Your Guide to SEIS Funding in 2025: Top Active Funds for UK Start-ups
One of the most exciting parts of our job at Zyla is helping ambitious start-ups secure the funding they need to grow.
A question we get asked all the time is about the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, or SEIS.
For many new businesses, it's a game-changer. Originally launched in 2012 and expanded in 2022, it remains one of the most attractive funding routes for early-stage companies, with around 2,000 start-ups successfully using it each year.
We've put together this guide to explain how it works and, crucially, a list of active funds you can approach.
What Exactly Are SEIS Funds?
Think of an SEIS fund as a pot of money, collected from various individuals and family offices, that is specifically used to invest in new, high-potential businesses like yours. The government created the scheme to encourage investment in the UK's most innovative companies by offering investors some very generous tax breaks.
This is a huge plus for you when you're pitching. Investors can benefit from:
Up to 50% income tax relief on their investment.
Capital Gains Tax exemptions if your business succeeds.
Loss relief if things don't go to plan.
Inheritance tax advantages.
SEIS funds play a key role by creating diversified portfolios of qualifying start-ups, offering a more managed and risk-spread approach for investors. (We have a separate article covering exactly why SEIS/EIS is so valuable to your investors).
Does Your Business Qualify? The SEIS Investor Checklist ✅
You can raise up to £250,000 through SEIS if your company meets the eligibility criteria. Before you start approaching funds, run through this quick checklist:
Trading History: You must have been trading for less than three years. Good news: businesses that haven't started trading yet are also eligible!
UK Presence: Your business must have a permanent establishment in the UK.
Not Publicly Listed: Your company must not be traded on a stock exchange or have active plans to become so.
Independence: If your company has subsidiaries, they must also qualify. Crucially, your company must never have been controlled by another business.
Asset Limit: Your company's gross assets must be below £350,000 at the time the shares are issued.
Team Size: You must have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees.
No Prior EIS/VCT Funding: If you've previously raised money through the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) or a Venture Capital Trust (VCT), your business won't qualify for SEIS.
Qualifying Trade: Certain trades are excluded, such as legal or accountancy services, construction, and property development. You can see the full list of excluded trades on the HMRC website.
For most new UK start-ups, especially those looking to raise between £50,000 and £250,000, SEIS is a fantastic option. Many successful SEIS-funded companies are even pre-revenue.
Active SEIS Funds in 2025
To make your search a little easier, we’ve curated a list of SEIS funds that are currently active.
Ascension Ventures - Funds companies in healthcare services, technology, and medtech. Typically invests from £75k to £700k. Apply here
BoxFund - Invests in businesses focused on social good and a healthy planet. Investment ranges from £100k to £2M. Apply here
Britbots - Funds UK-based automation, AI, and robotics businesses. Invests from £85k to £1.5M. Apply here
British Design Fund - Invests in purpose-led UK product design and manufacturing companies. Typically invests £150k to £200k. Apply here
Charlotte Street Capital - Invests in software start-ups with demonstrated customer pull, investing up to £300k. Apply here
Deepbridge Capital - Invests in technology, life sciences, and renewable energy sectors. Invests from £100k to £1.2M. Apply here
EHE Venture Studio - Backs AI-first UK start-ups in fintech, healthtech, and automation. Invests between £100k and £1.5M. Apply here
Fuel Ventures - Primarily backs tech companies from Pre-seed to Series A. Invests from £150k to £4M. Apply here
Haatch Ventures - Invests in digital or technology-enabled companies, from £300k to £800k. Apply here
Jenson Funding Partners - Backs tech-enabled start-ups, typically investing up to £250k at the SEIS stage. Apply here
Mint Ventures - Backs businesses with a social, ethical, or environmental purpose. Invests from £50k up to £200k. Apply here
Nova Growth Capital - Backs UK-based tech start-ups emerging from its venture-builder model. Invests from £100k up to £250k+. Apply here
O2h Ventures - Primarily backs UK-based biotech and life-science start-ups. Typically invests from £100k up to £1.5M. Apply here
Oxford Capital Partners - Focuses on software opportunities in fintech, digital health, and AI. Initial checks range from £150k up to £1M. Apply here
Oxford Technology - Backs science and tech-enabled start-ups, particularly near Oxford. Invests up to £150k at the SEIS stage. Apply here
QVentures - Backs growth-stage tech companies, including a dedicated pre-seed SEIS fund. Invests from £200k to £5M+. Apply here
Startup Funding Club Capital - Invests in companies less than two years old, with cheques averaging around £500k–£600k. Apply here
Sustainable Ventures - Backs early-stage climate-tech start-ups, typically investing up to £150k at the SEIS stage. Apply here
Symvan Capital - Invests in early-stage B2B technology start-ups. Typically invests £250k–£500k initially. Apply here
SyndicateRoom - Invests in a diversified portfolio of 50+ EIS-eligible start-ups, co-investing with top angel investors. Apply here
TrueSight Ventures - Invests in founders solving important problems with technology, from £100k to £500k. Apply here
Vala Capital - Invests in early-stage British start-ups with high-growth potential. Typically raising between £1M and £5M. Apply here
Velocity Technology (Juice Capital) - Mainly invests in technology companies like e-commerce and digital marketing. Typically invests from £250k–£500k. Apply here
Worth Capital - Backs early-stage UK start-ups, often sourced via competitions. Initial investments usually range from £100k to £250k. Apply here
How We Can Help You
Navigating the world of SEIS can feel daunting, but the rewards are well worth it. Securing 'Advanced Assurance' from HMRC before you even speak to investors shows you're a credible and highly attractive opportunity.
This is where we come in. At Zyla Accountants, we specialise in helping start-ups with their SEIS applications and compliance, making the process smooth and stress-free.
If you're considering raising investment and think SEIS could be right for you, please get in touch. Book a free, one-hour consultation with Suzy Kerton CA, and let's discuss how Zyla can help your business achieve its goals.