Member Directory

Mercia is a specialist asset manager focused on supporting regional SMEs to achieve their growth aspirations. We provide capital across four asset classes of balance sheet, venture, private equity and debt capital; the Group’s ‘Complete Capital Solution’.

Our EIS Funds, which are managed under Mercia Fund Management Limited, have an investment-led venture capital strategy, investing nationally with a focus on the underserved regions; specialising in the identification, creation, funding and scaling of innovative technology businesses with high growth potential, creating a strong investment proposition.

The Investment Team of industry specialists with venture capital expertise, works extensively with portfolio companies to scale each business with the aim of ultimately delivering shareholder returns.

Our vision is to be the first choice for investors, investees and employees and, by aspiring to be the first choice, we believe that Mercia will deliver superior returns for business owners, shareholders and fund investors alike.

Fund investors and intermediaries benefit from a diversified portfolio offering the tax advantages of EIS, detailed reporting with a strong focus on transparency to investors and their advisors, externally audited funds, and an experienced investment panel.

Please get in contact if you have any queries

Molten Ventures (formerly Draper Esprit) invests in Europe’s tech leaders at Series A and beyond. Our companies use technology to create better ways of doing things. We focus on four sectors; Consumer technology, Digital Health & Wellness, Ai, Deeptech & Hardware, Cloud, Enterprise & Saas.

We look for high-growth companies with strong IP, powerful technology, and outstanding management teams. They operate in new markets, with serious potential for global expansion. We also look for strong margins to ensure sustainable growth, particularly for companies on a journey to profitability.

We offer investors access to private companies, in the high growth phase. Entrepreneurs come to us once they’ve initially proven their idea, and are ready to grow. We’re providing a rare opportunity to invest in companies that aspire to be attractive candidates for acquisition or IPO, with valuations from $50m to $1bn+.

o2h Ventures, a specialist biotech fund manager based in the heart of the thriving biotech community in Cambridge, UK. We invest in early-stage biotech companies involved in novel drug discovery, enabling service tools, and AI/ML technologies. Currently, we have two tax-efficient human health funds open for investment: the Enterprise Investment Scheme and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme.

To date, through our funds, we have invested over $10 million in 35+ early-stage biotech companies, empowering impactful research addressing unmet medical needs in areas such as cancer, depression, diseases of the ear and eye, psoriasis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, anti-ageing, and infectious diseases. For more details, please see – www.o2hventures.com

Based in London, Oberon Group provides investment services along with strategic planning and advice to growing businesses. We deliver services to private individuals aiming to maximise returns and take advantage of diverse investment opportunities. Our specialist teams work both independently and collaboratively to deliver a dynamic and personalised service to our private and corporate clients. The business is underpinned by traditional values and integrity complemented by 21st century innovation from a proven team accomplished at delivering inspiring ideas and access to unique opportunities and networks.

At Oberon we pride ourselves in offering clients the personal attention of a private office whilst delivering the capabilities, contacts, and services of a much larger institution. Our clients value the entrepreneurial mind-set our dynamic team brings to the table where our services are tailored to a specific individual or business’ needs, and traditional approaches are considered alongside more innovative ideas. The solutions and strategies implemented are as varied as the individuals and businesses that require them.

Octopus is synonymous with small company investing and is the UK’s largest specialist manager of tax efficient investments, managing more than £13bn on behalf of both retail and institutional investors. Our experience spans more than 20 years and, in that time, we have invested over £2 billion in early-stage companies.

Each Octopus Ventures EIS portfolio will have around 10-15 companies selected for their ambitious growth targets and potential to become a household name of the future. Investors will have access to the expertise of Octopus Ventures, one of the largest venture capital teams in Europe. Our previous track record for identifying, growing and exiting some of Britain’s brightest companies includes investments in Graze, Secret Escapes, Zoopla and Tails.com, to name but a few. Our pipeline of opportunities spans very early stage (seed) through to Series A and Series B investments.

We have aligned our fees with the interests of our investors. Our annual management charge is only payable if a company is sold for more than the amount invested into it.

We invest in seed and early stage companies from a range of different industries, with a particular focus on technology. Oxford Capital is one of the most experienced tax-efficient investment managers in the UK. Since pioneering the first EIS funds in 1999, Oxford Capital has been recognised multiple times as Best EIS Fund Manager. We have invested over £400m in small companies across the UK and are proud of partnering with some exceptional founders. Our current portfolio includes some well known brands such as Curve, Moneybox, Push Doctor, Spoke and more.  More information can be found at www.oxcp.com.

