Background
RisingStars Growth Fund was formed in March 2002 and was the third most active VC investor in the UK in 2004. It invests solely in seed and early stage companies that have the potential to grow quickly into international businesses. The fund is managed by Enterprise Ventures who are a growing independent Fund manager based in the North of England.
Our investment size depends on the stage of the company and the total amount raised, but we generally lead the first investment round. Our earliest stage investments have started out as concept funding, were we have invested £50k to put together a plan, recruit a team or establish the IP position of an idea.
The RisingStars team seeks to finance and build ambitious management teams who want to turn innovations into world-class products that attract customers from all over the world. Our investment focus is continually evolving; however, we invest in a range of technologies focusing on the software, medtech, materials, environmental and energy sectors. We have not invested in sectors requiring large amounts of investment, such as drug development or capital projects. We do not fund competitors of our existing portfolio companies.
Geographically, our investments are required to have their head office based in the North West of England. Several of our investments have moved into the area and are based on IP from countries outside the UK.
Our focus on early stage investing requires us to provide more than money. A start-up venture capitalist becomes a company's financial strategist, headhunter, investment banker, and corporate therapist, who provides support and confidence to a build a fledgling business.