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Early Stage

Life sciences and deep tech specialists — bold ideas, backed early

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We back ambitious founders across the UK and Ireland that are turning breakthrough ideas into world-leading businesses in deep tech and life sciences. We bring deep domain expertise, alongside scaling support, from a platform that few early-stage investors can match.

What we do

We make initial investments of £3m-£10m, focused on deep tech and life sciences companies that meet the following criteria:

  • Headquartered in the UK or Ireland
  • Seeking funding from late seed to series B
  • Possess compelling, validated technology, with a clear value proposition
  • Underpinned by strong market drivers and early commercial traction
Gaussion leadership team

Life sciences

We’re helping to turn world-class research and scientific discovery into meaningful patient outcomes. So far, we’ve deployed £160m+ across our focus areas of:

  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • MedTech
  • Diagnostics
  • Advanced Tools & Materials
Mixed-gender leadership team of BGF-backed life sciences startup TidalSense

Deep tech

We back pioneering technologies, grounded in scientific and engineering excellence, to enable the next generation of global disruptors. We’ve invested £110m+ across our focus areas of:

  • Semiconductors & Photonics
  • Advanced Materials
  • AI & Software Platforms
  • Energy Storage & Management
  • Energy & Resource Efficiency
Phlux Technology team photo, in front of logo wall

Accelerating impact

Our Early Stage team members in London, Cambridge, and across the UK bring together deep domain knowledge, venture capital experience, and commercial insight. Since 2019, they’ve built a track record of scaling science-led innovation into global success:

  • £270m+ investment deployed
  • 60+ high-growth companies backed
  • 130+ transactions completed
Ruizhi Wang, CEO of Abselion

How we’re different

We’re uniquely equipped to provide venture capital investment, with the reach and resources of a private equity platform:

Domain expertise

Deep technical and commercial expertise, across PhDs, MBAs and experience in VC, consulting, banking and tech

Scaling support

A dedicated team to support your go-to-market strategy, product-market fit, talent mapping, and more

Track record

Built on a foundation of 600+ investments and 200+ exits, across the full BGF portfolio

Patient capital

Evergreen fund structure that’s been purpose-built to support long-term growth

  • “BGF brings the best of both worlds – the backing of a major fund and the hands-on support of people who really care about founders.”

    Tom Heenan, Co-Founder & CEO of Gaussion
  • “BGF is set apart by their ability to take a long-term view, having supported us both on our Board and with £35m of capital, across six funding rounds – taking us from lab-scale to a global leader.”

    Craig Marshall, CEO at OrganOx
  • “What sets BGF apart is their understanding of deep tech – they grasp the complexity and the opportunity, and they’ve been with us every step of the journey.”

    Jean de la Verpilliere, Co-Founder & CEO of Echion

Meet the team

  • 3018Tim Rea
    Leadership
    LinkedIn
    Tim Rea

    Co-Head of Early Stage

  • 3122Dennis Atkinson
    Leadership
    LinkedIn
    Dennis Atkinson

    Co-Head of Early Stage

  • 3096Lucy Edwardes Jones
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Lucy Edwardes Jones

    Investor

  • 7928Kate Ronayne
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Kate Ronayne

    Investor

  • 3076Rowan Bird
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Rowan Bird

    Investor

  • 7650Maggy Lau
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Maggy Lau

    Investor

  • 3230Freddie Mitchell
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Freddie Mitchell

    Investor

  • 3074Katharine Cooper
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Katharine Cooper

    Executive Assistant

  • 3160Talia Hoffman
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Talia Hoffman

    Portfolio

  • 3194Luke Rajah
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Luke Rajah

    Partner, Portfolio

  • 2901Ben Barker
    Leadership
    LinkedIn
    Ben Barker

    Head of Portfolio

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