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For Octopus, investment is just the start

The Ventures team at Octopus finds and supports talented individuals and exceptional businesses. We're straight-talking, human investors who back people, rather than specific sectors. We look for opportunities that are capable of creating, transforming or dominating an industry.

All our deals are UK-focused and we invest from £250,000 to £5 million in each business we support, including funds from the Octopus Venture Partners. Previous investments include LoveFiLM, Zoopla, TouchType, graze and Calastone.

We know how difficult it is to grow a company, as we've been there and done it ourselves. Most of the Ventures team at Octopus have been together for more than a decade and together we have a total of almost 200 years of business and investment experience.

If instead you are seeking debt-based or specialist finance please visit our Specialist Finance page

Ventures blog

Catriona McLeodAnother Stern reminder of climate change imperatives
29 April 2013
by Catriona McLeod

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Markets update
26 April 2013
by Oliver Wallin

Mark  WilliamsInheritance Tax planning: if you like IHT, put a ring on it?
12 April 2013
by Mark Williams

Paul StevensWhy UK smaller companies have got a spring in their step
08 April 2013
by Paul Stevens

Mark  SoonayeMonkey business versus the science of portfolio construction
05 April 2013
by Mark Soonaye

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
28 March 2013
by Oliver Wallin

George WhiteheadOsborne’s Budget for the entrepreneur
26 March 2013
by George Whitehead

Mark  WilliamsPost-Budget thoughts – why the hunt for growth should help boost smaller companies
22 March 2013
by Mark Williams

Frederic  LardiegMobile World Congress: the US leads mobile - but don’t count Europe out
12 March 2013
by Frederic Lardieg

Hugh CostelloSomething old, something new...
11 March 2013
by Hugh Costello

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
01 March 2013
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
22 February 2013
by Oliver Wallin

Paul LathamA frozen NRB means IHT planning can’t be put off any longer
11 February 2013
by Paul Latham

George WhiteheadIncubator programmes have evolved to great launchpads for growing businesses
31 January 2013
by George Whitehead

Paul StevensThe smaller companies' fundraising market continues its resurgence
24 January 2013
by Paul Stevens

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
18 January 2013
by Oliver Wallin

Paul LathamOctopus VCT charging structure is a win-win for clients and advisers
17 January 2013
by Paul Latham

Alex MacphersonAngels vs. VCs – the curse of the Devil’s Spawn
14 January 2013
by Alex Macpherson

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
11 January 2013
by Oliver Wallin

Vicki HarrisThe dawn of a new era
31 December 2012
by Vicki Harris

Frederic  LardiegYPlan app earns a ringing endorsement from Stephen Fry
20 December 2012
by Frederic Lardieg

Duncan BullockWind of Change?
18 December 2012
by Duncan Bullock

Paul LathamAre there 50 shades of grey between tax evasion and tax avoidance?
17 December 2012
by Paul Latham

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
14 December 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
07 December 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Paul LathamAutumn Statement response
06 December 2012
by Paul Latham

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
30 November 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
23 November 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Simon ReynoldsVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
16 November 2012
by Simon Reynolds

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
09 November 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinCongratulations President Obama, but now the real work begins
07 November 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oli GreenspanEnhanced buybacks – a no-brainer for VCT investors?
07 November 2012
by Oli Greenspan

Oliver WallinOctopus speaks to Dukascopy TV on US, Eurozone and China
05 November 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
02 November 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Simon RogersonOctopus: Our top eight trends for the future
29 October 2012
by Simon Rogerson

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
26 October 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Mark  WilliamsEngaging clients with inheritance tax planning: challenges and solutions
26 October 2012
by Mark Williams

Paul LathamWhy Octopus is backing Write A Will Week
22 October 2012
by Paul Latham

Simon ReynoldsVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
19 October 2012
by Simon Reynolds

Paul StevensTechnology is turning the tide for small caps
19 October 2012
by Paul Stevens

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
12 October 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
05 October 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
28 September 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Simon ReynoldsVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
21 September 2012
by Simon Reynolds

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
14 September 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Paul LathamBusiness Property Relief: helping to relieve the burden of inheritance tax
10 September 2012
by Paul Latham

Simon ReynoldsVIDEO BLOG: Capital Market Update
07 September 2012
by Simon Reynolds

Paul LathamDrawing a line between the good, the bad and the ugly of UCIS
06 September 2012
by Paul Latham

Melanie HayesCan you buy an audience and returns for a media investment?
03 September 2012
by Melanie Hayes

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
31 August 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oli GreenspanThe merits of networking
30 August 2012
by Oli Greenspan

Simon ReynoldsVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
24 August 2012
by Simon Reynolds

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
17 August 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
10 August 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Matt  SetchellWhy investors should consider renewables as supercharged government bonds
09 August 2012
by Matt Setchell

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
03 August 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Mark  SoonayePicking the gold medallists: a new perspective on past performance
01 August 2012
by Mark Soonaye

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
27 July 2012
by Oliver Wallin

