Twenty venture capital firms have teamed up to attract UK pension investments in unlisted equities.
The firms, with a combined £25bn in assets under management, have signed up to a pledge aimed at forging closer ties with UK pension investors.
This initiative is part of the UK government’s Mansion House initiative, and has been organised by the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA).
The Venture Capital Investment Compact is led by the BVCA and supported by UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Its aim is to attract more UK pension schemes to invest in private markets.
The compact has been signed by top firms including Octopus, Balderton, and Lakestar, and is backed by the Treasury.
The BVCA wants to enlist about 20 funds in the compact, which is expected to boost investment in defined contribution pension schemes.
This move is expected to provide a significant boost to the UK’s venture capital industry, which has seen a surge in interest from institutional investors in recent years.
The initiative is also expected to help UK pension funds diversify their portfolios and generate higher returns.
The Venture Capital Investment Compact is a welcome development for the UK’s business and investment community, as it is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the country’s economy.
Photo by Hannah Busing
The Collaboration of UK Venture Capital Firms
A group of 20 UK venture capital firms with a combined £25bn in assets under management have joined forces to encourage UK pension investments in unlisted equities.
The collaboration aims to forge closer ties with UK pension investors and unlock investment in fast-growing British companies. The initiative, called the Venture Capital Investment Compact, has received the backing of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and is part of the government’s Mansion House initiative.
The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA) has organized the initiative and wants to enlist more funds to join the compact.
The BVCA is the industry body and public policy advocate for the private equity and venture capital industry in the UK.
The compact aims to build on the proposals unveiled by Hunt during his Mansion House speech in June 2023, which aimed to strengthen the UK’s position as a global financial centre.
The participating venture capital firms include Northern Gritstone, IQ Capital, and Octopus Ventures, among others. Northern Gritstone is a venture capital firm focused on investing in high-growth technology companies in the North of England.
IQ Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in deep tech startups in the UK. Octopus Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies in the UK and Europe.
The Venture Capital Investment Compact is a voluntary commitment by the participating firms to work together to encourage UK pension funds to invest in unlisted equities. The compact aims to increase the amount of capital available to fast-growing British companies, which are often unable to access funding from traditional sources.
The initiative is a significant step towards boosting investment in the UK’s fast-growing technology sector.
The collaboration of UK venture capital firms is a positive development that will help to support the growth of innovative British companies and create new jobs.
Implications for UK Pensions
The recent pledge by 20 venture capital firms to boost UK pension investments in unlisted equities could have significant implications for UK pensions. This section explores the potential risks and opportunities for UK pension investors and funds, as well as the regulatory changes that may arise from this pledge.
Potential Risks and Opportunities
On the one hand, this pledge could offer UK pension funds access to a wider range of investment opportunities and potentially higher returns.
Investments in unlisted equities, particularly in fast-growing British companies, may offer attractive returns for pension funds seeking to diversify their portfolios.
However, these investments may also carry higher risks, as unlisted companies may be more vulnerable to market fluctuations and may lack the transparency and oversight of listed companies.
Furthermore, investing in venture capital funds may require a longer-term investment horizon, which may not be suitable for all pension funds.
Pension funds may also face challenges in valuing these investments, as they may not have access to the same level of information and analysis as the venture capital firms themselves.
Regulatory Changes and Impact
This pledge may also lead to regulatory changes for UK pension funds. The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) has called for the creation of a “Venture Capital Compact” to encourage greater investment in unlisted equities.
This could lead to changes in the regulatory framework for pension funds, potentially making it easier for them to invest in venture capital funds and unlisted equities.
However, any regulatory changes would need to balance the potential benefits of increased investment in unlisted equities with the need to protect pension fund members’ interests.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has already warned that investing in unlisted assets may not be suitable for all investors, and that pension funds should ensure that they have the necessary expertise and resources to make informed investment decisions.
Overall, the pledge by venture capital firms to boost UK pension investments in unlisted equities has the potential to offer attractive investment opportunities for UK pension funds.
However, pension funds will need to carefully consider the risks and opportunities of investing in unlisted equities, and any regulatory changes will need to be carefully balanced to ensure that pension fund members’ interests are protected.
Broader Impact on the Business and Investment Landscape
The move by 20 leading UK venture capital firms to join forces in a bid to attract UK pensions is expected to have a significant impact on the business and investment landscape.
The firms, managing more than £45bn, have pledged to increase investment in high-growth companies, particularly those in the fintech and healthtech sectors, which are expected to be the main beneficiaries of the initiative.
The move is expected to boost the profile of the UK as a destination for investment and encourage more businesses to seek funding from venture capital firms.
It is also expected to increase competition among venture capital firms, leading to better investment terms for businesses seeking funding.
The initiative is part of a broader trend towards growth equity investments, which are becoming increasingly popular among investors seeking higher returns than traditional private equity investments.
Growth equity investments are typically made in companies that are already generating revenue, but which require additional capital to fund growth.
The move is also expected to have a positive impact on the ESG (environmental, social, and governance) landscape, as venture capital firms are increasingly focused on investing in companies that have strong ESG credentials.
This is particularly true in the fintech and healthtech sectors, where companies are often focused on improving access to healthcare and financial services for underserved populations.
Finally, the move is expected to have an impact on the SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) market, which has been booming in recent years.
Venture capital firms are increasingly using SPACs as a way to take companies public, and the increased investment in high-growth companies is likely to lead to more SPACs being launched in the coming years.
