
The FSE Group
Description
The FSE Group is a prominent UK-based venture capital and loan fund manager, specializing in providing tailored funding solutions and support to ambitious and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Headquartered in Camberley, Surrey, FSE operates across various regions of the UK, including the South East, Kent, Medway, Thames Valley, and Cornwall. Their core mission is to bridge funding gaps for growing businesses, offering a blend of debt and equity financing designed to meet diverse business needs, from early-stage growth to expansion.
FSE manages a diverse portfolio of funds, often in partnership with local enterprise partnerships and the British Business Bank, reflecting a commitment to regional economic development. Their funding instruments typically include business loans, growth equity, and sometimes grants, catering to different stages of a company's lifecycle. For instance, the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF) provides equity investments up to £2 million, while various regional loan schemes offer debt financing starting from £25,000. This multi-faceted approach allows them to support a broad spectrum of SMEs, from those requiring initial capital injections to more mature businesses seeking significant expansion funds.
With a track record spanning over two decades, The FSE Group has established itself as a key player in the UK's SME funding landscape. They boast an impressive history of supporting over 1,000 businesses, demonstrating their extensive reach and impact within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Over this period, FSE has directly invested more than £170 million into these enterprises, further leveraging over £300 million from other co-investors and funding sources. Their strategic focus on providing not just capital but also hands-on support and expertise helps portfolio companies achieve sustainable growth and contribute to regional prosperity.
Investor Profile
The FSE Group has backed more than 219 startups, with 21 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 165 rounds, about 75% of its total and boasts 8 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Debt Financing, Seed, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, United States, Canada.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Manufacturing, Information Technology.
- Led 14 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $31.8K – $2.5M.
Stage Focus
- Debt Financing (45%)
- Seed (38%)
- Series Unknown (9%)
- Series A (3%)
- Angel (2%)
- Series B (1%)
- Pre Seed (1%)
Country Focus
- United Kingdom (93%)
- United States (5%)
- Canada (1%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Manufacturing
- Information Technology
- Health Care
- Food And Beverage
- Electronics
- Internet
- E-commerce
- Medical
- Hardware
Frequently Asked Questions
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