Oxford Innovation Finance is the home of the Oxford Innovation EIS Growth Fund and OION, one of the oldest and largest Angel Investment Networks in the UK. Providing investors with the opportunity to invest in pre-screened opportunities either directly through our Angel Network or indirectly via our EIS Fund, and providing companies with the opportunity to secure investment from a large, diverse investor base. We look at technology companies from across the UK with a focus on Oxford and make sure we have a diversified portfolio across technology sectors. There is a focus on using the Oxford Innovation network and angel investors with industry experience to support the companies . Oxford Innovation has over thirty years’ experience of incubating and accelerating high growth businesses through the operation  of a network of innovation centres across large parts of the UK, and through Oxford Innovation Advice who provide a range of coaching support for innovative businesses.

Par Equity is an Edinburgh-based venture capital boutique active across the United Kingdom. It invests in innovative small companies with high growth potential within a number of carefully selected sub-sectors, including software, medical devices, energy-efficient lighting and technical textiles. Although portfolio companies do include businesses serving consumer markets, Par Equity is particularly interested in business-to-business propositions. Investors include many individuals with directly relevant experience of the sub-sectors Par Equity invests in, providing a reserve of intellectual capital to be deployed alongside financial capital. Par Equity offers execution-only investment services to business angels as well as managing an evergreen EIS fund (the Par Syndicate EIS Fund) that invests alongside and on the same terms as business angels in SEIS and EIS-qualifying companies.

Parkwalk Advisors is one of the UK’s leading technology Enterprise Investment Scheme fund managers. Parkwalk invests in high growth, knowledge intensive companies seeking to develop and commercialise technology and innovation originating from UK universities, research intensive institutions and technology clusters.

Founded in 2009, Parkwalk has assets under management of over £160m and has backed over 85 companies. Parkwalk is now part of IP Group plc, a FTSE 250 company with a market capitalisation of £1.7bn and the UK’s leading developer of intellectual property-based businesses. IP Group has agreements with over 80% of the UK Russell Group Universities, including Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial.

The Parkwalk Opportunities EIS Fund is a growth-targeted investment fund providing investors access to a portfolio of knowledge intensive technology companies, an area the Government continues to support. Investors will get exposure to a range of investments from AIM listed to seed stage companies.

Parkwalk also manages a series of early-stage funds in conjunction with the technology transfer offices of the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford and Bristol.

Praetura Investments is an FCA Authorised Firm having completed its first Venture Capital transaction in 2011, the acquisition and listing of Inspired Energy plc in November of that year. Since, we have grown steadily and have made a further 24 investments on behalf of investors having invested over £100m into high growth tech or IP enabled small businesses.

We’ve built a highly experienced and reputable team within Praetura Investments who bring with them over 250 year of sector experience having raised and transacted over £8bn within the UK.

Headquartered in the North West, the Praetura team have built an enviable network across the region generating strong deal flow and opportunities. The investment strategy has been developed and refined over the previous 8 years and we’ve built a reputation for being able to identify and back high performing, entrepreneurial teams who demonstrate they can execute their plan. As important is our ability to add “more than money”. We look for ways we can add significant value through our team’s skillset, network and experience. Deciding whether we can add value and help shape a company’s growth is critical when we decide where to invest.

We help individual businesses and funds to raise money from investors while complying with their regulatory obligations. These businesses can then access alternative sources of funding such as crowdfunding and networks of sophisticated investors. We have helped to raise over £200 million for small businesses over the last 5 year and have extensive experience of EIS and SEIS. We have particular expertise in property crowdfunding, technology, green energy and media.

We can act as alternative investment fund manager (AIFM) for your fund; provide your business with regulatory permissions on a monthly basis through our authorised representative service or help your business apply to the FCA to become directly regulated. We have retail permissions and can operate unregulated collective investment schemes (UCIS).

Prosper Capital is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). A full list of the activities that the firm is authorised to carry out can be found on the Financial Services Register on the FCA’s website at https://register.fca.org.uk

Puma Investments is an award-winning investment manager, and a leading provider of growth capital to UK SMEs. We operate across the country from our offices in London, Liverpool and Edinburgh and are part of an organisation that raised its first private equity fund in 1996. Puma has raised over £400 million in tax efficient investments to date.

We are committed to supporting the growth of small and medium-sized businesses across all sectors and regions of the UK. We deliver investment from £2 million to £10 million to help companies achieve their ambitions.

Our investment provides more than capital – it provides partnership. By using our investment insight, multi-sector experience and extensive network, we aim to help accelerate the growth of our investee companies.

Puma Alpha EIS is an evergreen fund that is open to investors throughout the year. The Fund has four closings per year, typically in at the end of each calendar quarter. The Fund seeks to support the growth of
UK SMEs through backing exceptional management teams and aims to give investors exposure to the earnings of quality operating businesses.

