British Business Bank backs Episode 1 Fund IV with GBP £35M
The British Business Bank has committed up to GBP £35 million to Episode 1's Fund IV, marking its fourth investment in an Episode 1 fund.
The commitment follows earlier backing for the venture firm's 2014 Fund I, 2018 Fund II and 2022 Fund III. Episode 1 invests in early-stage companies, primarily at the pre-seed and seed stages, with a focus on software-led UK businesses across artificial intelligence, software infrastructure, deep tech, and tech bio.
The investment forms part of the Bank's role as a major investor in UK venture and growth capital funds. Cornerstone commitments can help funds reach a first close and attract further private sector investment.
Fund IV is expected to continue backing businesses linked to the UK's Industrial Strategy sectors. According to the Bank, a significant majority of Episode 1's Fund III portfolio mapped to five of the eight priority sectors: digital and technology, financial services, professional and business services, clean energy, and life sciences.
The latest commitment also reflects the Bank's stated plan to direct more capital towards those sectors over the next five years. The institution, the UK government's economic development bank, says its programmes support GBP £23 billion of finance for almost 64,000 smaller businesses.
Christine Hockley, Managing Director and Co-head of Funds at British Business Bank, said the programme is intended to increase the availability of capital for innovative UK businesses. "Our fund investments are designed to increase the availability of capital for innovative UK businesses, allowing them to start, scale and stay in the UK. By making a cornerstone commitment to Episode 1's Fund IV, we are expanding the pool of capital available to support high-growth, high return innovative businesses," she said.
Michael Laycock, Investment Director, Funds, at British Business Bank, said Episode 1 had shown a strong track record in backing early-stage UK businesses with growth potential.
"Episode 1 has a strong track record of backing early stage UK businesses with strong growth potential. Fund IV represents the fourth Episode 1 fund that we have backed and we are pleased to continue our support. Fund IV will continue to make a substantial impact supporting primarily UK based businesses operating in the Industrial Strategy sectors, further fuelling UK economic growth, by supporting promising UK businesses to scale," Laycock said.
Early-stage focus
Episode 1 has built its investment approach around identifying and assessing software-driven start-ups at a very early stage. The firm says it uses an algorithmic method to source and evaluate companies, alongside a behavioural approach to founder selection.
Its portfolio includes businesses such as Lawhive, Carwow, Mantic and Source.dev. The latest backing from the British Business Bank gives Episode 1 additional institutional support as it looks to invest in another group of UK start-ups.
Adam Shuaib, GP at Episode 1, said the investment reflected confidence in the firm's approach. "British Business Bank's backing is a huge vote of confidence in what our team has built over the last decade; an early-stage fund combining proprietary algorithmic sourcing with a rigorous behavioural approach to founder selection to find incredible companies like Lawhive, Carwow, Mantic and Source.dev before others get there," he said.
Hector Mason, GP at Episode 1, said the commitment was an encouraging sign for the firm's strategy. "Securing backing from one of Europe's most respected institutional investors is a strong signal that the thesis we've been refining over the past decade is resonating at the highest levels," he said.