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Catapult Ventures

Europe, Leicester, United Kingdom, Enderby

Description

Catapult Ventures is a well-established UK-based venture capital firm, founded in 2002 and operating from Enderby. The firm specializes in providing equity capital to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) primarily across the UK, with a strong emphasis on the Midlands region. Their investment strategy is geared towards supporting growth, facilitating management buy-outs (MBOs), and providing development capital to businesses poised for expansion across various sectors including manufacturing, technology, business services, healthcare, and consumer.

Catapult Ventures manages several significant funds, often in collaboration with regional and national initiatives. Notable examples include their role as fund manager for the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) Equity Finance and Debt Finance funds, which are designed to boost economic growth across the Midlands. They also manage specialized initiatives like the East Midlands Niche Vehicle Network Fund, demonstrating a targeted approach to specific industry sectors. Their focus is typically on established businesses with proven track records and strong management teams, rather than very early-stage startups.

The firm's typical first-cheque investments range from £50,000 to £2 million. Converting this to US dollars (using an approximate exchange rate of 1 GBP = 1.27 USD), this equates to investments between approximately $63,500 and $2.54 million. Catapult Ventures takes a proactive role with its portfolio companies, offering strategic guidance and operational support to help them achieve their growth objectives. Their long-standing presence and commitment to regional economic development have made them a key player in the UK's SME funding landscape.

Investor Profile

Catapult Ventures has backed more than 100 startups, with 3 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 23 rounds, about 23% of its total and boasts 29 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series Unknown, Seed, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, United States, Israel.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Software.
  • Led 1 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $63.5K – $2.5M.

Stage Focus

  • Series Unknown (65%)
  • Seed (18%)
  • Series A (7%)
  • Series B (4%)
  • Pre Seed (2%)
  • Corporate Round (1%)
  • Private Equity (1%)
  • Series C (1%)
  • Series D (1%)

Country Focus

  • United Kingdom (85%)
  • United States (14%)
  • Israel (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Software
  • Medical
  • Health Diagnostics
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Medical Device
  • Robotics
  • Manufacturing
  • Clinical Trials
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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 Catapult Ventures frequently co-invest with?

GM&C Life Sciences Fund
Europe, Cheshire, United Kingdom, Alderley Edge
Co-Investments: 12
UL
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 4
SE
Europe, Surrey, United Kingdom, Caterham
Co-Investments: 4
NV
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 4
Oxford Capital
Europe, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, Oxford
Co-Investments: 4
Yamaha Motor Ventures
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 4
Midven
Europe, Birmingham, United Kingdom, Birmingham
Co-Investments: 5
Octopus Ventures
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 3
Newable Private Investing
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 3
Spark Ventures
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 4

Which angels does Catapult Ventures often collaborate with?

Shared Deals: 1
SE
North America, California, United States, Burlingame
Shared Deals: 1
JI
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1
TC
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Southborough
Shared Deals: 1
MC
North America, Texas, United States, Dallas
Shared Deals: 1
JS
North America, California, United States
Shared Deals: 1
JM
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Catapult Ventures?

Anello Photonics

Santa Clara, California, United States

Anello Photonics is a technology company developing a silicon photonic optical gyroscope to navigate autonomous applications.

ElectronicsNavigationSemiconductor
Series BNov 18, 2024
Pickle Robot

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Pickle Robot specializes in supplying AI-enabled robotic automation systems tailored for unloading trailers and containers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Industrial ManufacturingRobotics
Series BNov 11, 2024
Amount Raised: $50,000,000
Path Robotics

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Path Robotics offers robotic welding systems to improve manufacturing efficiency.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Big DataMachine LearningRobotics
Series DOct 14, 2024
Amount Raised: $100,000,000
CroBio

Alderley Park, Cheshire, United Kingdom

Enhanced microbes for sustainable agriculture

AgricultureBiotechnologyFarming
SeedApr 23, 2024
Amount Raised: $1,551,841
Pencil Biosciences

Alderley Park, Cheshire, United Kingdom

Pencil Biosciences is a novel gene modulation company.

BiotechnologyHealth Care
SeedSep 28, 2023
Amount Raised: $6,834,369
QV Bioelectronics

Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom

Longer, Better Quality Lives for Brain Tumour Patients

Advanced MaterialsBiotechnologyElectronicsHealth CareLife ScienceMedicalMedical DeviceNanotechnologyNeuroscience
SeedJan 10, 2023
Amount Raised: $2,430,600
Urban Machine

Oakland, California, United States

Urban Machine is a construction company that manufactures reclaims and co-creates locally sourced premium lumber products.

Building MaterialRobotics
SeedDec 8, 2022
Amount Raised: $5,600,000
Pickle Robot

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Pickle Robot specializes in supplying AI-enabled robotic automation systems tailored for unloading trailers and containers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Industrial ManufacturingRobotics
Series ANov 15, 2022
Amount Raised: $26,000,000
Strella Biotechnology

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Strella Biotechnology offers a biosensing platform that predicts the ripeness of fruit which reduces food waste and improves quality.

Big DataBiotechnologyFood and BeverageReal TimeSensorSupply Chain ManagementSustainabilityWaste Management
Series AJun 7, 2022
Amount Raised: $8,000,000
Urban Machine

Oakland, California, United States

Urban Machine is a construction company that manufactures reclaims and co-creates locally sourced premium lumber products.

Building MaterialRobotics
Pre SeedNov 12, 2021
Amount Raised: $1,575,000