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Mustard Seed

Europe, England, United Kingdom, London

Description

Mustard Seed Impact (MSI) is a London-based venture capital firm specializing in impact investing, founded in 2012. The firm's core mission is to identify and back early-stage companies, typically from Seed to Series A, that are poised to deliver both compelling financial returns and measurable positive societal or environmental impact. Their investment thesis is rooted in the conviction that businesses designed with a dual purpose can achieve superior long-term performance and contribute meaningfully to global challenges.

MSI's investment philosophy drives them to seek out innovative entrepreneurs who are addressing critical global issues across diverse sectors. Their portfolio companies often operate in areas such as education, health, sustainable consumption, environmental solutions, and economic empowerment. The firm employs a rigorous due diligence process that not only assesses commercial viability and scalability but also meticulously evaluates the depth and authenticity of the intended impact, often utilizing specific frameworks to track and report on the social and environmental outcomes generated by their investments.

Mustard Seed Impact typically deploys initial cheques ranging from £250,000 to £1.5 million, which translates to approximately $315,000 to $1,890,000 USD based on current exchange rates. They are active participants in follow-on rounds to support their portfolio companies' continued growth and often co-invest alongside other mission-aligned funds or traditional venture capital firms. Beyond capital, MSI provides strategic support, leveraging its extensive network and expertise to help founders scale their operations, enhance their impact, and achieve their financial objectives.

Investor Profile

Mustard Seed has backed more than 41 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 21 rounds, about 51% of its total and boasts 2 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Angel rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, United States, Philippines.
  • Strong thematic focus on Analytics, Software, Food and Beverage.
  • Typical check size: $315K – $1.9M.

Stage Focus

  • Seed (51%)
  • Series A (20%)
  • Angel (7%)
  • Pre Seed (5%)
  • Series B (5%)
  • Equity Crowdfunding (5%)
  • Series C (2%)
  • Series Unknown (2%)
  • Non Equity Assistance (2%)

Country Focus

  • United Kingdom (83%)
  • United States (5%)
  • Philippines (5%)
  • India (2%)
  • Spain (2%)
  • Portugal (2%)

Industry Focus

  • Analytics
  • Software
  • Food And Beverage
  • Fintech
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • E-commerce
  • Machine Learning
  • Health Care
  • Computer Vision
  • Waste Management
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Mustard Seed frequently co-invest with?

Seedcamp
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 2
Circularity Capital
Europe, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom, Edinburgh
Co-Investments: 3
RYSE Asset Management
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 2
Althelia Funds
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 1
London Co-Investment Fund
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 3
CI
North America, Virginia, United States, Arlington
Co-Investments: 1
D-Ax Corporate Venture Capital
Europe, Stockholms Lan, Sweden, Stockholm
Co-Investments: 3
Octopus Ventures
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 2
Everywhere Ventures (The Fund)
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
Green Angel Ventures
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 2

Which angels does Mustard Seed often collaborate with?

NE
Europe, Stockholms Lan, Sweden, Stockholm
Shared Deals: 2
CA
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1
MH
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1
EV
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1
JS
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 1
WB
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 2
MV
Europe, Harjumaa, Estonia, Tallinn
Shared Deals: 1
WM
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 2
Shared Deals: 1
JB
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Mustard Seed?

Tiney

London, England, United Kingdom

Tiney is a childcare startup providing home nurseries with early years education.

Child CareChildrenEducation
Series AMay 13, 2024
Amount Raised: $9,042,386
Winnow

London, England, United Kingdom

Winnow creates AI tools designed to supply data for enhancing kitchen production processes and reducing food waste.

AnalyticsArtificial Intelligence (AI)Computer VisionSoftwareWaste Management
Series CJun 13, 2023
Amount Raised: $10,000,000
Connect Earth

London, England, United Kingdom

Connecting carbon data to drive sustainable finance

Environmental ConsultingFinTech
SeedMar 28, 2023
Amount Raised: $5,548,363
StudentFinance

Madrid, Madrid, Spain

StudentFinance is a global career mobility fintech platform for re-skilling and up-skilling the global workforce.

BankingEducationFinanceFinancial ServicesFinTech
Series AFeb 28, 2023
Amount Raised: $41,248,933
WNWN Food Labs

London, England, United Kingdom

WNWN is a fermentation food tech company that creates delicious harm-free, guilt-free alternative ingredients that are good.

Food and BeverageFood ProcessingOrganic Food
Series AFeb 28, 2023
Amount Raised: $5,414,843
Loctax

London, England, United Kingdom

Compliance, Risk, and Governance platform purpose-built for in-house tax teams to monitor, analyse, and action data.

FinTechSaaSSoftware
Series ASep 21, 2022
Amount Raised: $12,000,000
FINDS

London, England, United Kingdom

FINDS is the C2C short form video & live streaming social marketplace app for the next generation to buy and sell fashion.

E-CommerceE-Commerce PlatformsFashionMarketplaceSustainabilityVideo Streaming
SeedSep 1, 2022
Amount Raised: $1,650,000
Collectiv Food

London, England, United Kingdom

Collectiv Food is an automated and sustainable food supply chain that provides businesses with transparency and lower costs of ingredients

B2BFood and BeverageFood DeliveryRestaurantsWholesale
Series AJul 19, 2021
Amount Raised: $16,401,285
Good Club

London, England, United Kingdom

Good Club is a Zero Waste supermarket that offers different brands and sells groceries in reusable packaging.

Consumer GoodsE-CommerceFood and BeverageGrocery
SeedDec 16, 2020
Amount Raised: $1,019,416
Ohne

London, England, United Kingdom

Ohne is a women's healthcare brand that sells eco-friendly tampons and other feminine hygiene products.

Health CareProduct DesignWellness
Pre SeedOct 1, 2020
Amount Raised: $1,000,000