UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund

The UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKISSF), formerly known as the Rainbow Seed Fund, is a prominent early-stage venture capital fund based in Harwell, United Kingdom. Established with a mission to commercialize groundbreaking science and engineering innovations, UKISSF operates as a £50 million fund managed by Future Planet Capital. Its unique mandate focuses on investing in spin-out companies emerging from the UK’s publicly funded research establishments, including institutions like STFC, NERC, BBSRC, Dstl, Fera, and the UK Atomic Energy Authority. This strategic alignment ensures that the fund targets ventures with deep technological roots and significant potential for societal and economic impact.

UKISSF's investment thesis centers on high-growth, technology-driven sectors critical to the future economy. The fund actively seeks opportunities across a diverse range of fields, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, space exploration, robotics, life sciences, net-zero solutions, and advanced materials. By concentrating on these areas, UKISSF aims to support the transformation of cutting-edge research into viable commercial enterprises, fostering innovation and economic growth within the UK's scientific ecosystem. The fund's commitment extends beyond initial capital, often providing strategic guidance and leveraging its network to support portfolio companies through their growth journey.

Since its inception in 2002, UKISSF has built a robust portfolio and a strong track record of success. The fund typically provides initial investments ranging from £250,000 to £1 million, with the capacity for follow-on funding to support the continued development and scaling of its portfolio companies. To date, UKISSF has invested in over 70 companies, which collectively have attracted more than £1 billion in private investment, demonstrating the fund's catalytic role in attracting further capital into deep tech ventures. Furthermore, the fund boasts 15 successful exits, including four initial public offerings (IPOs), underscoring its ability to identify and nurture promising ventures from the laboratory to market success.