Fundraising Fox

UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund

Venture capital

London · Pre-Seed–Series A · 24 people tracked

Also known as The Rainbow Seed Fund

Fox Verdict
Sign up to see your fit

Investment thesis

UKI2S backs early-stage, ambitious businesses and university/research spinouts across the UK, providing capital and hands-on support from pre-seed through exit. With a 20-year track record, it helps portfolio companies raise further funding, recruit senior talent, build boards, advance DE&I and ESG, and deliver impact. The fund emphasizes co-investment, attracting roughly £25 of private capital for every £1 it invests, and leverages the broader Future Planet Capital network to help science- and technology-driven companies grow and scale.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Series A
Check
$127K – $635K
HQ
London, GB
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2001
AUM
$187.5M
Tracked investments
86

Team · 24 people

from the firm's website & curated & public directories

What they invest in

from 62 of 86 portfolio companies

Deep Tech ×39Biotech ×29AI & Machine Learning ×19Hardware ×13Healthtech ×11AgTech ×9Medical Devices ×8New Materials ×8

HQs:United Kingdom×47Ireland×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 39 portfolio companies
54%
solo founders
21 of 39 mapped founding teams
15%
repeat founders
of 13 founders with career history

Founding team size:solo founder×212 founders×113 founders×64+ founders×1

Where their founders worked beforefrom 13 founders with career history

The Alan Turing Institute ×2The University of Sheffield ×2University of Bristol ×2

Investments · 86 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path
​ OxCan (Oxford Cancer Analytics)oxcan.orgin✓ verified

Oxford Cancer Analytics develops a diagnostics platform that combines reproducible proteomic measurement with AI to produce evidence-based insights supporting clinical decision-making.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechMedical DevicesOxford, GB

Andreas Halner(Founder and Head of Healthcare AI)inHeinrich Roder(Chief Technology Officer)inDaniel Szulc(Chief Product Officer)in

Co-investorsEka VenturesCross-Border Impact VenturesMeridian Health VenturesCivilization Ventures Management, LlcDigitalDx VenturesOnstage+1 more

Keitkeit.co.ukin𝕏✓ verified

Keit is a technology hardware company founded in 2013 as a spin-out from the Science and Technology Facilities Council and European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre, developing new technology for established industries.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareOxfordshire, GB

Co-investorsWren CapitalFuture Planet Capital

14 Glialignglialign.com

Co-investorsUCL Technology Fund

Adamo Foods Seedadamofoods.comin𝕏

Adamo Foods develops meat alternatives using a proprietary fermentation technology, producing fungi-based (mycelium) steaks and fillets.

BiotechDeep TechFoodTech

Pierre Dupuis(Founder)in

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

Antiverse Seedantiverse.ioin𝕏

Antiverse is a techbio company that uses machine learning and cell line engineering to design de novo antibody therapeutics against difficult targets such as G-protein coupled receptors and ion channels.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechCardiff, GB

Ben H.(Founder)in

Co-investorsCambridge Angels groupDeep Science VenturesDOMiNO VenturesFuture Planet CapitalInnospark Ventures

Aquark Technologies Seedaquarktechnologies.comin

AQuark Technologies develops miniaturised quantum hardware based on cold-atom sensing and timing technologies, using expertise in vacuum engineering, micro-fabrication, and photonics.

Deep TechHardwareQuantum ComputingSouthampton, GB

Andrei Dragomir(Founder)in

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

ArkVax Seedarkvax.com

ArkVax develops glycoconjugate vaccines for animal health using genetic engineering of bacterial cells, aiming to provide broader protection than current vaccines.

AgTechBiotechHealthtech

Jon Cuccui(Founder)in

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

Ascension Unkownascension.globalin

Ascension develops technology related to the extraction or supply of critical materials used in applications such as magnets for wind turbines, solar panel coatings, speakers, displays, and batteries.

CleantechDeep TechNew Materials

Jonathan Blundy(Co-founder)Mike Kendall(Co-founder)Motoaki Sumi(Co-founder)

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

Astut
Astut Seedastut.co.uk

Astut develops a hybrid AI system for supporting high stakes unseen decisions (HSUD), where organisations face one-off, irrevocable strategic choices with no prior outcomes to learn from.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise Software

Pete Grindrod(CEO)Sharon Whiteside(Head of Data & Analytics, CTO)

Co-investorsFuture Planet CapitalSure Valley Ventures

Atelerix Seedatelerix.co.ukin𝕏

Atelerix develops hypothermic hydrogel encapsulation technology that stabilises and preserves fresh cells, tissues, and blood at room temperature, eliminating the need for cryopreservation and cold-chain logistics.

