IQ Capital

IQ Capital is a UK-based venture capital firm specializing in deep tech investments from Seed to Series A stages. The firm focuses on sectors such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and advanced engineering, aiming to support the commercialization of cutting-edge scientific research from university spin-outs and ambitious startups. Since its inception in 2005, IQ Capital has partnered with over 200 deep tech founders, leading rounds at pre-Seed to Series A and providing follow-on investments up to $40 million. The firm's portfolio includes companies that have been acquired by industry giants like Apple, Meta, Google, Siemens, Qualcomm, and Oracle. Notable investments include Thought Machine, a core-banking software unicorn, and Speechmatics, a leading speech recognition technology scale-up. IQ Capital's team, rich in PhD expertise, has achieved over 20 successful exits to date, including acquisitions by industry giants like Oracle, Google, Apple, Facebook, Siemens, and various IPOs. The firm has raised multiple funds, including a $400 million fund in 2022, elevating its total assets under management to over $1 billion. IQ Capital's investment approach involves not only providing capital but also leveraging its extensive network and expertise to accelerate the growth of its portfolio companies. The firm's general partners, Kerry Baldwin, Max Bautin, and Ed Stacey, have worked together for more than 20 years, with their commercial and scientific networks attracting founders from across Europe. IQ Capital's investments typically range from £0.5 million to £10 million in disruptive deep tech companies across various sectors such as generative AI, advanced engineering, novel materials, space-tech, quantum hardware and algorithms, cyber and data security, and synthetic biology. The firm has led 51 rounds, about 32% of its total, and boasts 17 exits across its portfolio. IQ Capital's team has been built to reflect the unique challenges of deep tech startups, supporting founders with advice and resources through a dedicated deep tech network developed over 20 years. The firm's investment philosophy is 'invest to keep,' focusing on building sustainable businesses capable of thriving in a volatile and unpredictable global economy. IQ Capital's advisory services include business engineering, complex business re-engineering, joint venture creations, and mergers and acquisitions, both locally and internationally, in the public and private spheres. The firm's values include partnership, perseverance, focus, growth, and knowledge, aiming to add value beyond pure capital investment by offering strategic direction and active participation in business optimization for continual growth and progress.