Emerging Companies and Venture Capital

Some of the most spectacular UK business growth has been in companies creating or enabled by pioneering technology, often supported and funded by venture capital investors.

As an ever-widening pool of investors seek strong opportunities with potential for high growth, a new generation of disruptive organisations and start-ups with novel propositions seek funding and partnership with people who share their vision.

Making these connections demands a determined and astute approach and an expert level of market oversight.

Our Emerging Companies and Venture Capital teams have extensive experience in advising emerging technology, life sciences and digital health businesses at all stages of their life cycle (from early stage investment to exit), as well as acting for venture capitalists, angel investors, syndicates and institutional investors (including investment funds specialising in seed capital, venture capital and growth equity). The teams also advise on transactions with universities and research organisations.

View a selection of our fundraising deals here.

Venture Capital

We advise investors and companies in connection with nearly 200 private company financings each year, driving innovation by providing the catalyst for further growth opportunities. Our clients and contacts benefit from our deep understanding of the marketplace and our strong investor and institutional relationships. By being commercially pragmatic we can advise on whether a deal deviates from the market norm, and how best to manage potential risk.

Emerging Companies

Whether you’re an entrepreneurial business looking for early-stage advice or are seeking more investment as your plans take shape, we provide the specialist funding and investment expertise for technology-driven growth companies, including: :

setting-up and initial funding
expansion and further investment
advising directors on their ongoing duties and obligations
licensing and exploiting your technology
taking on and retaining staff and contractors
eventually selling your business or listing on AIM.

With our strong track record in technology, healthcare and life sciences, SaaS, ecotech, agritech and other fast-evolving sectors, we are firmly established in the science hubs of Cambridge and Oxford and the technology innovation ecosystem of London. We act for university spin-outs, innovative start-ups, founders and entrepreneurs, building relationships that last throughout their business journey.

Each of our team members can advise on a wide range of intellectual property, corporate, funding, share option and commercial issues.

Clients benefit from high quality, consistent support that draws on expertise from across our firm, covering aspects such as IP, commercial contracts, IT, data and privacy matters, employment, real estate, commercial disputes and restructuring.

As you look to grow your business, it’s wise to consider your personal future and all that you are working for. We have set up a streamlined and convenient service for protecting your ownership and family.

Exits

With a strong track record of advising investor-backed companies, we are ideally placed to support companies in their eventual exit, whether as a sale to a trade buyer or private equity acquiror. Our team has extensive experience advising companies and their stakeholders (including founders, early investors, institutional investors and management option holders) on such transactions, and we are adept at managing the diverse priorities and interests involved, whilst maintaining a commercial approach and ensuring the deal completes efficiently. In the case of a private equity exit, our Private Equity team is able to advise management to ensure they receive the best possible terms.