Fundraising Fox

British Design Fund

Venture capital

London Β· Pre-Seed–Seed Β· 1 people tracked

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Investment thesis

British Design Fund backs entrepreneurs building innovative British product designs and inventions. Beyond financial investment, the fund emphasizes hands-on mentoring and support, drawing on a network of experienced mentors who volunteer time and expertise to help investee companies scale their products, accelerate growth and build long-term value for both investors and the businesses themselves. Over more than nine years of operation, the fund has assembled a diverse portfolio of enterprising start-ups representing British invention.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Seed
HQ
London, GB
Instruments
Equity
Tracked investments
38

Team Β· 1 people

from curated

What they invest in

from 29 of 38 portfolio companies

Hardware Γ—13Healthtech Γ—9Consumer Γ—7AI & Machine Learning Γ—6IoT Γ—6Medical Devices Γ—6Cleantech Γ—5Climate Tech Γ—4

HQs:United KingdomΓ—24United StatesΓ—1

Who they back

founder profiles across 17 portfolio companies
76%
solo founders
13 of 17 mapped founding teams

Founding team size:solo founderΓ—132 foundersΓ—4

Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program

Techstars Γ—2

Investments Β· 38 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2023 Β· 12022 Β· 12 dated

Hidealoohidealoo.cominπ•βœ“ verified

Hidealoo designs and manufactures space-saving toilet solutions that conceal or integrate into small residential spaces, enabling more efficient use of rooms.

ConsumerHardwarePropTech

Monty Ravenscroft(Founder)

Matohamatoha.comβœ“ verified

Matoha develops infrared sensor and AI-based devices that identify the composition of textiles, plastics, and flooring materials.

AI & Machine LearningHardwareNew Materials

Co-investorsConduit ConnectInnovate UK

Milbotixmilbotix.cominβœ“ verified

Milbotix develops technology to help people with dementia and other conditions that impair communication of distress.

AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHardwareHealthtechIoTMedical DevicesBristol, GB

Dr Zeke Steer(Founder)

BoardJohn Major(Non-Executive Director)

Co-investorsInnovate UKTwo Magnolias

Structemp Innovationsstructemp-innovations.comβœ“ verified

Linear Buddy is a thermoplastic elastomer safety product designed for site operations that resists damage and maintains durability through multiple reuse cycles.

Advanced ManufacturingCircular EconomyConstruction Tech

Shiraz Dudhia(Founder)

Aeropowderaeropowder.com𝕏

Aeropowder engineers high-performance insulation materials from feathers using a patent-pending process.

Circular EconomyNew Materials

BoxxDocksboxxdocks.comin𝕏

BoxxDocks provides asset tracking and intelligent automation solutions for B2B logistics and supply chain operations across Europe.

CleantechLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSWellness & FitnessLondon, GB

James Della Valle(Founder)in

Co-investorsTechstars

Cordoncordon.ai

Cordon develops robotic spraying technology for fruit farmers that reduces chemical use while lowering costs.

AgTechAI & Machine LearningRoboticsUK, GB

Annelise Brbora(Product Management)Jamie Hutchinson(CEO)

Cryogenx Seedcryogenx.comin

Cryogenx develops CGX1, a portable body cooling device designed to treat heatstroke and prevent heat-related deaths.

BiotechDeep TechHardwareHealthtechMedical Devices

Matthew Power

BoardLevison Wood

Co-investorsFuture Planet CapitalUK Innovation & Science Seed Fund

Demeter Biodemeter-bio.com

Co-investorsOne Planet Capital

Enteralaccesstechenteralaccesstech.comin𝕏

Enteral Access Technologies develops medical devices for safe placement of nasogastric feeding and decompression tubes in clinical settings.

HealthtechMedical Devices

George Gallagher(Founder and CEO)

Goodboostgoodboost.aiin𝕏

Good Boost develops technology for personalized therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation for people with joint and long-term health conditions, making these services more accessible and affordable through guided movement programs delivered on land and in water.

