Leicester is turning into a thriving hub for startups with an entrepreneurial business environment. It has a vibrant combination of high-growth companies, particularly in software, life sciences, and creative industries. With strong links to local universities and specialist investment funds, Leicester offers various scopes for business growth. For reference, we've put together an extensive list of venture capital investors, and our experts have shortlisted the best 10 venture capital firms in Leicester just for you. You can find more details about investment opportunities here. Here's a table that summarizes the overall VC data for a quick overview:
| VC Firm | Ticket Size | Stages | Founding Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catapult Ventures | Not publicly disclosed | Early Stage | 1999 |
| Foresight Group | £1M - £5M | Early to Growth Stage | 1984 |
| Business Growth Fund (BGF) | £1M - £15M | Growth Stage | 2011 |
| Midlands Mindforge | Not publicly disclosed | Seed, Early Stage | 2023 |
| DSW Ventures | Up to £2M | Seed, Early Stage | 2018 |
| RYSE Asset Management LLP | Up to USD 12.5M | Early to Growth Stage | 2015 |
| Axon Partners Group | USD 5.5M - 55M | Early to Growth Stage | 2006 |
| Bespoke Commercial Finance | Not publicly disclosed | Various stages | 2014 |
| Connells Group | Not publicly disclosed | Various stages | 1936 |
| Balderton Capital | $1M - $50M | Seed to Series B | 2000 |
1. Catapult Ventures
Catapult Ventures is a UK venture capital investor in high-growth businesses within healthcare, technology, and consumer brands. They have £130M funds under management and provide hands-on support, strategic guidance, and long-term partnership to help founders scale. Their experienced team takes active involvement in portfolio companies, driving growth and future investment.
- Founding Year: 1999
- Website: catapult-ventures.com
- Investment Range: Not publicly disclosed
- Stage: Early Stage
- Sector Focus: Technology, Life Sciences, Healthcare
- Geography: United Kingdom
2. Foresight Group
Foresight Group invests in businesses pioneering a sustainable future. With a long history of over decades, they invest in businesses pioneering the change in energy, decarbonization, and economic growth. Their investments encourage innovation, recovery of nature, and long-term value creation, helping founders and investors to capitalize on transformative opportunities.
- Founding Year: 1984
- Website: foresightgroup.eu
- Investment Range: £1 million to £5 million
- Stage: Early to Growth Stage
- Sector Focus: Clean Energy, Infrastructure, SMEs
- Geography: UK-wide, including Leicester
3. Business Growth Fund (BGF)
BGF is the most active investor in small and mid-sized businesses across the UK and Ireland. With £4B deployed across 600+ companies, they provide long-term, minority investment to help businesses scale without losing control. Backed by major UK banks, BGF supports founders with capital, expertise, and an extensive network to drive sustainable growth and lasting success.
- Founding Year: 2011
- Website: bgf.co.uk
- Investment Range: £1 million to £15 million
- Stage: Growth Stage
- Sector Focus: Diverse Sectors
- Geography: UK and Ireland, including Nottingham
4. Midlands Mindforge
Midlands Mindforge is a patient capital investment firm co-founded by eight leading universities in the Midlands. Focused on commercializing groundbreaking science and technology, they back university spinouts and early-stage IP-rich businesses in sectors like Clean Tech, AI, and Life Sciences. With a mission to drive economic growth and real-world impact, they aim to build a thriving tech ecosystem in the region.
- Founding Year: 2023
- Website: midlandsmindforge.com
- Investment Range: Not publicly disclosed
- Stage: Seed, Early Stage
- Sector Focus: Life Sciences, Green Technology, Deep Tech
- Geography: Midlands region, including Leicester
5. DSW Ventures
DSW Ventures is a UK venture capital fund that invests in seed and early-stage technology businesses with growth potential. They specialize in regional UK startup investment opportunities and provide £300K to £1M investment, along with proactive support to aid founders in business scaling. Staffed with experienced investors, they invest more than just money to provide real value and success.