BiotechMedical DevicesNew Materials

Steve Swioklo(Founder)in

Co-investorsCambridge Angels groupFuture Planet CapitalO2h Ventures

Atheras Analytics Seedatherasanalytics.comin

Atheras Analytics develops software tools for satellite operators to optimize the design and operation of high-throughput satellite networks that deliver broadband services globally.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechSaaSSpace Tech

John Yates(Chairman of the Board, Co-founder)Dr. Charilaos Kourogiorgas(Director, Co-founder)James Youdale(President)Dr. Hector Fenech(Director)

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

Bitrobius Genetics Seedbitrobius.comin

Bitrobius develops gene therapy technologies, specifically the Gentrafix platform, leveraging microbial molecular biology and genetic engineering.

BiotechDeep TechHealthtech

Dr Rocky Cranenburgh(Founder)

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

CamGene Therapeuticscamgenetx.comin

CamGene Therapeutics develops RNA-based medicines, including mRNA, siRNA, and antisense oligonucleotides delivered via lipid nanoparticles, to treat the underlying cellular dysfunction that causes hearing loss.

BiotechDeep TechHealthtechCambridge, GB

Arpan Desai(CEO & Co-founder)Prashant Shah(Co-founder)Sunil Shah(Co-founder)

Co-investorsCambridge Angels groupEos AdvisoryFuture Planet Capital

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-investorsBritish Design FundFuture Planet Capital

Cytotrait Managed by: Hassan Mahmudulcytotrait.comin

Cytotrait develops genetic technologies for crop improvement through chloroplast engineering.

AgTechBiotechManchester, GB

Junwei Ji(Co-Founder & Executive Director)Anil Day(Co-founder & Scientific Advisor)Tim Brears(Executive Chair)

Co-investorsNorthern Gritstone

digiLab
digiLab Managed by: Mark Whitedigilab.aiin

digiLab provides an AI platform called the Uncertainty Engine that helps organizations and governments tackle complex, high-stakes challenges by combining machine learning with uncertainty quantification for safer, more explainable decision-making.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise Software

Prof. Tim Dodwell(Co-Founder & CEO)inDr. Anhad Sandhu(Co-Founder & GM Saudi)inDr. Andrew Corbett(Director of AI)inRory Scott Russell(Chief Growth Officer)in

BoardDr. Nigel Toon(Chairman)in

ExactTrak
ExactTrak Seedexacttrak.comin

ExactTrak builds SmartSafe, embedded security technology that operates outside the operating system and BIOS to protect devices and data from cyber threats, tampering and human error.

CybersecurityHardwareIoT

Norman Shaw(Founder)in

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

Fusion Energy Partners
Fusion Energy Partners Seedfusionenergypartners.com

Fusion Energy Partners provides engineering and technical consulting services to fusion energy research projects and organizations, drawing on deep expertise in fusion system design, construction, operation, and decommissioning.

CleantechDeep TechEnergyCulham, GB

Chris(Managing Director)Martin(Technical Director)

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

Halo X Ray Technologieshaloxray.comin

HALO develops real-time X-ray diffraction technology for automatic materials identification across aviation security, medical systems, and industrial applications.

Deep TechDefense TechGovTechHardware

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

Halo Xray
Helix Geospacehelixgeospace.comin

Helix Geospace designs and manufactures compact, high-performance antennas for satellite navigation and communications using proprietary Dielectrix technology.

Deep TechDefense TechHardwareSpace TechAbingdon, GB

Oliver Leisten(Founder)

Co-investorsBloc VenturesFuture Planet Capital

HonuWorxhonu-x.comin

HonuWorx develops uncrewed subsea robotics and communications platforms to replace surface vessels in offshore operations, serving oil and gas, offshore wind, and defence sectors.

Deep TechDefense TechEnergyRoboticsAberdeen, GB

Lee Wilson(Co-founder)Lucas Wissmann(Co-founder)Callum Crawford(Head of Programmes)

BoardSteven Gray(Chairman)

Co-investorsScottish EnterpriseFuture Planet CapitalTRICAPITALVala Capital

HotHouse Therapeutics Seedhothousetx.comin

HotHouse Therapeutics uses artificial intelligence and synthetic biology to reprogram plant biosynthetic pathways to create novel pharmaceutical compounds not achievable through traditional chemical synthesis.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechNorwich, GB

Professor Anne Osbourn OBE FRS FLS(Chief Science Officer)Dr David Sheppard(Chief Executive Officer)

Co-investorsCambridge Angels groupFuture Planet CapitalTwin Path Ventures

HutanBio Seedhutanbio.comin

HutanBio develops marine microalgae-derived biofuels for decarbonizing heavy transport, using industrial-scale production platforms deployed on non-arable land without freshwater consumption.

