Money Is Back on the Table
Most of my blog posts over the last few months were all about doom and gloom.
It wasn’t me trying to be negative — it was just a reflection of what I kept seeing and hearing in conversations with founders and investors.
But it looks like things are changing. And changing fast.
Over the last few weeks, one after another, new funds have been announced. Coincidence or not, I’ve also noticed more founders suddenly securing funding.
Many don’t even post about it — they’re just quietly getting on with execution.
It feels like we’re on the upswing until Christmas. Founders should take advantage of it.
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A Record Season for New Funds
September and October 2025 will probably go down as one of the strongest periods for early-stage investment in recent years.
Concept Ventures closed its second fund at $88M, making it Europe’s largest dedicated pre-seed fund. They’ll invest in around 50 startups, with roughly $1M per cheque. Their focus on backing outsiders — first-time and unconventional founders — is exactly what the ecosystem needs right now.
C4 Ventures also launched a €100M Fund III, focused on AI and deeptech — from robotics to what they call “physical AI.”
Meanwhile, 55 North raised €300M for a pure-play quantum tech fund, the largest of its kind globally, backed by big names like Novo Holdings. That’s a massive signal for anyone building in deeptech or advanced science.
And it doesn’t stop there — May Ventures launched a €30M AI-focused fund in Germany, and Volta Ventures Fund II in Benelux will deploy €20M into B2B software startups.
What’s Behind the Surge
After months of hesitation, investor confidence is clearly back.
The British Business Bank and European Investment Fund are actively supporting new and underrepresented fund managers, which means more diverse investors — and by extension, more diverse founders getting backed.
There’s also a noticeable shift in focus.
More funds are targeting startups solving real problems — AI, climate, circular economy, robotics, dual-use innovation (civil + defence), and deeptech.
Even beyond the UK, funds like Vinted Ventures and Ukraine’s Phoenix Tech Fund are showing how much more mature and impact-driven the European ecosystem is becoming.
Why It Matters for UK Founders
Here’s what this means in practice:
More capital to access.
More funds = more doors. You don’t need to twist your story to fit one type of investor anymore.
More diversity in who’s backing you.
Many of the new funds are led by diverse teams and actively look for underrepresented founders.
Better alignment by sector.
If you’re in AI, deeptech, or quantum — there are finally investors who get it technically and are ready to back bold bets.
Ecosystem energy.
When new capital flows in, it lifts everything — founders, accelerators, universities, and even late-stage players feel the momentum.
What Founders Should Do Now
If you’re raising, this is your moment.
Update your deck, reach out, and re-engage your network.
Investors are hunting for deals again, but competition will heat up fast.
Be bold in your outreach, but also smart. Focus on finding investors who share your values and long-term vision, not just anyone with a cheque.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just another funding announcement cycle — it’s a real shift.
The UK and European early-stage ecosystem is waking up again, and it’s becoming more inclusive, diverse, and ambitious.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to raise, this might be it.
The money’s flowing, the optimism is back — now it’s on you to make the most of it.
✅ If this hit home, pass it on. There’s probably a founder in your circle who’s quietly gearing up to fundraise right now.
POLL TIME
(👉 Vote now — we’ll share the results in next week’s issue. All votes are anonymous.)
Is it just me, or has the vibe around fundraising suddenly changed?
INDUSTRY PULSE 🩺
(Last week’s poll results)
👉 If you’re building with AI — how much do you think about cybersecurity?
RAFE FOUNDERS EVENTS ❤️
Rare Founders
Startup Law 101: Avoiding F*ckups Before They Cost You
This masterclass offers founders practical legal guidance to avoid costly mistakes, covering essential topics like company formation, IP protection, contracts, data handling, and early risk management. Participants will gain real-world insights to strengthen their startup’s legal foundations and scale with confidence.
In-person event
Runway East Bloomsbur, 24-28 Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2SN, UK
Mon 20 Oct, 09:30 - 13:30 BST
Rare Founders
Open Mic Pitching & Networking - Halloween Special
A high-energy Halloween-themed pitch night where founders deliver rapid-fire ideas, face playful surprises, and compete for investor meetings. The event blends sharp pitches, spirited networking, and a touch of supernatural fun for a truly unforgettable startup experience.
In-person event
Blue Marlin Ibiza | London 45 Curtain Rd, London, EC2A 3PT, UK
Wed 29 Oct, 18:00 - 22:00 BST
Rare Founders
Open Mic Pitching & Networking: Health & Life Science Special
This time we are partnering up with Barclays Eagle Labs to bring together startups and investors in health and life science sectors. Expect hight industry experts, open mic pitching, and water guns! This time the space is pretty limited. Book now
In-person event
Blue Marlin Ibiza | London 45 Curtain Rd, London, EC2A 3PT, UK
Wed 8 Nov, 16:00 - 21:00 BST
OTHER LONDON EVENTS🌟
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Grishin Robotics VC
Close Your Round Faster: Insider Tips From Silicon Valley
Join an intimate breakfast session where founders gain practical fundraising strategies, investor insights, and the chance to refine their approach through an interactive Q&A. Attendees also enjoy exclusive access to a central London co-working space to continue networking and working for the day.
