Talent Funds

Talent Funds aim to nurture the next generation of venture capital talent across the UK by widening access to investment opportunities for high‑potential individuals who may lack the networks and connections often needed to enter venture capital.

Who is this page for

This page is for experienced fund managers who want to propose and raise a Talent Fund. It is not for startups seeking funding, individuals looking to join a talent cohort, or first-time fund managers looking to raise a microfund.

What are Talent Funds?

Talent Funds are specialist, early-stage venture capital vehicles led by experienced fund managers. They are designed to identify, support, and back high‑potential individuals from underrepresented or non‑traditional backgrounds, helping them to build credible investment track records and accelerate their entry into the venture capital ecosystem.

This is a novel approach in the UK venture capital market. Rather than prescribing a single model, we are seeking proposals from experienced market participants with strong links to relevant talent networks and inviting them to outline how they will build and run a Talent Fund.

Fund Structure (at a glance):

• Total fund size: ~£30m - ~£70m
• British Business Bank cornerstone: up to 50% of the fund
• Remaining capital: raised from other Limited Partners.
• Structure: English Limited Partnership (GP/LP)
• Domicile: United Kingdom

Objectives

Talent Funds aim to:

• Broaden participation and progression in the UK venture capital market by expanding access to investment capital for high-potential talent from non-traditional backgrounds.
• Develop future institutional grade fund managers by providing hands-on experience and wrap-around support.
• Deliver strong commercial outcomes alongside clear market additionality.

How Talent Funds Work

Talent Fund Managers select cohorts of individuals with investment potential. Those cohort members act as investors, sourcing, executing, and managing investments under the oversight and guidance of the Talent Fund Manager.

Alongside capital deployment, cohort members receive structured training and ongoing support to build professional skills and expand networks.

Robust governance, risk management, and oversight frameworks are embedded throughout to ensure funds operate in line with institutional standards.

Is this right for you?

Right for you if

• you are an experienced fund manager proposing a vehicle to identify and develop new investors

Not right if

• you are a startup seeking finance. (our Finance Finder tool will help you to discover different types of finance).
• you are an individual looking to join a Talent Fund cohort
• you are a first-time fund manager looking to raise a microfund
• you are raising a fund focused on infrastructure, property, debt finance, MBO/MBIs, Leveraged Fund Investments.