UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund

The UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S) is a £40 million early-stage venture capital fund established to support the commercialization of technologies emerging from the UK's public sector research base. Managed by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited, UKI2S focuses on sectors such as biotechnology, synthetic biology, agriculture, healthcare, environmental technology, computer science, and engineering. The fund provides long-term, patient capital to technology start-ups that spin out of publicly funded research institutes, are based on a partner’s campus, or are involved in very early-stage commercialization of synthetic biology. Beyond seed funding, UKI2S offers strategic advice and support to companies in their early stages.

UKI2S has invested in over 70 companies and projects, with nearly 50% of all investment raised spent on research and development (R&D). Since its establishment in 2002, the fund has delivered a strong return on investment, with a Gross Value Added (GVA) per pound sterling invested ratio of 7 to 1. It has leveraged almost £620 million of private investment, at a leverage ratio of 37 to 1, and created over 700 highly skilled jobs. The fund aims to make a financial return and assumes risk by investing at an early stage but has a wider role in the commercialization portfolio of its partners in enabling impact for economic and public benefit, helping to build innovative businesses, leveraging private investment, and growing jobs.

UKI2S is managed by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited, which is authorized and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 148549). The registered address is 1 Scott Place, 2 Hardman Street, Manchester, M3 3AA. The fund is closely aligned with the Catapults, Innovate UK, and the developing UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) to create the best environment for innovation to flourish and, in turn, boost the UK’s competitiveness and productivity by commercializing key technological advances in industrial biotech, ag tech, healthcare, medicine, clean energy, materials, artificial intelligence, software, and space.