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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

Since 2019, our Early Stage team has 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 the OrganOx 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

Our team members in London, Cambridge, and across the UK bring together deep domain knowledge, venture capital experience, and commercial insight.

  • Tim Rea
    Leadership
    LinkedIn
    Tim Rea

    Co-Head of Early Stage

  • Dennis Atkinson
    Leadership
    LinkedIn
    Dennis Atkinson

    Co-Head of Early Stage

  • Lucy Edwardes Jones
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Lucy Edwardes Jones

    Investor

  • Kate Ronayne
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Kate Ronayne

    Investor

  • Rowan Bird
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Rowan Bird

    Investor

  • Marta Lozano
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Marta Lozano

    Investor

  • Maggy Lau
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Maggy Lau

    Investor

  • Freddie Mitchell
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Freddie Mitchell

    Investor

  • Katharine Cooper
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Katharine Cooper

    Executive Assistant

  • Talia Hoffman
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Talia Hoffman

    Portfolio

  • Luke Rajah
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Luke Rajah

    Partner, Portfolio

  • Joanna Smart
    Early Stage
    LinkedIn
    Joanna Smart

    Portfolio

  • Ben Barker
    Leadership
    LinkedIn
    Ben Barker

    Head of Portfolio

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