HealthtechWellness & FitnessOxford, GB

Gravitilabgravitilab.space

Gravitilab is a space technology company staffed by engineers with expertise in avionics, propulsion, launch safety, payload mechanics, testing and related disciplines, offering technology-focused services in the space sector.

Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech

James Kilpatrick(Founder, Chair & CFO)Mark Roberts CBE(Managing Director)

Co-investorsAnglia Capital Group

HausBotshausbots.comin

HausBots builds wall-climbing robotic crawlers (HB2 and HB3) that carry inspection payloads such as ultrasonic thickness measurement, corrosion mapping, GPR, and visual inspection for non-destructive testing (NDT) of assets like storage tanks, silos, bridges, dams, and wind turbines.

Deep TechHardwareRoboticsBirmingham, GB

Jack Cornes(Founder)

Co-investorsPi Labs

Iwantastandingdeskiwantastandingdesk.com
LabCyclelabcycle.org

Co-investorsAngel Academe

Manhole Metricsmanholemetrics.comin

ManholeMetrics designs and deploys wastewater level sensors paired with a monitoring software platform (Porthole) that give water utilities real-time visibility into sewer and stormwater networks.

CleantechClimate TechIoT

Will Dubin(Founder/CEO)in

Co-investorsAvonmore DevelopmentsSyndicateRoom

Marldellmarldell.com

Marldell, GB

Mattermatter.industriesin

Matter. is a venture-backed cleantech company that designs and builds microplastic and micropollutant capture and filtration technology, including products for the laundry sector and industrial-scale water filtration systems for textile manufacturing.

Circular EconomyCleantechClimate TechNew MaterialsBristol, GB

Co-investorsRegeneration.VCTechFounders

Newlanehelmetnewlanehelmet.com

Newlane makes foldable bike helmets designed to collapse compact and fit into a bag, aimed at urban cyclists, commuters, and e-scooter riders.

ConsumerHardwareMobility & Transportation

Peequalpeequal.comin𝕏

PEEQUAL manufactures women's urinals designed to reduce toilet queue times and improve sanitation at events and festivals.

ConsumerFemTechHardware

Hazel McShane(Co-founder)Amber Probyn(Co-founder)

Permiasensingpermiasensing.com

Permia Sensing provides tree-level monitoring and analytics for palm plantations using satellite imagery, drone data, and patented bioacoustic sensors combined with AI.

AgTechAI & Machine LearningClimate TechIoTLondon, GB

Jonathan Rowell(CEO and founding executive)

Co-investorsJenson Ventures

Phare Labspharelabs.cominJan 2022

Phare develops AI-powered home safety devices that detect fires and carbon monoxide using advanced sensors and machine learning to reduce false alarms and missed detections.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningHardwareHealthtechPropTechLondon, GB

Daniel McBride(Executive Officer, Director)

Co-investorsClearance Venture PartnersSterling RoadTechstars

Phare LabsMar 2023

Dallas, US

Daniel McBride(Executive Officer, Director)Arnau Donate(Executive Officer, Director)

Sagessages.bioin

SAGES develops bio-based dyes derived from phytochemical extractions that replace synthetic dyes in textile and materials applications, achieving industry-standard performance while reducing carbon emissions and eliminating toxic chemical pollution.

BiotechCleantechNew MaterialsLondon, GB

Emily Taylor(Co-founder & CEO)Alice Simpson(Co-founder & CTO)

Samudra Oceanssamudraoceans.comin𝕏

Samudra builds an intelligence layer for the blue economy, developed by a team of ocean scientists, engineers and operators.

AI & Machine LearningClimate TechDeep TechIoT

Joyeeta Das(Founder & CEO)Deepak Shakya(COO/CTO)Corinne Thompson(Chief Financial Officer)

Co-investorsCarbon13

Sapphire Capital Partners LLPsapphirecapitalpartners.co.ukin

Sapphire Capital Partners offers venture capital funds, including an SEIS fund investing in early-stage companies focused on AI and automation.

