Techstart Ventures
Venture capitalEdinburgh · Pre-Seed–Series A · 6 people tracked
Find your way into Techstart Ventures
922 people in our graph share verified history with the Techstart Ventures team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Investment thesis
Techstart Ventures focuses on the earliest stages of company formation, investing from inception through pre-seed. It writes first cheques of up to £750k with follow-on capacity, and will lead, co-lead, or selectively co-invest in rounds. The firm concentrates on companies based in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 6 people
from curated & public directories
What they invest in
from 44 of 49 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×18SaaS ×16Enterprise Software ×12Consumer ×9Data & Infrastructure ×7Biotech ×6E-commerce ×5Future of Work ×5
HQs:United Kingdom×19Indonesia×1Ireland×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 18 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×122 founders×53 founders×1
Where their founders studiedfrom 19 founders with education data
The University of Edinburgh ×3University of Glasgow ×3Heriot-Watt University ×2Massachusetts Institute of Technology ×2MIT Sloan School of Management ×2Ulster University ×2
What their founders studiedfrom 19 founders with field-of-study data
Computer Science ×6Engineering ×6Business & Management ×4Economics ×3Humanities ×2Politics & Policy ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 19 founders with career history
Funding Circle ×2Funding Circle UK ×2
1 founders hold a PhD · 1 hold an MBA (of 21 with degree data)
Investments · 49 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 22025 · 22024 · 22023 · 12022 · 92021 · 92020 · 32018 · 129 dated
gdotv is a graph database IDE designed to help developers and data engineers work with graph technology more effectively.
Data & InfrastructureDeveloper Tools
Arthur Bigeard(CEO & Founder)in
StormHarvester provides AI-based, real-time analysis of rainfall and wastewater networks to help water utilities, municipalities, and environmental agencies shift from reactive to proactive network management.
AI & Machine LearningCleantechClimate TechIoTBelfast, GB
Brian Moloney(CEO & Founder)in
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.Emerald Technology Ventures AgYFM Equity Partners
Terrapin Finance offers an AI-powered platform that helps municipal credit analysts extract insights from bond disclosures and official statements at scale.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureFintechEdinburgh, GB
Miguel Jaques(CEO)inDaniel Dyulgerski(CPO)Juozas Norkus(CTO)in
Co-investorsOutward VC
AntennaWare designs antennas specialized for wearable devices, addressing the unique electromagnetic and form-factor constraints that general-purpose antennas fail to meet.
ConsumerDeep TechHardwareIoTCambridge, GB
Gareth
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.QUBIS
Axial3D develops an AI-powered platform that converts medical imaging data into precise 3D models for surgical planning and personalized patient care.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDigital HealthHealthtechMedical Devices
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.
Biomarx develops automated liquid biopsy diagnostics using biosensing technologies for early cancer and disease detection, delivering test results in under two hours at low cost.
BiotechDigital HealthMedical Devices
Sean Macfarlane(Founder)in
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.SFC Capital
Budibase is an open-source platform for building internal tools, AI agents, and automated workflows that connect to a company's databases, spreadsheets, LLMs, APIs, and business systems.
AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsSaaSBelfast
Michael Shanks(Executive Officer, Director)inMartin McKeaveney(Executive Officer, Director)inJoseph Johnston(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardOana Olteanu(Director)inGil Dibner(Director)in
Co-investorsAngular VenturesSignalFireTq Ventures Llc
Calendly is a scheduling platform that integrates with Microsoft Teams to automatically generate and include Teams video conferencing links in calendar events.
Enterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkSaaS
Tope Awotona(Founder, Chief Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesAtlanta Tech VillageBasecamp FundCoatue ManagementCVX VenturesFirst Row Partners+14 more
Cloudsmith outlines its operating principles, emphasizing automation, cloud-native design, transparency, and customer involvement in building its software.
Cloud ComputingCybersecurityDeveloper ToolsBelfast, GB
Co-investorsTCVBrighter CapitalLeadout CapitalMMC VenturesTapestry VCShasta Ventures
Continuum Industries is an infrastructure technology company whose AI-powered platform, Optioneer, helps utilities and developers plan, scope, permit, and deliver linear infrastructure projects across water, gas, and energy.
