Seed biotech investors in the UK
Seed-stage companies are raising their first priced rounds. These are usually SEIS and EIS rounds from angels, syndicates, crowdfunding platforms and seed funds. Life sciences companies tend to raise fewer but larger rounds, often backed by university venture arms, specialist funds and Innovate UK grants. Many show a long gap between first funding and later rounds. 243 investor-backed seed life sciences and biotech companies are in Pulse, and 48 raised a first funding round in the last year.
- Investor-backed companies
- 243
- Active investors, 2 years
- 849
- Rounds, 2 years
- 231
- Median round
- £170k
Who is investing
In the last two years 168 funds, firms and family offices and 678 angels took shares in seed life sciences and biotech companies, with the latest round in Oct 2026. These are the firms backing the most of these companies:
| Firm | Type | Companies |
|---|---|---|
| SFC Capital | Fund or investment firm | 25 companies |
| SFC BBI | Fund or investment firm | 14 companies |
| Imperial College Innovations Limited | University | 8 companies |
| Deep Science Ventures Limited | Fund or investment firm | 7 companies |
| The University of Sheffield | University | 6 companies |
| Zinc 2 LP | Fund or investment firm | 6 companies |
| MNL Parkwalk | Fund or investment firm | 5 companies |
| The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge | University | 5 companies |
See all 849 active investors, including angels, with what they've backed, estimated cheque sizes and who they invest alongside.
Rounds and valuations
Over the last two years, 231 funding rounds were raised by seed life sciences and biotech companies, an estimated £65.7m, with a median round of about £170k. 48 of the companies raised their first priced round in the last 12 months. 36% of these valuations carry a High confidence rating.
How Life sciences and biotech compares
Life sciences and biotech companies make up 0% of the 74,284 investor-backed companies in Pulse. The median round of £170k is close to the £176k median for the whole UK market. The most active firm in these companies is SFC Capital, in 25 companies.
Questions
How many investors back seed life sciences and biotech companies?
Pulse found 849 outside investors taking shares in seed life sciences and biotech companies in the last two years: 168 funds, firms and family offices, and 678 angels.
How much do seed life sciences and biotech companies raise?
Over the last two years 231 rounds were raised, an estimated £65.7m in total. The median round was about £170k.
How accurate are the amounts?
They are Pulse estimates, each with a confidence rating. 36% of recent valuations here carry a High confidence rating; the rest are marked Medium or Low.
Can I see every investor?
Pulse subscribers see every outside investor by name, with portfolios and co-investors, from £39.99 a month plus VAT (£47.99 inc. VAT). Contact details are not included and names are not linked to personal profiles.