North East Innovation Fund logo

North East Innovation Fund

Europe, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Description

The North East Innovation Fund is a dedicated venture capital fund operating within the broader framework of The North East Fund, a significant regional investment initiative. Managed by Northstar Ventures, this fund specifically targets innovative businesses with substantial growth potential located across the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area in the United Kingdom. Its primary mission is to foster economic development and job creation by providing crucial early-stage and growth capital to promising enterprises.

The fund's investment strategy is focused on identifying and supporting companies that demonstrate strong innovation and scalability. It actively seeks out opportunities across a range of high-growth sectors, including digital technology, health and life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. The North East Innovation Fund looks for strong management teams and disruptive business models that can drive significant impact within their respective industries and contribute to the region's innovation ecosystem.

Financially, the North East Innovation Fund is a substantial £10 million fund, forming a key component of the larger £120 million North East Fund. It typically provides first-cheque investments ranging from £50,000 to £500,000. Converted to US dollars, this translates to approximately $63,500 to $635,000, based on recent exchange rates. This flexible investment range allows the fund to support a diverse portfolio of companies, from nascent startups requiring initial seed capital to more established businesses seeking growth funding. The fund is notably supported by the European Regional Development Fund, underscoring its role in regional economic regeneration.

Investor Profile

North East Innovation Fund has backed more than 25 startups, with 9 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 12 rounds, about 48% of its total and boasts 0 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series Unknown, Seed, Pre Seed rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Medical.
  • Led 4 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $63.5K – $635K.

Stage Focus

  • Series Unknown (44%)
  • Seed (36%)
  • Pre Seed (16%)
  • Grant (4%)

Country Focus

  • United Kingdom (100%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Medical
  • Medical Device
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Nanotechnology
  • Therapeutics
  • Cyber Security
  • Life Science
  • Product Research
circle-line
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Who does North East Innovation Fund frequently co-invest with?

MV
Europe, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, Henley In Arden
Co-Investments: 2
SV
Europe, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom, Edinburgh
Co-Investments: 2
Ascension
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 1
TF
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 1
NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance
Europe, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, Henley In Arden
Co-Investments: 1
Old College Capital
Europe, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom, Edinburgh
Co-Investments: 2
Future Fund
Oceania, Victoria, Australia, Melbourne
Co-Investments: 1
SC
North America, California, United States, Los Angeles
Co-Investments: 1
FB
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 1
Northstar Ventures
Europe, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Co-Investments: 10

Which angels does North East Innovation Fund often collaborate with?

Stephen Schmidt
Oceania, New South Wales, Australia, Sydney
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by North East Innovation Fund?

Melius CyberSafe

Wear, Devon, United Kingdom

Melius Cyber continuously monitors an organization's IT network, testing security and protecting it from the latest threats.

Cyber SecurityInformation ServicesInformation Technology
Series UnknownJun 3, 2025
Amount Raised: $338,262
Nanovery

Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Nanovery is developing nanorobots to diagnose the world’s deadliest diseases.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Health DiagnosticsMedical DeviceNanotechnology
Series UnknownApr 10, 2025
Amount Raised: $1,421,367
Aelius Biotech

Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Integrated In Vitro Models - Digestion, Mucus permeation and Epithelial absorption.

Biotechnology
Series UnknownApr 7, 2025
Amount Raised: $955,112
Circadacare

Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Circadacare provides solutions which improve the quality of lives and benefit care environments for both residents and staff.

Health CareHospital
SeedApr 2, 2025
Amount Raised: $652,282
onHand

London, England, United Kingdom

onHand is an on-demand volunteering app, that makes employee volunteering as easy as ordering a takeaway.

SocialWellness
Series UnknownDec 23, 2024
Amount Raised: $943,159
Newcells Biotech

Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Newcells Biotech are experts in the production of induced pluripotent stem cells.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalMedical DevicePharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Series UnknownDec 5, 2024
Amount Raised: $1,531,239
Amlo Biosciences

Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

AMLo Biosciences has identified two proteins (AMBLor™) in the skin overlying the primary tumour that are lost in high-risk melanoma.

Biotechnology
Series UnknownDec 3, 2024
Amount Raised: $2,027,873
FAT32

Sunderland, Sunderland, United Kingdom

FAT32 is at the forefront of compliance automation, transforming the way businesses satisfy regulatory requirements.

Cyber SecurityInformation Services
Pre SeedOct 30, 2024
Amount Raised: $809,862
NunaBio

Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

NunaBio operates as a privately-owned specialist DNA development company.

BiotechnologyLife ScienceMedicalProduct Research
SeedSep 3, 2024
Amount Raised: $1,062,177
PolyBox Solutions

Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

PolyBox Solutions allows users to make automated reconcilliations.

Pre SeedMay 22, 2024
Amount Raised: $636,027