Leading VCs and portfolio companies reveal how to secure investment with London food and drink startups
Leading venture capital firms and the well-known brands they back shared the secrets of how to secure investment with over 40 food and drink businesses from across London.
Venture capital (VC) firms Beringea, BoxFund, Jensen Funding and Future Planet Capital told local food and drink businesses what they look for when allocating investments at an event hosted by Walthamstow MP, Stella Creasy, and the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA). The event focused on the theme of growing small companies and explored the ways in which VC investment supports businesses.
In 2023, VC-backed businesses generated £20bn of GDP for the UK economy. Recent BVCA research shows that London continues to lead the UK’s venture capital landscape, being home to approximately 80% of VC firms in the UK. VC backed firms employed 315,000 people across the UK’s nations and regions with two thirds of that population (209,000 people) being employed in London alone.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Mayor for Business, Howard Dawber, highlighted that London has grown more unicorn startups in the last five years than the whole of France and Germany put together.
Well-known VC-backed businesses Lucky Saint, the UK’s leading non-alcoholic beer; DASH water, the UK’s top selling seltzer and sports nutrition brand; Tribe, shared their experience about how venture capital funding helped them to scale their operations.
VC backed firms all attributed the industry’s active ownership model to their success. Private capital invests in companies for the long-term, meaning investors provide hands-on, proactive and advisory support to businesses in their portfolio to help navigate the market and achieve financial success. Companies in attendance learnt about the venture capital market and how businesses access expertise through investors.
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business said:
“It was fantastic to meet the founders of some exceptional food and drink businesses recently.
“London is home to a wide array of leading industries. The event demonstrated just how important the food and beverages sector are in supporting our local economy. It was great to see founders make connections with the investment community - something we need to encourage to increase the number of businesses which successfully scale-up.
“I’d like to thank the BVCA and members for coming and explaining how venture capital can work to help businesses grow.”
Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow said:
“Supporting the fantastic food and drink producers in Walthamstow to grow is a key priority for me as the local MP.
“I was delighted to work with the BVCA in breaking down the myths about venture capital investment and to have some of London's top founders come to visit us to help inspire local businesses.
“We look forward to developing this work in 2025 and welcome all visitors who want to be part of this initiative.”
Michael Moore, BVCA Chief Executive said:
“UK venture capital is something to be proud of. It plays a pivotal role in helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses and supports over 200,000 jobs across London.”
“The BVCA was delighted to bring some of the UK’s leading VCs to meet ambitious food and drink entrepreneurs. It’s vital that businesses seeking to scale have the opportunity to learn what it takes to attract investment.”
BVCA Event hosted by Walthamstow MP, Stella Creasy
BVCA Event hosted by Walthamstow MP, Stella Creasy
BVCA Event hosted by Walthamstow MP, Stella Creasy
Media contacts
James Gribben, BVCA: [email protected]
Notes to editors
About the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association
The BVCA, as the representative body for private equity and venture capital, connects institutional investors, fund managers, companies, advisers and service providers together, with our membership currently comprising more than 600 businesses from across the private capital ecosystem. This includes more than 250 PE and VC firms, 100 institutional investors and 200 professional services firms.
Private capital drives growth – providing the funding, expertise and long-term view that enables companies to innovate and flourish. Our mission is to advocate the transformative nature of the private equity and venture capital community.
