
Herald Ventures
Description
Herald Ventures refers to the venture and growth equity investment activities of Herald Investment Management Limited (HIML), a prominent UK-based investment firm established in 1994. Based in London, HIML has built a strong reputation for its specialized focus on the technology, media, and communications (TMT) sectors. The firm primarily targets both publicly listed and unquoted companies, with a significant portion of its venture capital activities channeled through various funds, including its well-known Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and the Herald Investment Trust plc. This strategic focus allows Herald to identify and support innovative companies across the UK and Europe, aiming for long-term capital growth.
Herald's investment strategy is characterized by a deep understanding of the TMT landscape, leveraging extensive industry expertise to back promising businesses from early-stage development through to more mature growth phases. They are known for providing patient capital and strategic support to their portfolio companies, often participating in multiple funding rounds. Their unquoted investment portfolio spans a diverse range of sub-sectors within TMT, from software and fintech to digital media and telecommunications infrastructure. The firm's commitment to the UK tech ecosystem is evident in its consistent investment activity, contributing significantly to the growth of emerging and established technology enterprises.
As of December 31, 2023, Herald Investment Management Limited managed approximately £1.4 billion in assets, underscoring its substantial presence in the investment landscape. For initial investments, often referred to as first cheques, Herald typically deploys capital ranging from $630,000 (£500,000) for earlier-stage opportunities to as much as $9,450,000 (£7,500,000) for more established growth-stage companies. This flexibility allows them to engage with a broad spectrum of ventures, from nascent startups seeking initial seed or Series A funding to more mature businesses requiring significant growth capital. Their long-standing presence and dedicated sector focus make them a key player for TMT companies seeking funding in the UK.
Investor Profile
Herald Ventures has backed more than 25 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 4 rounds, about 16% of its total and boasts 6 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series Unknown, Series B, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, United States, India.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Information Technology, Hardware.
- Typical check size: $630K – $9.4M.
Stage Focus
- Series Unknown (48%)
- Series B (12%)
- Series C (12%)
- Series A (12%)
- Post Ipo Equity (8%)
- Series D (4%)
- Series E (4%)
Country Focus
- United Kingdom (80%)
- United States (16%)
- India (4%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Information Technology
- Hardware
- Risk Management
- Financial Services
- Fintech
- Saas
- Enterprise Software
- Cyber Security
- Embedded Software
Frequently Asked Questions
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