05 Jul 2019

UK VC funds raised £1 billion in 2018

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Venture capital fundraising topped £1 billion in 2018 in a further sign of the bullish appetite of investors for UK start-ups, whilst growth capital funds brought in more than £3.5 billion.

These figures are released today as part of the BVCA’s annual Report on Investment Activity, which details all the fundraising, investment and exit activity of BVCA members.

Highlights include:

  • Total fundraising for both private equity and venture capital reached £34.1 billion
  • 86% of the total funds raised came from institutional investors outside of the UK
  • VC equity investment into companies increased 21% to just under £1 billion, with 698 companies receiving backing, a 44% rise on 2017 numbers
  • Growth capital investments increased by 66% to £3.24 billion across 415 companies, a 405 increase.
  • Total equity investment for both private equity and venture capital decreased by 7% year-on-year to £20.6 billion
  • However, the number of companies receiving investment rose by 30% to 1,335

The BVCA’s Report on Investment Activity is published every year and all the data is collected directly and solely from our member firms. To read the full report, please click here.


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 British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body for the UK private equity and venture capital. The BVCA has over 770 member firms, representing the vast majority of UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and their advisers.

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