BiotechCleantechClimate TechEnergyLondon, GB

Dr. John Archer(Founder and CSO)Dr. Noor Azlin Mokhtar(Founder & MD (Asia))Manshu Agarwal(CEO)

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

HydRegen

Oxford spin-out developing hydrogen-driven enzyme biocatalysts that replace metal catalysts in pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing.

Co-investorsClean Growth Fund

HydRegen Seedhydregenoxford.comin𝕏

Hydregen develops biocatalysis platform technologies that integrate into existing chemical manufacturing infrastructure, aiming to cut process costs by 40-50% while lowering energy use and carbon emissions.

BiotechCleantechNew Materials

Co-investorsFuture Planet CapitalOxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION)Oxford Technology Management

iFASTifastdiagnostics.comin

iFAST Diagnostics develops rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) technology that delivers susceptibility test results in under 3 hours, significantly faster than the standard 40-hour process.

BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesWhiteley, GB

Toby King(CEO)in

Co-investorsMeridian Health VenturesCambridge Capital GroupInnovate UKRaw VenturesFuture Planet Capital

IGS (Geoscience International)
IGS Seedigsint.comin𝕏

International Geoscience Services provides specialized geodata collection, compilation, and interpretation services to support mineral exploration for governments, development agencies, and industry.

AgTechData & InfrastructureDeep TechEnergyEnterprise SoftwareGovTech

Garth Earls(Director)Mark Parker(Director)

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

Ikarovec Seedikarovec.comin

Ikarovec is a biotech company focused on developing treatments for retinal diseases affecting vision.

BiotechDeep TechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesNorwich, GB

Peter Widdowson, PhD(Scientific Founder)Thomas Ciulla, M.D, MBA(President and Chief Executive Officer)

Co-investorsLifeArc VenturesFuture Planet Capital

Inition
Inition Seedinition.energy

이명열(Founder)Boris G.(Founder)in

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

Laverock Therapeutics Seedlaverocktx.comin

Laverock Tx is a biotechnology company working in the gene therapy and gene editing space, with a leadership and advisory team drawn from cell and gene therapy, immunology, and life-science investing backgrounds.

BiotechDeep TechHealthtech

Co-investorsCalculus Capital Ltd.Eos AdvisoryFuture Planet CapitalTekfen Ventures

Lineat
Lineat Seedlineat.co.ukin

Lineat develops advanced fibre-forming technology (AFFT) for manufacturing recycled carbon fibre products, including sporting equipment.

Advanced ManufacturingCircular EconomyDeep TechNew MaterialsBristol, GB

Dr. Lourens Blok(CTO, Co-founder)Gary Owen(CEO)Luis Cunha(Director of Engineering)

Co-investorsFuture Planet CapitalOne Planet CapitalOxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION)

Luffy AI

Develops adaptive neural networks that expand equipment operating envelopes and enhance system resilience in field deployment.

Co-investorsChrysalixMomenta Ventures

Luffy AI Seedluffy.aiin

Luffy AI develops neuroplastic AI controllers that provide a real-time adaptive control layer for physical systems, running on existing on-board hardware.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechRobotics

Alex Meakins(Founder)in

Co-investorsBow CapitalChrysalixFuture Planet CapitalMomenta Ventures

Machine Discovery Seedmach42.aiin

Mach42 offers a cloud-based platform that uses neural networks to accelerate simulation and design optimization across complex engineering problems.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechSaaSSemiconductors

Bijan Kiani(CEO)

Co-investorsFuture Planet CapitalForesight Group

Messium Seedmessium.co.uk

Messium uses satellite hyperspectral imaging (160 wavelengths at 5m resolution) and AI trained on lab samples to measure crop nitrogen levels and generate variable-rate fertiliser application maps.

AgTechAI & Machine LearningSpace TechLondon, GB

George Gilks(CEO)inVishal Soomaney Vijaykumar(CTO)in

Co-investorsEntrepreneur FirstExpansion VenturesFuture Planet CapitalNewland SyndicateSuperSeed

MitoRx Therapeuticsmitorxtherapeutics.comin

MitoRx is a preclinical-stage biotech developing MTRX31, a first-in-class small molecule that restores mitochondrial metabolism to eliminate ectopic fat in patients with metabolically unhealthy, high-risk obesity.

BiotechLongevity

Jon R.(Founder)in

Co-investorsFuture Planet CapitalOxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION)Oxford Technology ManagementWren Capital

MuWave
MycoNourish Managed by: Shruti Iyengarmyconourish.com
NKIO Seednk-io.com

NK:IO develops natural killer (NK) cell and small molecule therapies for cancer, targeting both haematological and solid tumours such as ovarian cancer.

BiotechDeep TechHealthtechLondon, GB

Hugh Brady(Co-founder)Matthew J. Fuchter(Co-founder)Andrew Baxendalein

Co-investorsCambridge Angels groupFuture Planet Capital

Northrownorthrow.comin𝕏

ID-Pal provides AI-powered online identity verification and AML screening for businesses to meet KYC and KYB compliance requirements.

AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSDublin, IE

Colum Lyons(CEO and Founder)James O'Toole(Chief Business Officer)Robert O'Farrell(Chief Technology Officer)

Co-investorsBayes Entrepreneurship FundFuture Planet CapitalPerscitus LLPQVentures

Opteraoptera.uk

Optera develops bio-inspired, event-based vision sensors and neuromorphic semiconductor chips paired with on-source processing algorithms to provide situational awareness in space and defence environments.

Deep TechDefense TechSemiconductorsSpace Tech

Co-investorsBlackfinch VenturesEmpirical VenturesForesightForesight GroupFuture Planet Capital

Oxford Space Systems - companyoxford.space

Oxford Space Systems designs and manufactures deployable antennas for satellites, focused on reducing mass and improving stowage efficiency and performance.

Deep TechHardwareSpace TechHarwell, GB

Sean Sutcliffein

Co-investorsCambridge Angels groupEMV CapitalFuture Planet CapitalLongwall Venture Partners LLPMartlet CapitalOxford Investment Opportunity Network+4 more

Pencil Biosciences - companypencilbiosciences.comin

Pencil Biosciences develops a fully synthetic, modular, non-CRISPR gene editing platform that edits DNA without causing a break or nick.

BiotechDeep TechHealthtech

Co-investorsEMV CapitalFuture Planet CapitalMartlet CapitalNorthern GritstoneOctopus Ventures

Presymptom Health Seedpresymptom.com

Co-investorsFuture Planet Capital

ProductiveMachines Seedproductivemachines.co.ukin

Productive Machines develops software, including its SenseNC product and stability-map technology, that optimizes CNC machine tool settings and toolpaths to eliminate chatter vibrations, improving part quality, productivity, and tool life.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningSaaS

Erdem Ozturk(Founder)in

Co-investorsACT Venture PartnersFuture Planet CapitalFuel Ventures

Q5D
Q5D Managed by: Mark Whiteq5d.comin

Q5D develops automated wiring solutions for manufacturing, addressing labour shortages and enabling electrification in automotive and industrial sectors.

Advanced ManufacturingHardwareRoboticsPortishead, Bristol, GB

Stephen Bennington(CEO)Chris Elsworthy(CTO)Rachel Eggington(COO)Janet Donovan(CFO)Simon Baggott(CMO)in

Co-investorsChrysalixUntroD CapitalLockheed Martin Ventures

Qdot Technology Seedqdot.techin𝕏

Qdot develops custom aerothermal and thermal management technologies, including heat exchangers, battery packs, and hybrid propulsion systems, using additive manufacturing and AI-driven design.

CleantechDeep TechHardware

Jack Nicholas(Co-founder)Holt Wong(Co-founder)Peter Ireland(Co-founder)in

Co-investorsEast InnovateFuture Planet CapitalOxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION)

Quantum Dice
Quantum Dice Seedquantum-dice.comin

Quantum Dice develops a scalable probabilistic computing platform using quantum photonic technology to address energy-intensive AI models and complex industrial optimization problems.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechQuantum ComputingOxford, GB

Co-investorsA15Future Planet CapitalElaia

QuberTechqubertech.ukin

QuberTech is a UK-based biotechnology company developing biotech tools to produce natural rubber from alternative crops grown in controlled environments, aiming to deliver traceable and sustainable materials.

AgTechBiotechNew Materials

Co-investorsSustainable Ventures

Resurrect Bioresurrect.bioin

Resurrect Bio develops genetic disease-resistance traits for crops by restoring plant R-genes, using its FloraFold AI platform and rapid in-planta screening for trait discovery.

AgTechAI & Machine LearningBiotech

Cian Duggan(CEO / Co-Founder)Tolga Bozkurt(Co-Founder)Sophien Kamoun(Co-Founder)

Co-investorsCalculus Capital Ltd.Future Planet CapitalSynBioVenAgFunderPymwymic

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund made?
UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund has 84 tracked investments.
What stage does UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund invest at?
UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
What is UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund's typical check size?
UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund typically writes checks of $127K – $635K.
What sectors does UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund focus on?
UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Biotech, Cleantech, Climate Tech, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, EdTech, Energy, Hardware, Healthtech, Impact & Social Good, IoT, Medical Devices, SaaS, Sector Agnostic, Space Tech.
Where is UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund located?
UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund is headquartered in London, GB.
Who does UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund co-invest with?
UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund most often shares deals with Future Planet Capital, Cambridge Angels group, Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION), among 67 tracked co-investors.

Images

UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund photoUK Innovation & Science Seed Fund photo

Similar investors

Featured in lists