Bethnal Green Ventures is an early-stage tech for good VC. They back ambitious founders using technology to tackle big social and environmental problems.
Initial investment of £60,000 for 7% equity
From pre-seed to Series A
Bethnal Green Ventures is Europe's leading early-stage tech for good VC, investing in ambitious founders using technology to tackle significant social and environmental challenges. As specialists in pre-seed and seed stage ventures, BGV focuses on technologies with the potential to improve millions of lives while delivering commercial returns. The team is passionate about supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs who are building scalable solutions to real-world problems, from climate change to healthcare and education. With over a decade of experience pioneering the tech for good movement and as the first UK VC to achieve B Corp certification, BGV combines rigorous investment practices with a commitment to creating meaningful positive impact.
Mission
Bethnal Green Ventures’ mission is to invest in and support startups using technology to address significant social and environmental challenges, while upholding high standards of accountability and stakeholder responsibility as a B Corp.
Goals:
Core Values:
Integrity Through Accountability:
As a B Corp-certified VC, BGV embeds transparency into governance, with a "Mission Lock" ensuring societal impact drives all decisions.
Inclusive Innovation:
BGV prioritises underrepresented founders through open applications and equitable mentorship, rejecting exclusionary practices like warm introductions.
Bold, Early-Stage Impact:
Backs scalable "tech for good" ventures tackling systemic issues, providing £60k seed funding and hands-on scaling support.
Collaborative Ecosystem:
Fosters peer networks among founders and advocates for policy shifts (e.g., Better Business Act), uniting stakeholders to amplify impact.
Long-Term Systems Change:
Invests patient capital aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, addressing root causes of inequality and environmental crises.
BGV’s model demonstrates how venture capital can catalyse systemic change, blending rigorous investment practices with unwavering commitment to people and the planet.
Founded in 2012, Bethnal Green Ventures emerged from a desire to help people turn bold ideas for social and environmental change into impactful startups. Inspired by early Social Innovation Camps that brought together those facing real-world challenges with tech talent eager to make a difference, BGV pioneered Europe’s first ‘tech for good’ accelerator. Today, BGV stands as a leading early-stage venture capital firm, investing in ambitious and diverse founders who use technology to tackle society’s biggest problems. As the UK’s first B Corp-certified VC, BGV is committed to integrity, inclusion, and long-term impact, believing that the world’s most valuable businesses will be those that improve millions of lives.
Connect on LinkedIn: Paul Miller
Bethnal Green Ventures invests in ambitious early-stage startups using technology to tackle major social and environmental challenges, with funding available up to Series A. The firm backs founders from diverse backgrounds through its accelerator programme, providing pre-seed capital, mentorship, and ongoing support. BGV’s portfolio spans sectors such as health, inclusivity, and sustainability, with a focus on scalable solutions that deliver both financial returns and measurable positive impact.
Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV) operates primarily within the UK, focusing on early-stage tech-for-good ventures headquartered or planning to incorporate in the country. While positioned as Europe’s leading tech-for-good VC, its core investments center on UK-based startups addressing social and environmental challenges. The firm leverages its London headquarters to cultivate a dense network of local innovators, policymakers, and impact-driven investors, fostering collaboration within the UK’s tech ecosystem. Though BGV’s branding emphasises European leadership, its geographic footprint remains UK-centric, with portfolio companies predominantly scaling domestically or expanding into global markets post-funding.
Bethnal Green Ventures focuses on three core impact themes aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), targeting sectors where technology-driven innovation can deliver scalable societal and environmental benefits.
Sustainable Planet: Ventures addressing resource efficiency, circular economy models, sustainable agriculture, clean energy systems, and low-carbon transportation.
Inclusive Society: Startups bridging gaps in education, fair work, poverty reduction, civic participation, and social justice. This includes WorkerTech innovations improving conditions for low-income and gig economy workers.
Healthy Lives: Technologies enhancing healthcare access, preventative care, mental health support, and solutions for aging populations.
Bethnal Green Ventures backs early-stage startups led by founders committed to solving social and environmental challenges, providing initial investment and hands-on support through its accelerator programme. The firm continues to support the promising ventures with follow-on funding up to Series A, helping founders scale impactful solutions as their businesses grow. Every investment aims to create lasting value for society and the planet, combining measurable impact with the potential for strong, sustainable returns.
Bethnal Green Ventures assesses potential investments through a structured process focused on impact, innovation, and scalability. Startups must demonstrate an innovative use of technology to solve problems at greater scale or in new ways, with the potential to positively impact millions of lives and reach significant enterprise value within 8–10 years. BGV looks for founders who are intentional about delivering positive social or environmental outcomes, with solutions that generate direct, measurable impact and a credible plan for achieving it. Reducing inequality is key, so ventures should improve affordability and accessibility for underserved or underrepresented groups. Practical requirements include being at an early stage, able to join BGV’s six-week hybrid programme, and incorporated in the UK with global ambitions.