George WhiteheadWhy it's too early to bash the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme
25 July 2012
by George Whitehead

Joe  HartmanOur Sainsbury’s partnership can help put renewables on the corporate agenda
19 July 2012
by Joe Hartman

Hugh CostelloIt isn’t all bad news out there
19 July 2012
by Hugh Costello

Paul LathamRecord attendance at Octopus IHT workshops highlights the importance of innovation
18 July 2012
by Paul Latham

Simon ReynoldsVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
13 July 2012
by Simon Reynolds

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
06 July 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
29 June 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Paul LathamHMRC’s clampdown on tax avoidance is one that we welcome
25 June 2012
by Paul Latham

Simon ReynoldsVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
22 June 2012
by Simon Reynolds

Andrew BuchananGrowth of UK smaller companies sees AIM open for business
19 June 2012
by Andrew Buchanan

Melanie HayesA platform for success: investing in the video games sector
18 June 2012
by Melanie Hayes

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
08 June 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Nick Cann - guest bloggerAdvisers still have time to fill those gaps before RDR arrives
06 June 2012
by Nick Cann - guest blogger

Paul LathamCan the new Finance Bill proposals improve the outlook for UK plc?
01 June 2012
by Paul Latham

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
01 June 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Mark  SoonayeWhen determining portfolio risk, accurate sector classification is only the beginning
31 May 2012
by Mark Soonaye

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
25 May 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinMarkets struggle to come to terms with potential Greek Euro exit
18 May 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
18 May 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
11 May 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
04 May 2012
by Oliver Wallin

David CrawfordSell in May and go away?
03 May 2012
by David Crawford

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
27 April 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Oliver WallinVIDEO BLOG: Capital Markets Update
20 April 2012
by Oliver Wallin

Mark  SoonayeEating chocolate doesn’t make you fat, and other research myths
05 April 2012
by Mark Soonaye

Paul LathamThis was a Budget for business, not pleasure
21 March 2012
by Paul Latham

Paul LathamTime for a more innovative approach to Discounted Gift Trusts?
20 March 2012
by Paul Latham

Paul LathamThe last chance to invest tax-efficiently into solar
27 February 2012
by Paul Latham

Mark  SoonayeWhat really matters for investors, cost or value?
20 February 2012
by Mark Soonaye

Mark  SoonayeComparing fund charges to low-cost airline fees misses the point
12 February 2012
by Mark Soonaye

Colin LunnonMaking better use of 'alternatives'
23 January 2012
by Colin Lunnon

Paul LathamHigh court ruling finds in favour of the solar industry
22 December 2011
by Paul Latham

Oliver WallinWhat are the ramifications of the new ‘two-speed’ Europe?
14 December 2011
by Oliver Wallin

Paul LathamSolar investment continues, via Octopus VCT 3&4
13 December 2011
by Paul Latham

Paul LathamSolar investments – the opportunity isn’t lost quite yet
02 November 2011
by Paul Latham

Colin LunnonActive or Passive? Why choosing sides doesn't make sense
01 November 2011
by Colin Lunnon

Guy MylesRisk profiling – a vital tool to help identify client risk
23 September 2011
by Guy Myles

Oliver WallinAre we expecting a repeat of the 2008 global financial crisis?
10 August 2011
by Oliver Wallin

Paul LathamOctopus now the largest UK investor in solar energy
28 July 2011
by Paul Latham

Paul LathamBBC's 'Look East' spotlights our solar sites
20 July 2011
by Paul Latham

Paul LathamFrom tin mining to megawatts: the UK’s largest solar farm is now connected
11 July 2011
by Paul Latham

Andrew BuchananUK smaller companies in 2011
08 July 2011
by Andrew Buchanan

Oliver WallinGreece – seen from an investor perspective
01 July 2011
by Oliver Wallin

Paul LathamOur first installation shows the future is bright for solar
28 June 2011
by Paul Latham

Lothar MentelAre ETFs the next ‘financial weapons of mass destruction’?
24 June 2011
by Lothar Mentel

Paul LathamGovernment places faith in small scale solar, while cutting large scale feed-in-tariffs
13 June 2011
by Paul Latham

Lothar MentelIMA sector rebranding fails to address the real concerns about risk
06 June 2011
by Lothar Mentel

David CrawfordEquity markets: time for a reality check?
31 May 2011
by David Crawford

Oliver WallinCost-effective investing: the art of getting what you pay for
19 May 2011
by Oliver Wallin

Alex MacphersonPromoting enterprise in the UK
10 May 2011
by Alex Macpherson

Guy MylesAs one tax year ends, another one begins...
08 April 2011
by Guy Myles

Simon RogersonBudget response
23 March 2011
by Simon Rogerson

Paul LathamA ray of sunshine for VCT and EIS investors
18 March 2011
by Paul Latham

Lothar MentelEarthquake in Japan: markets update
15 March 2011
by Lothar Mentel

Paul LathamTax simplification and tax solutions
04 March 2011
by Paul Latham

Paul LathamSolar energy and Octopus solutions
17 February 2011
by Paul Latham

Simon RogersonConsolidation should be the key trend this ISA season
03 February 2011
by Simon Rogerson

