown, Seed, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, United States.
- Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Software, Health Care.
- Led 13 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $127K – $12.7M.
Stage Focus
- Series Unknown (57%)
- Seed (23%)
- Series A (18%)
- Series B (2%)
Country Focus
- United Kingdom (95%)
- United States (2%)
Industry Focus
- Biotechnology
- Software
- Health Care
- Information Technology
- Therapeutics
- Cyber Security
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Medical
- E-commerce
- Consulting
Frequently Asked Questions
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