--- title: "Investors in Manchester: A founder’s guide" id: "1920" type: "post" slug: "investors-in-manchester" published_at: "2019-02-01T12:15:56+00:00" modified_at: "2022-03-08T13:00:00+00:00" url: "https://seedlegals.com/resources/investors-in-manchester/" markdown_url: "https://seedlegals.com/resources/investors-in-manchester.md" excerpt: "Here are the most active early stage investor groups, syndicates and VCs that invested in Manchester based startups." taxonomy_category: - "Find Investors" --- 4 min read # Investors in Manchester: A founder's guide Published: Feb 1, 2019 Updated: Mar 08, 2022 Contents [Investors based in Manchester](#investors-based-in-manchester) [Investors based near Manchester](#investors-based-near-manchester) [Other investors active in Manchester](#other-investors-active-in-manchester) [Crowdfunding platforms popular in Manchester](#crowdfunding-platforms-popular-in-manchester) [Perfect your pitch with SeedLegals](#perfect-your-pitch-with-seedlegals) [Kirsty MacSween](https://seedlegals.com/resources/author/kirsty/) It’s no accident that the industrious bee is Manchester’s official symbol. With a thriving tech scene, a huge talent pool drawing from the city’s three universities and a hard-grafting spirit, Manchester is a hive of startup activity. From accelerators to venture capital funds specialising in early-stage funding, here’s a round-up of the most active investors in and around Manchester. We’ve also listed North West-based business loan providers and organisations further afield with a record of investing in Manchester businesses. For a more general introduction to the fundraising ecosystem, see our guide on [how to find startup investors](https://seedlegals.com/resources/how-to-find-startup-investors/) . Additional information supplied by [Beauhurst](https://www.beauhurst.com/) . > The North West is turning heads on the global tech stage. Beyond the great infrastructure, world-class access to talent, blossoming tech eco-system, plentiful accelerator programmes and preferable cost of living, there is a real buzz around the city as it continues to grow. Both large enterprise and smaller brands are choosing Manchester as their home. There is no better place to start a business in the UK right now. > > [Ben Davies](http://linkedin.com/in/bendaviesmarketing) > Group Marketing Director, > > [Praetura](https://www.praeturaventures.com/) ## Investors based in Manchester ### Praetura Ventures The first Manchester-based VC to receive additional funding from the British Business Institute, [Praetura Ventures](https://www.praeturaventures.com/) supports entrepreneurs in the North with strategy and development as well as funding. They invest typically between £1 million and £3 million into 10 to 15 companies a year. ### DSW Ventures Headquartered in Manchester, [DSW Ventures](https://dsw.vc/) is an angel network specialising in startup and scaling companies in the North West. Their typical investment ranges from £300,000 to over £1 million as part of SEIS/EIS-qualifying rounds of up to £2 million. ### GC Angels Part of the Growth Company, [GC Angels](https://gcangels.uk/) is made up of the former Co-Angel Investment Service, North West Business Angels and the GM Co-Investment fund. The fund supports early-stage founders based in the North and typically invests between £25,000 and £2 million as well as providing ongoing knowledge-sharing opportunities. ### GC Business Finance Another arm of the Growth Company, [GC Business Finance](https://businessfinance.growthco.uk/) is a not-for-profit lender specialising in startup and growth loans to business in the North West. Loans are available from £500 to £300,000. ### Greater Manchester Business Investment Fund The Core Business Fund invests between £200,000 and £5 million in either loans or equity in businesses which have matched funding from the private sector and will create jobs in the Greater Manchester area. ## Investors based near Manchester ### Deepbridge Capital Based in Chester, [Deepbridge Capital](https://www.deepbridgecapital.com/) provides growth capital through investments between £10,000 and £5 million to micro, small and medium UK companies. The fund will invest across a variety of sectors, but most of its experience lies in renewable energy and technology sectors. ### Ignite [Ignite](https://ignite.io/) runs accelerator programmes across the UK. Currently, tech startups with a minimum viable product in the North East can apply. The programme