Fintech

Scintamscintam.com

Co-investorsOxford Technology Management

Smartyplantssmartyplants.uk

SmartyPlants makes a smart plant monitor and companion app for houseplant owners, measuring five conditions β€” light, temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and nutrients β€” and pairing readings with plant identification and tailored care advice.

ConsumerHardwareIoT

Solariskitsolariskit.comin𝕏
Spacebandsspacebands.comin

Spacebands provides a people-focused product or service for businesses; the company operates a referral program offering recurring commissions to affiliates who introduce new customers.

Future of WorkHardwareHealthtechIoTSaaSBristol, GB

Ronan Finnegan(Co-Founder)Harry Kimberley-Bowen(Co-Founder)

Spokesafespokesafe.comin𝕏

Spokesafe provides hardware, software, and consulting services to promote active mobility in urban areas.

HardwareMobility & TransportationSaaSLondon, GB

Turningturning.ioin𝕏

Turn provides background screening and compliance infrastructure for workforce platforms and employers across 30+ industries.

CybersecurityGovTechHR TechSaaS

Co-investorsKeiretsu Forum

Untapwateruntapwater.com

Co-investorsStart Capital

Water Kinetics.Cowater-kinetics.co.ukin𝕏

Water Kinetics manufactures low-energy, low-carbon water pipework systems, including its Eco-Duo pipe-within-a-pipe product that reduces installation time, cost, and carbon while improving water safety against water-borne pathogens such as Legionella.

Advanced ManufacturingCleantechConstruction TechHardwareHealthtechImpact & Social Good

Maxwell Bridges(Founding Director)Jonathan Waggott(Managing Director)

Wewearboostwewearboost.comin𝕏

Boost manufactures lightweight, breathable breast forms designed for post-mastectomy wear, created in collaboration with breast cancer survivors and marketed as an alternative to traditional heavy silicone prosthetics.

ConsumerHealthtechMedical DevicesCornwall, GB

Sam JackmanRosie Brave

White Motorcycle Conceptswhitemotorcycleconcepts.com

Developer of the V-Duct, a patented aerodynamic channel reducing motorcycle drag and improving fuel efficiency for ICE and electric powertrains.

Co-investorsKero Development Partners

Yourkoalaayourkoalaa.comin𝕏

Koalaa manufactures prosthetic sleeves for people with limb differences, offering customizable options matched to the wearer's condition and intended activities.

ConsumerMedical Devices

Zeussleepszeussleeps.com

Zeus develops sleep improvement devices, including anti-snoring and obstructive sleep apnea management products, based on proprietary TESLA technology developed through collaboration with medical institutions and researchers.

ConsumerHealthtechMedical DevicesWellness & FitnessLondon, GB

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has British Design Fund made?
British Design Fund has 36 tracked investments.
What stage does British Design Fund invest at?
British Design Fund invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
What sectors does British Design Fund focus on?
British Design Fund focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Consumer, Hardware, Healthtech, Medical Devices.
Where is British Design Fund located?
British Design Fund is headquartered in London, GB.
Who does British Design Fund co-invest with?
British Design Fund most often shares deals with Techstars, Angel Academe, Future Planet Capital, among 19 tracked co-investors.

Media Β· Podcasts & interviews

from their channel

Interview with Prof Klaus McDonald-Maier & Dr Vishuu Mohan, founders of Versatile RobotX.

British Design Fund

Interview with Rayan Osserian, co-founder of Demeter Bio

British Design Fund

Interview with Ilan Adler, CEO and founder of Eco-Nomad Solutions.

British Design Fund

Interview with LabCycle co-founders Helen Laing and Colin Francis.

British Design Fund

Interview with Jamie Hutchinson, founder and CEO of Cordon Technologies.

British Design Fund

Interview with Lucy Hughes, founder of Marina Tex

British Design Fund

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