AI & Machine LearningCleantechEnergyEnterprise SoftwareSaaSEdinburgh, GB
Grzegorz Marecki(CEO)inAdam Anyszewski(CPO)inEmil Hansen(CTO)in
Co-investorsAvonmore DevelopmentsCreative Destruction Lab (CDL)Credo VenturesPlayfair CapitalSingular
Enzai builds an AI governance and compliance platform that helps enterprises manage, monitor, and audit AI systems while scaling deployment responsibly.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareGovTechBelfast, GB
Co-investorsCavalry VenturesNAP
Garandor develops intellectual property filtering and digital watermarking technology to mitigate generative AI risks.
AI & Machine LearningLegalTech
Matyas K. Zsoldos(Founder)in
Co-investorsOld College Capital
Glaize makes stick-on gel and reusable press-on nails that provide a salon-style finish at home without a UV lamp or acetone removal.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceLondon, GB
Gina Farran(Founder & CEO)Tom Christensen(Founder)
Co-investorsThe Fund
Go Swag is a B2B merchandise and promotional products platform that curates and sells branded items to enterprises and mid-market companies.
Circular EconomyClimate TechConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceEnterprise SoftwareMarketplacesSaaS
Conor McKenna(Founder)in
Co-investorsMercia Ventures
HeySummit is a platform for creating and hosting virtual events and summits, offering a dashboard with pre-loaded templates and automations to plan events.
Creator EconomyEdTechFuture of WorkMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaS
Benjamin Dell(Founder)in
Co-investorsTinySeedActive Capital
Higlo builds technology and a hardware device ("Hearth") designed for families to share and stay connected across distances, using one shared account for all ages rather than individual-focused products.
ConsumerHardwareSocial
Martin Lind(Founder)in
Co-investorsCambridge Angels group
Loadar provides software solutions for enterprise logistics management, including transportation management systems, procurement tools, and visibility platforms for shippers and carriers.
Enterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS
Ciaran Doherty(CEO)in
Co-investorsFrontline Ventures
loyalBe helps companies attract and retain customers more efficiently by eliminating wasted marketing budgets, serving brands and financial institutions across 40+ countries.
AdTechFintechMarketing TechBelfast, GB
Cormac Quinn(Founder)in
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.
LumenStream provides fully managed energy efficiency services that combine financing, installation, and ongoing support for businesses seeking to modernize infrastructure while reducing carbon footprint and operational costs.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyEnterprise Software
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.
Lupovis is a cybersecurity platform that captures real attacker activity and threat intelligence to provide context for security operations teams.
CybersecurityEnterprise Software
Co-investorsNauta CapitalVolta Ventures
NetAI applies artificial intelligence techniques to mobile networking optimization.
AI & Machine LearningEnergyEnterprise SoftwareEdinburgh, GB
Co-investorsNauta Capital
Neurolabs provides near-real-time visibility into promotional compliance, pricing accuracy, product availability, and display execution for CPG brands through a crowdsourced field network.
AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechRetail Tech
Paul Pop(Founder)inPatric Fulop(Co-founder)inRemus Pop(Co-Founder & CRO)in
Co-investorsLunar VenturesNauta CapitalLAUNCHub Ventures
Neurovalens develops medical devices using neuromodulation technology to address health conditions including obesity and anxiety disorders.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesMental HealthNorthern Ireland, GB
Dr. Jason McKeown(MD PhD, Founder)
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.IQ CapitalACF InvestorsBeltrae PartnersBritish Business BankInvest Northern Ireland
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Desana provides an AI-powered platform for real estate brokers that automates quote collection, proposal creation, and procurement management across the global flexible workspace market.
AI & Machine LearningB2B MarketplacesEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkPropTechSaaS
Co-investorsGroundBreak VenturesJLL Spark Global VenturesPT1JLL Spark
Raylo operates a subscription platform for electronics brands, allowing consumers and businesses to access devices through flexible rental and upgrade options.
Circular EconomyConsumerE-commerceMarketplacesSaaSUK, GB
Karl Gilbert(Founder)inJinden Badesha(Founder)in
Co-investorsChannel 4 VenturesHoughton Street VenturesQuilam CapitalMacquarie CapitalNatWestOctopus Ventures
A tool that helps businesses evaluate and compare packaging options by analyzing costs, carbon emissions, and material use in real time.