- Founding Year: 2018
- Website: https://dsw.vc
- Investment Range: Up to £2 million
- Stage: Seed, Early Stage
- Sector Focus: Innovative Startups, Scale-ups
- Geography: Nottingham and the East Midlands, including Leicester
6. RYSE Asset Management LLP
RYSE is a leading European healthcare investor backing early-stage companies with the potential to transform lives. Working in partnership with sector leaders like Novartis, Medtronic, and the NHS, they help founders grow life-changing health-tech solutions. Backed by a mission to transform healthcare and impact 1 billion lives, RYSE provides capital, expertise, and deep industry networks to deliver meaningful change.
- Founding Year: 2015
- Website: ryseam.com/en
- Investment Range: Up to USD 12.5 million
- Stage: Early to Growth Stage
- Sector Focus: Healthcare, including pharmacies, home healthcare, and clinics
- Geography: Europe, including Leicester
7. Axon Partners Group
Axon Partners Group is a global investment and consulting firm focused on technology and innovation. Listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange, they back startups from seed to post-IPO while advising corporations and governments on digital strategy. With a team of 90 professionals across Europe, the Americas, and MENA, they combine agility with global reach to drive long-term value.
- Founding Year: 2006
- Website: axonpartnersgroup.com
- Investment Range: USD 5.5 million - 55 million
- Stage: Early to Growth Stage
- Sector Focus: Various Sectors
- Geography: Europe and other regions, including Leicester
8. Bespoke Commercial Finance
Bespoke Commercial Finance is a Birmingham company finance broker providing commercial funding solutions. With ten years' experience and an established relationship with lenders, they help companies of all sizes obtain the best rates on invoice finance, business loans, asset finance, and commercial mortgages. Their knowledge helps businesses secure the finance they need to grow.
- Founding Year: 2014
- Website: bespokecommercialfinance.co.uk
- Investment Range: Not publicly disclosed
- Stage: Various stages
- Sector Focus: Diverse industries
- Geography: Leicester and surrounding areas
9. Connells Group
Connells Group is the UK’s leading property services provider, combining residential sales, lettings, and a full suite of corporate services. With over 1,200 branches nationwide and 80+ trusted brands, they handle property sales, mortgages, land acquisition, asset management, and more. Backed by Skipton Building Society, Connells Group offers deep industry expertise, award-winning service, and financial strength to support homeowners, investors, and corporate clients.
- Founding Year: 1936
- Website: connellsgroup.co.uk
- Investment Range: Not publicly disclosed
- Stage: Various stages
- Sector Focus: Real estate and property services
- Geography: UK-wide, including Leicester
10. Balderton Capital
Balderton Capital is a leading VC that invests in Europe's top-performing founders. They invest from seed to IPO, helping entrepreneurs build global businesses. With deep familiarity of European technology, broad network of support, and hands-on guidance, they help startups grow. They possess experienced founders and investors on staff, committed to propelling lasting success.
- Website: balderton.com
- Founding Year: 2000
- Investment Range: $1M to $50M
- Stage: Seed to Series B
- Sector: SaaS, Fintech, Marketplaces, Healthtech, AI
- Geography: Pan-European focus, including extensive investments throughout the UK
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Is VC high risk?
Venture capital is a type of investment that can be risky but has the potential for high returns. However, there is no guarantee of success. Investing in startups is always uncertain, and you might lose your money. Even though VC firms try to minimize risks, investing in startups is always uncertain, and you might lose your money. - What is the best country to set up a VC fund?
If you’re looking to set up a VC fund, many people think the United States has the best venture capital (VC) funds worldwide. This is because the US has a big economy, lots of money available, and many successful startups. - What cities have the most VC investments?
The top five cities for venture capital investment are San Francisco, New York City, Boston, San Jose, and Los Angeles. These cities together receive more than two-thirds (67.5%) of all venture capital investments. - What is the minimum amount for a VC fund?
Venture capital funds usually ask for a minimum investment of $250,000 to $500,000, and sometimes even more. Investing a small amount of money can still cost a lot. These funds are usually only open to wealthy people and big organizations that have a lot of money. - How do I choose a VC fund?
To choose a VC fund, check how much experience and success the venture capital firm has had before. Look at the companies they’ve invested in before to see if they match what your business does. This can help you figure out if they’re a good match for you.
Best of luck with your amazing ventures.
Please note that this list is filtered by various metrics, and all the data are collected through various third-party websites, mostly the VC website. Since data such as ticket size or industry may change, you are requested to visit the official website given in the blog for the latest and updated information.