
Octopus Ventures
Description
Octopus Ventures, based in London, United Kingdom, stands as one of Europe's most prominent venture capital firms, known for its comprehensive support across the entire company lifecycle, from initial concept through to IPO. As a multi-stage investor, the firm demonstrates a robust commitment to fostering innovation and scaling ambitious businesses. Their expansive reach and significant capital deployment capabilities position them as a key player in the European and global venture ecosystem, actively seeking to back visionary founders building transformative companies.
The firm's investment strategy is highly flexible, accommodating companies from seed through Series C and beyond. For early-stage ventures, Octopus Ventures typically provides initial investments ranging from $317,500 (£250,000) to $2.54 million (£2 million) at the seed stage. As companies mature, their commitment grows significantly, with Series A rounds seeing investments from $3.81 million (£3 million) to $12.7 million (£10 million). For more established, high-growth businesses in Series B and C rounds, Octopus Ventures is prepared to deploy substantial capital, with cheques often reaching up to $31.75 million (£25 million) or more, reflecting their capacity to lead or co-lead significant funding rounds.
Octopus Ventures maintains a diverse sector focus, actively deploying capital across key verticals including B2B SaaS, Fintech, Deep Tech, Bio & Health, Consumer, and Climate. This broad mandate allows them to capture opportunities across various high-growth industries. With over $2.3 billion in assets under management, the firm has built an impressive portfolio, having invested in over 100 companies to date. Beyond capital, Octopus Ventures emphasizes providing strategic guidance, operational support, and access to an extensive network, aiming to accelerate the growth and success of its portfolio companies.
Their long-standing presence and track record of successful exits, including companies like Zoopla and SwiftKey, underscore their expertise in identifying and nurturing market-leading businesses. Octopus Ventures' holistic approach, combining substantial financial backing with hands-on support, makes them a compelling partner for entrepreneurs aiming to achieve significant scale and impact. Their commitment to long-term partnerships and deep industry knowledge solidifies their reputation as a leading venture capital firm dedicated to building the next generation of global champions.
Investor Profile
Octopus Ventures has backed more than 445 startups, with 27 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 245 rounds, about 55% of its total and boasts 56 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Seed, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, United States, Germany.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Health Care, Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Led 8 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $317.5K – $31.8M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (31%)
- Seed (21%)
- Series Unknown (18%)
- Series B (15%)
- Series C (5%)
- Pre Seed (5%)
- Private Equity (1%)
- Series D (1%)
- Series E (1%)
- Debt Financing (1%)
Country Focus
- United Kingdom (79%)
- United States (8%)
- Germany (2%)
- Israel (2%)
- Spain (1%)
- The Netherlands (1%)
- Ireland (1%)
- Belgium (1%)
- New Zealand (1%)
- Sweden (1%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Health Care
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- E-commerce
- Information Technology
- Saas
- Financial Services
- Fintech
- Machine Learning
- Internet
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.