British Design Fund
Venture capitalLondon · Pre-Seed–Seed
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.
What they invest in
from 27 of 36 portfolio companiesHardware ×11Consumer ×6AI & Machine Learning ×5Cleantech ×5Healthtech ×5IoT ×5Medical Devices ×4New Materials ×4
HQs:United Kingdom×18
Investments · 36 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathMatoha develops infrared sensor and AI-based devices that identify the composition of textiles, plastics, and flooring materials.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareNew Materials
Milbotix develops AI-enabled wearable sensors embedded in everyday clothing, particularly SmartSocks®, that capture real-time physiological data like pulse, temperature, sweat, and motion for use in research, healthcare, and social care settings.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHardwareBristol, GB
Aeropowder engineers high-performance insulation materials from feathers using a patent-pending process.
Circular EconomyNew Materials
An agricultural spraying technology company that reduces the time required to spray fields for farmers.
AgTech
DoubleCHEK™ is a medical device that confirms proper nasogastric and orogastric tube placement using pH and CO2 indicators, addressing safety concerns related to misplacement and unnecessary radiation exposure.
Medical Devices
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)
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 TechHardwareRobotics
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
Marldell, GB
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
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
Permia offers a farm management platform that combines satellite, drone, and bioacoustic sensor data with AI to deliver tree-level intelligence for palm plantations.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningIoT
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.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareHealthtechPropTechLondon, GB
Daniel McBride(Executive Officer, Director)
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 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)
Sapphire Capital Partners offers venture capital funds, including an SEIS fund investing in early-stage companies focused on AI and automation.
Fintech
SmartyPlants makes a smart plant monitor and companion app for houseplant owners, measuring five conditions — light, temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and nutrients — and pairing readings with plant identification and tailored care advice.
ConsumerHardwareIoT
Unknown Founder(Founder)
Spacebands makes a safety wearable that monitors workers' real-time exposure to hand-arm vibration and loud noise, with alerts for workers and a dashboard giving health and safety teams exposure data, trends and compliance records.
HardwareIoTSaaS
Structemp Innovations designs and manufactures the Buddy Range—recyclable thermoplastic rubber protective products that shield construction site workers and the public from contact injuries with scaffolding and rebar.
Circular EconomyConstruction Tech
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)
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
Developer of the V-Duct, a patented aerodynamic channel reducing motorcycle drag and improving fuel efficiency for ICE and electric powertrains.
Koalaa develops prosthetics designed to be accessible, affordable, and comfortable for global users.
Medical Devices
Zeus is a wearable anti-snoring device that uses TENS electrical stimulation, placed under the chin, to activate the tongue and throat muscles and keep the airway open during sleep.
ConsumerHealthtechMedical Devices
Frequently asked questions
- 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.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
from their channelInterview 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
Interview with Ben Beavers, CEO and founder of SmartyPlants.
British Design Fund
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