Entrepreneurs who have built, scaled and sold businesses
Formed as the investment arm of three real estate businesses
LiFE Ventures was formed in 2015, investing balance sheet capital into early stage technology businesses. By 2020 LiFE Ventures had spun out, adding a diverse pool of HNW private capital.
Established Operators
Led by partners who have collectively exited multiple businesses, the team have established itself within the early-stage technology ecosystem.
Our investment principles
People
We look to back high-quality entrepreneurs with a track record of leadership and performance in the company’s specific industry or in prior entrepreneurial ventures. We also look at the team's passion, commitment, and ability to execute the outlined strategy.
Market opportunity
There are plenty of great business ideas - but not all businesses will generate returns that justify funding. We favour solutions that address problems for large target markets (i.e. market size of £100m+). The company must demonstrate a strategy to claim significant market share or revenue.
Proposition
We look at whether the business is solving a real pain point rather than creating a solution to a non-existent one. Ultimately, what benefit does the company provide and how does it do it uniquely well?
Competitive advantage
We invest in companies that have attributes that convey competitive advantages that include intellectual property protection, key know-how, and scarce human resources (i.e. knowledge and skills). How defensible is the moat around the business and do these barriers to entry protect the business from competition within specific markets, geographies or over certain time-periods.
Financials
Is there a well conceived strategy around the businesses’ ability to achieve the key performance indicators (KPIs) / metrics that support growth. Will these KPIs/metrics support significant financing to enable the business to scale domestic and internationally? Are the financial projections based on sound assumptions? What are the hurdles, if any, and are they significant?
Strategic fit
LiFE Ventures has experience investing across a range of sectors. Our expertise covers Property, Construction, Built Environment, Financial Services, Electronics and Telecoms. We are well placed to provide strategic and operational value-add, business mentorship and access to a well-established global professional network across these sectors. We do not invest in Bio-Tech, HealthTech or DeepTech.
Other
Other important investment principles include: product, technology, exit strategy, risk factors, growth potential and use of proceeds.
How we help our companies
Business Mentoring
Active and regular board level engagement with management and executive teams.
Smart Capital
We leverage industry expertise alongside strategic and operational value-add to supercharge growth.
Network of Industry Experts
Strategic network of operators, investors, corporates and institutions within real estate, the built environment and the wider early-stage technology ecosystem in the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
Consultancy Division
Strategic consultancy, fundraising and advisory support to start-ups, scale-ups and corporates.
TeqDen
Companies gain access to our marketing, events and podcast division.
One West Point Incubator
Co-working space at our new incubator at One West Point.
What our partners say about us
Florian Hoven
Offering 5,000➕ locations to securely store & exchange keys 🔑
“Having Life Ventures invest in KeyNest in our second funding round was a game changer. I couldn't be more grateful for their support and guidance during the early stages. They really went above and beyond, giving us valuable insights and connections that helped us with our product development and to grow our business”
Simon Rabin
Building 🛠️ and operating 3 tech startups in the last 10 years 💻
"LiFE Ventures have been an important partner in the development of Chip becoming one of London’s fastest growing and well-funded FinTechs. They were one of our first investors and have supported us at every stage, right from the beginning through to over 500,000 users"
Roei Samuel
BBC Million by 30 💡 Angel Investor 🤝 Forbes Business Council
“Having an early-stage investor like LiFE Ventures who is fully invested in the success of our business and actively contributes to its growth is invaluable.”