Britain’s Hot Talent 2014/15 A handbook of UK venture capital innovation Editors Chris Etheridge Rory McDougall Managing Editor Tom Allchorne For additional information Tom Allchorne Email
[email protected] 22 BVCA e:
[email protected] w: bvca.co.uk Contents Introduction Foreword 4 Five facts about venture capital in the UK 5 Definitions of industry sectors 6 Company Profiles Chapter 1 Cleantech 7 Chapter 2 Digital & Consumer 17 Chapter 3 Finance & Business Support 47 Chapter 4 Information Technology 69 Chapter 5 Life Sciences 91 Chapter 6 Materials 105 Chapter 7 Media 113 Chapter 8 Medical 123 Chapter 9 Telecoms 145 Index Index by company name 158 Index by investor 163 Index by parliamentary constituency 180 e:
[email protected] w: bvca.co.uk BVCA 3 Foreword Welcome to Britain’s Hot Talent 2014/15, the third edition of the BVCA handbook, showcasing a selection of this country’s most dynamic and cutting-edge young companies. Britain has a long and proud history of entrepreneurship and the businesses featured here present a snapshot of some of the exciting and creative work being carried out right now. This edition has profiles of over 100 venture-capital-backed companies from ten distinct sectors of the British economy, all fantastic examples of what can be achieved with ingenuity, hard work and the right support. Venture capital has long been a backer of innovative businesses, and such skills and investment are needed now more than ever before. As the UK recovers from the worst economic recession in over 50 years, it is vital that entrepreneurship is encouraged in all its forms and across all industries, from life sciences to finance, from digital media to online security.