Bethnal Green Ventures has cultivated a portfolio of 177 ventures currently addressing critical societal and environmental challenges through scalable technological innovation. Below are highlights of transformative companies shaping their industries:
Fairphone: designs smartphones with a fully traceable supply chain, integrating Fairtrade gold and conflict-free minerals to combat labor exploitation in electronics manufacturing. Dubbed as the world’s most ethical smartphone brand, it reduces e-waste through modular, repairable designs and promotes circular economy principles. Visit Fairphone
DrDoctor: partners with 70+ NHS Trusts to manage 109 million+ appointments annually. In August 2024, the platform expanded into mental health by acquiring Maia, enabling patients to manage appointments, access care plans, and view clinical documents within unified NHS pathways. Serving 24 million patients, DrDoctor integrates with the NHS App to streamline workflows, cut missed appointments, and modernise hybrid care delivery. Visit DrDoctor
Organise: empowers gig economy and low-income workers to collectively advocate for fair pay and conditions via its digital platform. It has supported campaigns at major UK employers, driving systemic labor reforms. Visit Organise
Overleaf: revolutionises academic research by providing cloud-based LaTeX editing tools, enabling real-time collaboration for 20 million+ global users. Its platform reduces administrative barriers in scientific publishing, particularly for underrepresented researchers. Visit Overleaf
Piclo: accelerates grid decarbonisation through its Piclo Max platform, enabling EV/battery owners and flexibility providers to access global electricity markets via a single interface, and Piclo Flex, which helps system operators source 3+ GW of flexible power during grid stress. Operating across six countries including the UK, US, Australia, and EU markets, the platform manages 350,000+ assets (26+ GW capacity) and has awarded £75m in contracts, driving smarter, sustainable energy networks. Visit Piclo
BGV secures its funding from a mix of institutional investors focused on social impact and early-stage technology. Key sources include the British Business Bank, which invests through its Enterprise Capital Funds programme, M&G Catalyst, Big Society Capital, and Peter Bristot of 22 Ventures. These backers contribute to BGV’s flagship funds, which are used to invest in and support early-stage tech-for-good startups across the UK. This blend of public and private capital enables BGV to provide initial investments and follow-on funding for promising ventures that address pressing social and environmental challenges.
Investment Stage:
Bethnal Green Ventures invests at pre-seed and seed stages, with follow-on funding available for standout companies up to Series A1.
Equity:
Initial investments are £60,000 for 7% equity per company through BGV’s flagship Tech for Good Programme. For the most promising startups, BGV can provide follow-on investments of up to £1 million at pre-seed and seed stages.
Funds:
BGV’s latest and largest fund to date has secured a first close of £33 million, with a target of £50 million, backed by the British Business Bank, M&G Catalyst, Big Society Capital, and other notable LPs. This fund aims to support up to 100 early-stage UK startups over four years, with a strong commitment to backing diverse and female-founded teams.
Support:
Beyond capital, BGV offers a structured six-week hybrid accelerator programme, ongoing mentoring, and access to a robust founder and expert network. Selected startups benefit from hands-on support in product development, impact strategy, business model validation, and fundraising readiness, as well as tailored coaching and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
BGV’s approach ensures that each portfolio company is equipped for sustainable growth and measurable impact, combining financial investment with deep operational and strategic support.
Bethnal Green Ventures is a leading force in early-stage tech for good, dedicated to delivering measurable social and environmental benefits at scale. As of December 2024, BGV manages £50 million in assets and supports a portfolio of 75 active companies, with 25 new programme and follow-on investments made in 2024 alone. BGV’s portfolio companies have achieved 9 successful exits and now reach over 21 million people through their products and services.
Each investment is grounded in rigorous impact assessment, focusing on ventures that improve health, promote inclusion, and drive sustainability. BGV’s approach aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, supporting startups that address issues from clean energy and responsible consumption to reduced inequality and quality education.
Recent impact reports highlight success stories such as LettUs Grow, which is transforming sustainable agriculture, and Vouchsafe, which is improving access to essential services for underserved communities. With its latest fund, BGV is positioned to invest in up to 100 new ventures over the next four years, further expanding its reach and deepening its commitment to building a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable future.
Bethnal Green Ventures fosters a vibrant entrepreneurial community, connecting founders with experienced mentors, advisors, and the essential resources to accelerate their growth. The firm invests in startups that drive positive change, aiming to improve lives and transform communities through technology. By collaborating with a broad network of partners and investors, Bethnal Green Ventures champions impactful innovation and supports the next generation of purpose-driven founders working to address society’s most pressing challenges.
The team at Bethnal Green Ventures comprises seasoned professionals with expertise spanning venture capital, technology innovation, and systemic social and environmental advocacy. Their collective background includes scaling high-growth startups, advising policymakers, and developing frameworks for ethical tech deployment, all underpinned by a shared commitment to fostering ventures that address pressing global challenges. Roles within the team encompass financial strategy, diversity-focused deal origination, and hands-on portfolio mentorship, informed by prior experience in both corporate scaling and grassroots community-building initiatives.
A defining feature of the team is their interdisciplinary collaboration, blending investment rigor with a practical optimism ethos; prioritising founder support through a large network of mentors across tech, impact measurement, and policy sectors. This approach is reinforced by principles such as leading by example, championing inclusion, and embedding accountability via B Corp certification. By uniting venture capital acumen with a mission-driven mindset, the team cultivates an ecosystem where commercial success and societal transformation are interdependent, ensuring each investment aligns with their vision of technology as a force for widespread, equitable good.
Learn more about the team on the Bethnal Green Ventures Team Page.
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