Rathbones has become a trusted investment partner for providing individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees, and professional partners. We have been trusted for generations to manage and preserve our clients’ wealth. Our tradition of investing and acting responsibly has been with us from the beginning and continues to lead us forward. Our ambition is to be recognised as the UK’s most responsible wealth manager. By addressing ESG issues, a responsible investment approach not only serves to protect the planet and people. It also preserves wealth and generates returns via enhanced risk management and the identification of promising investment opportunities.  In a reflection of our achievement so far, we were recognised as “ESG Champion of the Year” in the Investors’ Chronicle/Financial Times 2021 Celebration of Investment Awards.

In business since 1742.

A FTSE 250 listed company.

Managing more than £100.7* billion for our clients.

£8.8bn managed by our Charities team363 Investment Managers

15 offices throughout the UK and Jersey.*

Our purpose

We see it as our responsibility to invest for everyone’s tomorrow. That means doing the right thing for our clients and for others too. Keeping the future in mind when we make decisions today. Looking beyond the short term for the most sustainable outcome. This is how we build enduring value for our clients, make a wider contribution to society and create a lasting legacy. Thinking, acting and investing responsibly. Find out more

*All data correct as at September 2023 and data currently excludes Investec Wealth and Investment (UK)

Sapphire Capital Partners LLP (“Sapphire”) is a multi-award winning firm based in London and Belfast which specialises in SEIS and EIS funds. Sapphire currently manages over twenty SEIS and EIS funds across a wide variety of sectors. The partnership, founded in 2009, is authorised by the FCA (FRN: 565716) to act as an investment manager. Sapphire is also a Home Office approved endorsing body to provide start-up and innovator visa endorsements.

Sapphire’s services are delivered by an experienced team that provide quality services in a cost-efficient way. The individuals behind Sapphire have a considerable breadth of knowledge in the financial sector.

Seneca Partners is an FCA regulated investment management and corporate advisory services business, dealing with UK based companies in the turnover range of up to £100m per annum. Seneca was formed in 2010 by a senior group of accountants, bankers, stockbrokers and investment management specialists to provide services for high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, companies, charities and trusts.

In early 2014 we acquired Miton Capital Partners, (now Seneca Investment Managers), a traditional, risk rated, upper quartile fund management business. In the same period we also acquired Manchester based corporate finance boutique and fellow EISA member, Acceleris, who have specialised in the provision of growth capital and earlier stage company funding since 2000.

Seneca currently has assets under management in excess of £0.5bn. Investment management activities are provided in a range of asset classes including private equity, secured income, property bridging finance, turnaround & special situations and growth capital in a mix of senior debt, mezzanine finance and equity. We are fund manager to the Seneca EIS Portfolio Service which invests in profitable, growing UK companies. We are also investment adviser to an IHT Portfolio Service via Seneca Secured Lending Ltd, a BPR qualifying company whose trading activity is the provision of short and medium term secured loans.

SFC Capital (formerly Startup Funding Club) is a leading early-stage investment firm providing capital and support to British startups. By combining its Angel Network and Seed Funds, SFC has created a unique model that allows investors to get exposure to SEIS- and EIS-qualifying businesses, either directly or through a diversified portfolio curated and managed by SFC’s expert team. SFC is backed by an impeccable track record and recognised by Pitchbook as the UK’s most active VC, and has received a £10m allocation from Business Investments as part of the Regional Angels Programme.

SIS Ventures is an impact investment firm based in Edinburgh. Authorised by FCA and following best impact practice, as Scotland’s first signatories to the Operating Principles for Impact Management.  The fund ensures impact considerations are integrated throughout the investment lifecycle and align commercial growth and impact potential.

It invests in innovative purpose-led businesses that are focussed on social and environmental impact across United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  Sector agnostic but typically the portfolio invests in IP-rich companies across life sciences, climate tech, circular economy and agri-biotech.

Investment opportunities are eligible for tax reliefs under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) or Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS).

Symvan Capital is a multi-award winning technology venture capital fund manager with an established record of growth-oriented investing. We manage SEIS and EIS funds with two open for investment.

We invest in scaleable and disruptive businesses — companies that seek to impact and change established models and in particular, that have developed the technology to take costs out of business processes.

We look for companies with unique propositions and the potential to deliver ten times your investment within reasonable time frames.

Our focus is to find founders with strong teams who have the vision, drive and flexibility to deliver results.

We don’t just fund them: we mentor and support through to exit. Our investments are supported by Symvan’s investment directors who have more than fifty years combined experience in tech investment banking (ECM, corporate finance, M&A and AIM listing work).

Investee companies can also count on the technical expertise of our world-class advisory team in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

We pride ourselves on our selection process which involves a six-stage due diligence process; and also for our “Lifecycle Approach” where our SEIS funds are the incubators from which the best performing companies can then progress to receive further funding from our EIS fund.

And finally, our fee structure is one of the simplest and most transparent in an industry not known for it: the only fee we charge investors is a 20% performance fee on successful exits.