Episode 1

Episode 1 Ventures is a distinguished London-based venture capital firm specializing in early-stage technology investments, primarily targeting B2B software companies across the United Kingdom. Established with a clear focus on becoming the first institutional investor, the firm typically engages with startups at the Seed and Series A stages. Their investment thesis centers on disruptive innovations within sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), marketplaces, and developer tools, demonstrating a keen eye for scalable business models with strong product-market fit.

The firm has progressively grown its capital base, reflecting its increasing influence in the UK tech ecosystem. Episode 1 successfully raised its first fund, Fund I, totaling £15 million, followed by Fund II, which secured £37.5 million. Most recently, they closed Fund III at £100 million, significantly expanding their capacity to support promising startups. This consistent growth in fund size underscores their commitment to providing substantial capital and long-term support to their portfolio companies.

Episode 1 is known for its hands-on approach, often taking board seats and actively assisting founders with strategic guidance, recruitment, and subsequent fundraising rounds. They aim to be more than just a capital provider, fostering a collaborative relationship to help companies navigate the challenges of early-stage growth. Their typical initial cheque sizes range from £250,000 to £1.5 million, with the capacity to invest up to £3 million in Series A rounds, demonstrating flexibility in their investment approach depending on the stage and needs of the company. This strategic investment approach, combined with their deep sector expertise, positions Episode 1 as a key partner for UK-based B2B software innovators.