
Longwall Venture
Description
Longwall Venture Partners is a prominent UK-based venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments within the healthcare, science, and engineering sectors. Established with a clear focus on deep technology and intellectual property-rich companies, Longwall aims to back innovative businesses that are poised for significant growth and impact. The firm prides itself on its hands-on approach, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to its portfolio companies, often taking board seats to actively contribute to their development. Their investment philosophy centers on identifying companies with strong scientific foundations and compelling commercial potential.
The firm typically targets seed and Series A funding rounds, seeking to be the first institutional investor or to co-invest alongside other reputable VCs. Longwall Venture's initial investment cheques generally range from approximately $1.27 million (£1 million) to $6.35 million (£5 million). They are also prepared to provide substantial follow-on funding, potentially investing up to $12.7 million (£10 million) over the lifetime of a company, demonstrating a long-term commitment to their portfolio. This flexible approach allows them to support companies through various growth stages, from initial product development to market entry and scaling.
Longwall Venture has successfully raised and deployed multiple funds, underscoring its sustained presence and growing influence in the UK venture ecosystem. Their first fund, Longwall Ventures 1, launched in 2012 with £30 million. This was followed by Longwall Ventures 2 in 2017, which secured £70 million. Most recently, in 2023, they launched Longwall Ventures 3, a substantial £100 million fund. Collectively, these funds bring their total capital under management to approximately $254 million (£200 million), enabling them to continue backing high-potential ventures.
The team at Longwall Venture comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds in science, engineering, and finance, bringing a wealth of technical and commercial expertise to their investment decisions and portfolio support. Their deep understanding of the sectors they invest in allows them to conduct thorough due diligence and provide informed mentorship. Based in Harwell, United Kingdom, Longwall Venture is a key player in fostering innovation and commercializing groundbreaking technologies within the UK's vibrant scientific and engineering landscape.
Investor Profile
Longwall Venture has backed more than 40 startups, with 1 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 15 rounds, about 38% of its total and boasts 0 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.
- Strong thematic focus on Health Care, Biotechnology, Medical Device.
- Typical check size: $1.3M – $6.3M.
Stage Focus
- Series Unknown (30%)
- Seed (30%)
- Series A (23%)
- Series B (15%)
- Grant (3%)
Country Focus
- United Kingdom (98%)
- United States (3%)
Industry Focus
- Health Care
- Biotechnology
- Medical Device
- Machinery Manufacturing
- Manufacturing
- Electronics
- Information Technology
- Therapeutics
- Biopharma
- Health Diagnostics
Frequently Asked Questions
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