UK Innovation Science and Seed Fund
5 Bolton Street, London, W1J 8BA, United Kingdom
Overview
The UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund is backed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Fund’s partners are 9 publicly funded research bodies, including STFC, BBSRC, NERC and Dstl. The Fund is independently managed by venture capital specialist Midven. They help build companies from great science developed in laboratories, science and technology campuses and synthetic biology. They hold investments in some of the UK’s most innovative companies, in areas as diverse as novel antibiotics, research into Alzheimer’s disease, “green” chemicals and airport security.
- Total investments
- 2
- Lead investments
- 2
- Investments · 12mo
- 1
- Active investors
- 0
Sector focus
- Biotechnology
- Financial Services
- Venture Capital
Investment portfolio
- Optera
Led · Equity · Jun 2026
Optera develops neuromorphic, event-based sensing technology that detects changes in a scene rather than capturing full images continuously, enabling tracking of fast-moving objects while reducing data and power requirements. Its AI-powered systems are designed for space domain awareness and operate in challenging lighting conditions; the company has accumulated multiple years of on-orbit, space-tested experience. Following the £3 million raise, Optera plans to establish a UK headquarters, expand its engineering team, and scale delivery of civil, commercial and defence-related sensing programmes. It is also focused on advancing onboard processing capabilities so intelligence can be generated closer to the sensor. The articles do not provide revenue, user, or valuation metrics.
- Adamo Foods
Led · Seed · Aug 2024
Adamo Foods develops whole-cut mycelium-based meat alternatives using a triple-patented submerged fungal fermentation process to create long, densely grouped mycelium fibres that mimic muscle structure. Its flagship product is a five-ingredient mycelium steak that the company says contains all essential amino acids and achieves a protein digestibility score of 0.99. The startup highlights rapid production (mycelium doubles every ~4 hours), lower land use and substantially reduced emissions—claiming its product is 93% lower in carbon emissions than beef—and aims for price parity at launch. Adamo is scaling from in-house pilot production to a demo plant (>5,000 litres) and targets 50,000 litres within three years, while engaging partners for commercial manufacturing. Founded in 2021, the company has raised about €5M from investors and participated in EIT Food’s RisingFoodStars programme, and plans an initial commercial rollout in UK foodservice.
Team
No current team members are available.