UK private equity and venture capital invest more than £22 billion

UK private equity and venture capital investment reached £22.33 billion in 2019, an increase of £1.6 billion on the previous year, new research from the BVCA shows.

Published today, the BVCA’s annual Report on Investment Activity shows the full breadth of the impact of private equity and venture capital on the UK economy. A total of 1,530 companies received backing in 2019, an increase of 15% on the 2018 figures.

Key report highlights include:

• Venture capital investment increased by 67% year-on-year to £1.65 billion with 821 companies backed, an 18% increase.
• The South West of England received the largest amount of private equity and venture capital investment (11.6%) outside of London and the South East, followed by the North West (9.6%) and the West Midlands (7.8%).
• The technology sector saw the largest number of deals and investment in 2019, accounting for 37.1% of all companies, and 26.8% of total investment.
• UK private equity and venture capital funds raised £47.59 billion in 2019.
• Pension funds provided 38% of all capital raised followed by sovereign wealth funds (14%) and fund of funds (11%).

Michael Moore, Director General of the BVCA, said: “As long-term, responsible investors, private equity and venture capital have a key role in supporting the recovery post-COVID. What these 2019 figures demonstrate is the size of our industry’s economic impact, building businesses and jobs across the UK. I am under no illusions that there are tough times ahead, but I am supremely confident that private equity and venture capital, and the companies they back, are well-positioned to support growth, sustainability and innovation throughout the country.”

Neil MacDougall, Chair of the BVCA, said: “This year’s Report on Investment Activity clearly illustrates how important private equity and venture capital are to UK businesses big and small, providing them with the long-term capital and the investment expertise they need to thrive. As the country emerges from coronavirus, these attributes are needed now more than ever.”

For further information, please contact

Tom Allchorne, Director, Communications, BVCA
+44 (0)20 7492 0407
[email protected] or [email protected]

Notes to editor

1. The BVCA Report on Investment Activity is published annually, and all the data is collected directly and only from BVCA members. To read the full report, please click here.
2. The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body for the UK private equity and venture capital industry. The BVCA has over 750 member firms, including more than 450 fund managers and institutional investors.