includes workspace for up to six months, access to the fund’s incubator space, and growth support. The fund takes a 6% stake in exchange for investment. ### Rosebud A partnership between Lancashire County Council and GC Business Finance, [Rosebud](https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/finance-and-funding/rosebud-business-finance/) provides business loans from £10,000 to £300,000 to Lancashire businesses looking to expand their workforce. Finance is available as loans or a combination of equity and loans (‘mezzanine finance’), with no penalties for early repayment. ## Other investors active in Manchester ### BOOST&Co Growth Loan [BOOST&Co Growth Loan](https://boostandco.com/what-we-do/growth-loans/) typically invests between £1 million and £10 million in companies reporting over £3 million in revenue. The fund offers startup loans from £500,000 to £2 million, revenue loans of between £500,000 and £2 million, venture debt from £2 million to £10 million, and growth business loans of between £2 million and £10 million. The funds should be used for growth capital, R&D or M&A. ### Molten Ventures Formerly Draper Esprit, [Molten Ventures](https://www.moltenventures.com/) is a European venture capital firm with a focus on technology. Typically investments span between £2 million and £50 million for high-growth companies in exchange for an average stake of 28.5%. ### Octopus Ventures One of Europe’s largest investors with more than £1 billion under management. [Octopus Ventures](https://octopusventures.com/) typically invests from around £1million for seed stages to up to £10 million for Series B rounds. ### L Marks [L Marks](https://lmarks.com/) runs accelerator programmes globally with an average investment between £20,000 and £100,000 and a focus on enterprise and disruptive technology. ### Catapult Ventures [Catapult Ventures](http://www.catapult-ventures.com/) is an independent fund manager. Its owners operate a number of discrete venture capital funds on behalf of a range of public and private sector investors, with a total of £130 million under management. ## Crowdfunding platforms popular in Manchester ### Seedrs Paid only if your fundraising is successful, fees on [Seedrs](https://www.seedrs.com/raise/) are set at 6% on your first £150,000 raised, 4% on £150,000 to £350,000, and 2% on everything over £500,000. ### Kickstarter [Kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/places/manchester-gb) is an all-or-nothing crowdfunding option, meaning you need to reach your goal to receive any pledged funds. The majority of successful campaigns on Kickstarter have goals under £10,000. If your campaign is successful, the fee is 5% of total funds raised. ## Perfect your pitch with SeedLegals Of course, [finding potential investors](https://seedlegals.com/resources/how-to-find-startup-investors/) is just the first step. Now it’s time to win them over with a killer pitch. On SeedLegals we make it easy to create a compelling pitch page in minutes – and it’s completely free. We close more early-stage funding rounds than anyone else, so we know a thing or two about what investors want to see. Just fill in our clean and clear template, then share the link with investors. You’ll get a notification whenever an investor expresses interest and you can log progress in the investment tracker. [Create your Pitch page](https://seedlegals.com/raise/pitch/) and get sharing. ##### SEIS/EIS Advance Assurance ### Get investment-ready fast Many investors only invest in companies pre-approved for SEIS/EIS. We make it easy. [Apply for SEIS/EIS](https://seedlegals.com/start/seis-eis/) ## Related posts [3 min read Pitch perfect: What makes you stand out to investors In this 60-minute session, SeedLegals CEO Anthony Rose shows you how to up your pitching game and become unforgettable i... Anthony Rose](https://seedlegals.com/resources/pitch-perfect-what-makes-you-stand-out-to-investors/) [2 min read How to start angel investing with smaller cheques: first steps, choosing startups & more Angel investing doesn’t have to start with big cheques. In this webinar, angel investor Beth Carter shares how to make y... Michael McDowell](https://seedlegals.com/resources/start-angel-investing/) [1 min read Turn your brand into an investor magnet Investors don’t just back businesses, they back belief. In this webinar, SeedLegals’ Anthony Rose and brand expert Ged ... Anthony Rose](https://seedlegals.com/resources/turn-your-brand-into-an-investor-magnet/)