Circular EconomyCleantechClimate TechData & InfrastructureLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS
Emily Rogers(Founder)in
Co-investorsEcho River Capital
A platform for buying and selling pre-owned streetwear and archive fashion items, serving collectors interested in sustainable resale.
Circular EconomyConsumerE-commerce
RETìníZE builds Animotive, a VR SaaS tool that uses spatial computing, generative AI, and real-time rendering to simplify and lower the cost of 3D animation production.
AI & Machine LearningMedia & EntertainmentSaaS
Phil Morrow(Co-founder)inJack Morrow(Co-founder)in
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.Innovation UlsterQUBISSure Valley Ventures
Roomr builds a semantic layer for physical spaces using AI to create photorealistic and accurate 3D models of interiors.
AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechPropTech
MaurizioMarco
SciLeads provides a database and platform for identifying, engaging, and qualifying research scientists as sales prospects, serving B2B scientific companies globally with lead generation and market research capabilities.
BiotechData & InfrastructureMarketing TechSaaSSales Tech
Laura Haldane(Founder)in
Sensoteq manufactures Kappa X, a wireless vibration sensor that monitors rotating machinery across industries by collecting vibration, temperature, and speed data with high-bandwidth capability for early fault detection.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareIoT
Alan McCallinIdir Boudaoudin
Co-investorsMaven Capital PartnersWhiterock Finance
Sonrai Analytics provides scientific data analysis services for biomedical research programs, combining bioinformatics, data science, and translational expertise to convert complex datasets into actionable clinical evidence.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechData & InfrastructureHealthtechBelfast, GB
Darragh McArtin
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.Molten VenturesEckuityQUBIS
Stampede provides hospitality management software for restaurants and venues, featuring AI-powered phone booking assistants, digital wallet integration, ticketed events, guest management, and operational tools like staff scheduling and Wi-Fi management.
Enterprise SoftwareSaaSUK, GB
Stora provides software for self-storage operators to standardize operations, automate workflows, and increase revenue.
Enterprise SoftwarePropTechSaaSBelfast, GB
Gavin Shields(Founder)in
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.Investment Fund for Northern Ireland
SuperMethod builds developer tools and cloud infrastructure services for the internet.
Cloud ComputingDeveloper Tools
TeamFeePay provides a platform for collecting fees from players at sports clubs and academies.
B2B MarketplacesConsumerFuture of WorkSaaSSports Tech
Liam McStravick(CEO and Co-Founder)in
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.YFM Equity Partners
That Works provides software to reduce coordination friction across tools and teams in organizations, enabling faster decision-making and execution powered by AI capabilities.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkSaaS
TouchLab develops tactile sensing technology for robots, enabling them to perceive and interact with their environment through touch rather than relying solely on vision.
Deep TechHardwareRobotics
Dr. Zaki Hussein
Co-investorsOctopus Ventures
Unfolded is a sustainable clothing brand that designs women's apparel with input from its customer community and produces garments on demand in ethical factories in India to reduce waste.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceEdinburgh, GB
Cally Russell(Founder)inJamie Sutherland(Founder)inHilde Frydnes(Founder)in
Co-investorsFJ LabsPareto Holdings
Valla provides legal tools and guidance for individuals to pursue employment claims and tribunal cases without hiring a traditional law firm.
LegalTechUK, GB
Danae Shell(Founder)in
Co-investorsActive PartnersAda VenturesPortfolio Ventures
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Vana is an open data infrastructure platform that enables individuals to control and manage the data they generate, with the ability to choose how it is used by AI systems.
AI & Machine LearningData & Infrastructure
Art Abal(Founder)
Co-investorsAbstract VenturesAlphaLab CapitalCaladanEarl Grey CapitalParadigmSCB 10X+7 more
Vana provides open data infrastructure for AI that lets individuals control the data they create and choose how it is used.
AI & Machine LearningCrypto & Web3Data & Infrastructure
Co-investorsFlori VenturesBoxGroupCoinbase VenturesDeFiance CapitalExSight VenturesGSR+7 more
Paradoxx develops hair care products formulated with natural ingredients and proprietary technology to promote scalp health and hair thickness.