Lothar MentelMarkets update
17 January 2011
by Lothar Mentel

David CrawfordThe folly of forecasting
14 January 2011
by David Crawford

Lothar MentelPutting the sentiment shift into perspective
10 January 2011
by Lothar Mentel

Colin LunnonDriving returns
05 January 2011
by Colin Lunnon

Lothar MentelHopes and concerns for 2011
31 December 2010
by Lothar Mentel

Simon RogersonOctopus end of year round up
24 December 2010
by Simon Rogerson

Colin LunnonNot as alternative as you think
22 December 2010
by Colin Lunnon

Andrew BuchananUK smaller companies in 2011
20 December 2010
by Andrew Buchanan

Colin LunnonLooking for a better basket
14 December 2010
by Colin Lunnon

Alex MacphersonBusiness angel funding
10 December 2010
by Alex Macpherson

Lothar MentelLooking at the markets long and short term
07 December 2010
by Lothar Mentel

Colin LunnonRisk profiling for a common language and a better service
03 December 2010
by Colin Lunnon

Simon RogersonOctopus multi manager funds
29 November 2010
by Simon Rogerson

Guy MylesThe importance of outsourced investment solutions
23 November 2010
by Guy Myles

Lothar MentelInfluences on market progress
05 November 2010
by Lothar Mentel

Colin LunnonUsing hedge funds within an absolute return multi manager portfolio
02 November 2010
by Colin Lunnon

Christopher AllnerMind the gap in funding for UK SMEs
29 October 2010
by Christopher Allner

Simon RogersonTen years for Octopus
22 October 2010
by Simon Rogerson

Alex MacphersonOctopus and seed funding
18 October 2010
by Alex Macpherson

Lothar MentelMulti manager - managing choices
07 October 2010
by Lothar Mentel

David CrawfordAbsolute return team and strategies
01 October 2010
by David Crawford

The Organisational Development TeamOctopus is recruiting
24 September 2010
by The Organisational Development Team

Guy MylesThe potential in the UK smaller companies market
09 September 2010
by Guy Myles

Lothar MentelFrom Goldilocks to Noah: ancient tales apply in tough economic times
07 September 2010
by Lothar Mentel

Thierry  SereroMaking the most of special situations
03 September 2010
by Thierry Serero

Guy MylesHow discretionary managers can help advisers best serve investors
20 August 2010
by Guy Myles

Colin LunnonDiversification within asset classes
09 August 2010
by Colin Lunnon

Lothar MentelSignposts to recovery
06 August 2010
by Lothar Mentel

Christopher AllnerThe importance of government intervention to smaller companies
22 July 2010
by Christopher Allner

Lothar MentelMarket views on news
13 July 2010
by Lothar Mentel

David CrawfordIs this the double dip?
09 July 2010
by David Crawford

Guy MylesPositive aspects of the Retail Distribution Review
30 June 2010
by Guy Myles

Thierry  SereroInvesting in volatile markets
24 June 2010
by Thierry Serero

Guy MylesGetting more from less through innovation
11 June 2010
by Guy Myles

Lothar MentelFear in the markets
04 June 2010
by Lothar Mentel

David CrawfordEfficient markets? No way!
03 June 2010
by David Crawford

Simon RogersonA new Government and tax is very much on the agenda
28 May 2010
by Simon Rogerson

Lothar MentelLost in translation: the German short selling ban
20 May 2010
by Lothar Mentel

David CrawfordOne year over and another one begins...
07 May 2010
by David Crawford

Lothar MentelA view on Greece
06 May 2010
by Lothar Mentel

Thierry  SereroEuropean absolute return funds
28 April 2010
by Thierry Serero

David CrawfordGetting technical on equities
19 April 2010
by David Crawford

Richard PowerThe progress of smaller companies
16 April 2010
by Richard Power

Lothar MentelWhat is the prognosis after the first quarter of 2010?
09 April 2010
by Lothar Mentel

Simon RogersonBudget 2010 - Octopus view
25 March 2010
by Simon Rogerson

Richard PowerThe value in smaller companies
11 March 2010
by Richard Power

Lothar MentelWhat is bothering the markets?
10 March 2010
by Lothar Mentel

David CrawfordReading the tea leaves...
10 March 2010
by David Crawford

Andrew BuchananDo failed flotations show that the stock market is shut or displaying great value?
03 March 2010
by Andrew Buchanan

Karl JentoftVCTs - a long-term investment solution
19 February 2010
by Karl Jentoft

David CrawfordIs this the double dip?
05 February 2010
by David Crawford

Veronica SomervailleAre you an Octopod?
29 January 2010
by Veronica Somervaille

Karl JentoftThe Retail Distribution Review
22 January 2010
by Karl Jentoft

David Crawford2010 – A smoother ride ahead?
13 January 2010
by David Crawford

Lothar MentelMulti Manager 2010 outlook
04 January 2010
by Lothar Mentel

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