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Techstart Ventures

Europe, Belfast, United Kingdom, Belfast

Description

Techstart Ventures is a prominent first-cheque investor based in the United Kingdom, with a strong focus on extraordinary founders pursuing uncapped global opportunities. Operating primarily out of Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, the firm has established itself as a key player in the early-stage technology ecosystem across these regions. Since its inception in 2012, Techstart Ventures has demonstrated a consistent commitment to nurturing innovative startups from their foundational stages, aiming to unlock significant growth potential.

The firm's investment strategy is broad yet targeted, spanning sectors such as software, hardware, deep tech, life sciences, digital, fintech, and cleantech. Techstart Ventures typically provides initial investments ranging from approximately $317,500 (£250,000) to $2.54 million (£2 million) in a first round, demonstrating flexibility to either lead or co-invest alongside other capital providers. This approach allows them to support a diverse array of ventures, from highly technical innovations to scalable digital platforms, ensuring a wide reach across the burgeoning UK tech landscape.

With over $76.2 million (£60 million) under management across its various funds, Techstart Ventures has built a substantial portfolio, having invested in over 100 companies since 2012. Their commitment extends beyond initial funding, as they also engage in significant follow-on investments, with an average follow-on of £1.5 million, and total investment per company potentially reaching up to £5 million. This long-term support underscores their dedication to helping portfolio companies achieve their full potential, contributing significantly to the development of high-growth technology businesses in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Investor Profile

Techstart Ventures has backed more than 165 startups, with 9 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 83 rounds, about 50% of its total and boasts 7 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Seed, Pre Seed, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, Ireland, United States.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Health Care, Information Technology.
  • Typical check size: $317.5K – $2.5M.

Stage Focus

  • Seed (64%)
  • Pre Seed (14%)
  • Series Unknown (8%)
  • Series A (5%)
  • Grant (5%)
  • Convertible Note (1%)
  • Angel (1%)
  • Equity Crowdfunding (1%)
  • Series B (1%)

Country Focus

  • United Kingdom (95%)
  • Ireland (2%)
  • United States (2%)
  • Turkey (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Health Care
  • Information Technology
  • Saas
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Manufacturing
  • Analytics
  • Internet
  • Machine Learning
  • Medical Device
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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 Techstart Ventures frequently co-invest with?

Par Equity
Europe, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom, Edinburgh
Co-Investments: 7
Clarendon Fund Managers
Europe, Belfast, United Kingdom, Belfast
Co-Investments: 24
MMC Ventures
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 3
Ascension
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 9
Crescent Capital
Europe, Belfast, United Kingdom, Belfast
Co-Investments: 4
ACF Investors
Europe, Sheffield, United Kingdom, Sheffield
Co-Investments: 7
QUBIS
Europe, Belfast, United Kingdom, Belfast
Co-Investments: 10
IU
Europe, Newtownabbey, United Kingdom, Newtownabbey
Co-Investments: 5
Frontline Ventures
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 5
C
Europe, Belfast, United Kingdom, Belfast
Co-Investments: 11

Which angels does Techstart Ventures often collaborate with?

AV
Europe, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom, Edinburgh
Shared Deals: 2
GP
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1
YW
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
SJ
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
BD
Europe, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom, Edinburgh
Shared Deals: 3
SC
Europe, Ireland
Shared Deals: 1
RD
Europe, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom, Edinburgh
Shared Deals: 2
BL
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1
SF
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 3

What are some of recent deals done by Techstart Ventures?

LUMENSTREAM

Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom

LUMENSTREAM is a cleantech company that helps large energy consumers cut their operational costs via the provision of LED lighting.

ElectronicsEnergy
Series UnknownJul 8, 2025
Amount Raised: $1,636,014
Valla

Edinburgh, Edinburgh, City of, United Kingdom

Data-driven tools for the legal industry

AnalyticsLegal TechSaaSSoftware
SeedJun 2, 2025
Amount Raised: $2,700,499
Neurolabs

London, England, United Kingdom

Setting the global standard for image recognition powered by synthetic data.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Computer VisionRetail TechnologySoftware
Series AApr 23, 2025
Amount Raised: $7,800,000
Liquid Acquire

London, England, United Kingdom

Liquid Acquire provides AI solutions for mergers and acquisitions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Financial ServicesSoftware
Pre SeedMar 24, 2025
Amount Raised: $1,500,000
Cloudsmith

Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom

Cloudsmith is a cloud-native platform that serves as a centralized solution for managing and distributing software assets or artifacts.

Cloud ComputingCloud StorageContent Delivery NetworkCyber SecurityDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSaaSSecuritySoftware
Series BMar 3, 2025
Amount Raised: $22,963,365
RETìníZE

Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom

RETìníZE is a VR technology start-up.

Augmented RealitySoftwareVirtual Reality
Series UnknownFeb 25, 2025
Amount Raised: $1,641,717
Axial3D

Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom

Axial3D is 3D printing anatomical models for the healthcare industry.

3D Printing3D TechnologyHealth CareMedical Device
Series UnknownDec 17, 2024
Amount Raised: $18,200,000
Loadar

Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom

Loadar simplifies transport sourcing by providing Shippers with direct tools to communicate with Carriers.

LogisticsOutsourcingSupply Chain ManagementTransportation
SeedDec 17, 2024
Amount Raised: $4,000,000
Needi

Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom

Needi is a retail company with an e-commerce platform specializing in gift shops.

E-CommerceGiftRetail
SeedOct 24, 2024
Amount Raised: $1,160,972
INQDATA

Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom

INQDATA is a data Science Company that provides access to continuously hydrated, intelligently curated cleansed Market Data.

Financial Services
SeedJul 24, 2024
Amount Raised: $966,465