BiotechConsumerDirect to ConsumerHealthtechWellness & Fitness
Yolanda Cooper(Founder + Lead Trichologist)in
Co-investorsClarendon Fund Managers Ltd.
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
DesanaLiopaProduct GuruSpectingaThis is Unfolded
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesVana · ophthalmologytimes.com · Sep 1, 2026
Calendly · en.wikipedia.org · Aug 26, 2026
Stampede · boereport.com · Jul 9, 2026
Lupovis · darkreading.com · Jul 6, 2026
Responsible · unearthed.greenpeace.org · Jun 24, 2026
GoSwag · trysignalbase.com · May 27, 2026
Neurovalens · siliconrepublic.com · May 26, 2026
Reath · athletics.com.au · May 20, 2026
Principals & officers · per Companies House
what is this? ⓘLLP designated member · since 2017
LLP designated member · since 2019
LLP designated member · since 2017
Corporate LLP member · since 2017
Mark Stephen Hogarth — 25–50% of voting rights, right to share surplus assets 25 to 50 percent limited liability partnership
Henry Richard Ernest Wilson — 25–50% of voting rights, right to share surplus assets 25 to 50 percent limited liability partnership
James Robert John Andrews — 25–50% of voting rights, right to share surplus assets 25 to 50 percent limited liability partnership
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Techstart Ventures made?
- Techstart Ventures has 49 tracked investments, including 4 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Techstart Ventures invest at?
- Techstart Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Techstart Ventures's typical check size?
- Techstart Ventures typically writes checks of $950K.
- What sectors does Techstart Ventures focus on?
- Techstart Ventures focuses on Consumer, EdTech, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Hardware, Healthtech, Media & Entertainment, Retail Tech, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Techstart Ventures located?
- Techstart Ventures is headquartered in Edinburgh, GB.
- Does Techstart Ventures lead rounds?
- Yes, Techstart Ventures leads investment rounds.
- Who does Techstart Ventures co-invest with?
- Techstart Ventures most often shares deals with Clarendon Fund Managers Ltd., Cavalry Ventures, Channel 4 Ventures, among 46 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamHal Wilson, Partner, Techstart Ventures, Financial Intermediary, Northern Ireland, UK.
fi-compass · Hal Wilson
Images
Co-investors · 16
Nauta Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage software companies across Europe.
Pareto Holdings is an early-stage investment and company-building firm headquartered in the United States that operates globally. It has never raised outside capital and is self-funded by design.
LAUNCHub Ventures is an early-stage venture fund investing in seed and Series A companies from South-Eastern Europe and the CEE region.
Credo Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund focused on backing founders from the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region and its global diaspora, active since 2009.
Frontline is a venture firm that backs B2B technology companies across the US and Europe, helping them expand and win in the transatlantic market through two dedicated funds.
Playfair Capital is a pre-seed technology investor operating as a generalist fund. The firm focuses on early-stage technology companies.
Family office angel fund investing in early-stage companies across all sectors. Founded by a former Facebook engineer, Brighter Capital makes 10-20 direct investments annually ranging from $25K-$100K per deal, with a focus on founding teams, traction, and companies building toward positive impact.
Ada Ventures is a venture capital firm that backs early-stage founders, offering support such as back-up childcare, founder welfare resources, a growth specialist for sales and go-to-market, and a dedicated talent partner to help build teams.
Everywhere Ventures is an early-stage venture firm, backed by a community of founders and operators as LPs, that writes early checks (including pre-seed) into startups across many sectors and geographies.
SOSV is a deep tech venture capital firm that makes first-check pre-seed investments and follow-on rounds in startups focused on human and planetary health, providing lab space and hands-on support at its US locations.
Mayfield is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage consumer and marketplace companies, backing founders from inception through IPO.
Vibe Capital is a $10M venture fund investing in Web3, AI, and Deep Science startups at the pre-seed and seed stage.
▶4 more co-investors
7percent VenturesSorenson VenturesAccenture VenturesTechnology Crossover Ventures
Firms observed investing alongside Techstart Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Techstart Ventures's recorded portfolio.
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