ET Capital Launches £2 Million Fund to Invest in Cambridge Startups
ET Capital has launched a new investment fund with an initial target of £2 million, aiming to make investing in Cambridge’s science and technology startups more accessible. The fund, known as the Cambridge Venture Index (CVI) SEIS/EIS Fund, seeks to democratize investment opportunities, particularly for individual investors.
The fund will adopt an index-style approach, backing a diverse range of early-stage businesses within the Cambridge cluster to enhance risk management and maximize returns. This strategy is designed to offer investors benefits from the attractive Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) tax relief schemes.
“We want to offer participation in the Cambridge cluster to the widest possible range of people; to democratise investment to coin a phrase,” said Martin Rigby, a director at ET Capital. “By using a diversified, ‘index’ approach to investment, we can reduce risk and generate good returns for individual investors who might otherwise be unable or unwilling to invest in the cluster.”
The firm’s leadership, comprised of James Griffiths, David Gill, and Martin Rigby, leverages over three decades of experience working with early-stage investors and startups. Their research, analyzing nearly 200 companies in the Cambridge cluster over the past 30 years, supports the effectiveness of their approach, which seeks to achieve superior returns compared to traditional venture capital strategies.
The fund’s focus is on science and technology-driven startups within the Cambridge cluster, spanning various sectors and technologies to provide broad exposure to innovation. ET Capital plans a series of funds, starting with CVI S/EIS 1. This initial fund, launching in April 2025, will invest in approximately 10-15 startups through March 2026.
James Griffiths explained the fund’s focus: “Our first fund, Cambridge Venture Index SEIS/EIS Fund 1, will invest in 10-15 startups from April 2025 to March 2026. This fund is geared toward individual investors looking to support and benefit from Cambridge’s long-term success. We recognise that many of those people will themselves have contributed directly to the cluster’s growth which is why we see the fund helping to democratise investment in Cambridge’s future success.”
The team also sees the fund as crucial for ensuring reliable seed capital for startups, collaborating with incubators and commercialization offices to foster long-term partnerships.
ET Capital is also planning future funds tailored to meet the requirements of institutional investors, family offices, and other individual investors, all following the diversified index strategy.
For additional details about the Cambridge Venture Index Funds and associated investment prospects, please contact Martin Rigby or James Griffiths at ET Capital: info@etcapital.com.