In-person event
7th Floor, 22 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ, UK
Fri 10 Oct, 09:00 - 11:00 BST
Borski Fund
Investors’ Reverse Pitch
A reverse pitch event where investors present their funding strategies and share what they look for in founders, giving female entrepreneurs and diverse teams valuable insight into accessing capital and building VC relationships. The evening features investor pitches, Q&A, and networking, bringing together a diverse mix of angels, VCs, and accelerators committed to backing underrepresented founders.
In-person event
London Bridge Area, London, UK
Mon 13 Oct, 17:30 - 21:00 BST
MetaMask
Builder Nights
Join an electrifying evening celebrating the Web3 builder community, featuring thought-provoking discussions, fireside chats with industry leaders, and panels on cutting-edge topics like institutional adoption and DeFi innovation. Attendees can connect with top minds, exchange ideas, and enjoy a vibrant night of networking, insights, and community vibes.
In-person event
Shoreditch High Street Area, London, UK
Mon 13 Oct, 18:30 - 22:00 BST
This Week in Fintech
London Fintech Breakfast
A casual morning networking event bringing together top founders, operators, and investors for meaningful conversations over coffee, fruits, and pastries. With no set agenda, attendees can drop by anytime to connect with Fintech and AI peers in a relaxed atmosphere.
In-person event
68 Hanbury St, London, E1 5JL, UK
Tue 14 Oct, 08:30 - 10:30 BST
Wise Humanity
Fail Forward
Join a program designed to help teams build trust, nurture creativity through psychological safety, and turn mistakes into opportunities for growth. It’s ideal for team leaders and members who want to overcome hesitation, blame, or avoidance and turn challenges into collective momentum.
Online event
Tue 14 Oct, 16:00 - 16:45 BST
Block Dojo
How To Build Your First Product With AI
This hands-on workshop introduces participants to building their first tech product using AI and no-code tools, covering everything from selecting the right platforms to launching successfully. Attendees will gain practical skills through guided exercises designed to make AI accessible to both beginners and experienced professionals.
In-person event
London Bridge Area, London, UK
Tue 14 Oct, 18:00 - 21:00 BST
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Encode Club
DAS The Dev Happy Hour
Join an exclusive happy hour bringing together top founders, investors, and builders from the digital asset space for meaningful connections. Guests can expect a curated crowd, great drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere with no panels, just conversations.
In-person event
41 Pitfield St, London, N1 6DA, UK
Tue 14 Oct, 19:00 - 22:00 BST
Pre-seed to Succeed
Online Founder and Investor Speed Dating
A fast-paced, invite-only matchmaking event connects standout pre-seed startups in B2B SaaS and AI with leading investors through a series of rapid 1:1 meetings. Designed to spark meaningful investment conversations, it also offers startups the chance to be fast-tracked to the final stage of a major funding program.
Online event
Wed 15 Oct, 09:00 - 10:30 BST
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Oasis London
Non Equity Financing - Debt & Grants
The session explores practical non-equity financing options for early-stage startups, offering expert insights into cashflow lending and the UK funding ecosystem. It’s designed for founders, bootstrapped entrepreneurs, and ecosystem supporters looking to navigate funding beyond traditional equity routes.
In-person event
2nd Floor, 60 Strand, London, WC2N 5LR, UK
Wed 15 Oct, 09:00 - 11:00 BST
SeedLegals
Mastering LinkedIn For Fundraising
Join a practical, high-energy session that explores unconventional strategies to help founders cut through the noise and connect with the right investors. Attendees will learn data-driven tactics, creative outreach methods, and LinkedIn strategies that have helped hundreds of startups secure meetings and funding.
Online event
Wed 15 Oct, 12:30 - 13:30 BST
Speakeasy
AI Tooling Demos
Join an evening of live demos and networking that brings together AI developers, API builders, and MCP innovators. The session highlights how well-built MCP servers are transforming real-world applications, featuring leading companies and a vibrant community meetup.
In-person event
Waterloo Area, London, UK
Wed 15 Oct, 17:30 - 19:30 BST
Wondercraft
The Future Of AI Video: Vibe Creation
An exclusive gathering will bring together founders, creators, and AI innovators to explore a groundbreaking new approach to video production through conversational AI. Guests will experience live demos, a judged video challenge with a major prize, and opportunities to connect with leading voices in the AI startup scene.
In-person event
140 Goswell Rd., London, EC1V 7DY, UK
Wed 15 Oct, 17:30 - 22:00 BST
Sclr labs
From Data Chaos To Growth Clarity
A private roundtable will bring together founders and investors to explore how data complexity impacts product-led growth in scaling SaaS companies. The discussion will focus on uncovering real traction signals, testing the effectiveness of insight tools, and sharing unfiltered perspectives beyond the pitch deck.
In-person event
Goodge Street Area, London, UK
Thu 16 Oct, 10:00 - 12:00 BST
Blue Garage
Demo Day
An innovation showcase will highlight the latest breakthroughs in textiles, materials, and sustainable design, featuring founders who’ve spent 12 weeks developing cutting-edge solutions. Guests will explore new ventures, meet emerging talent, and get inspired by creative projects shaping the future of the industry.
In-person event
30 Engate St, London, SE13 7HA, UK
Thu 16 Oct, 17:00 - 21:00 BST
Scale Story
Unlock Your Storytelling
Join a hands-on storytelling workshop designed to help founders refine their narrative, boost their marketing, and gain clarity on their vision. Through practical exercises, group sessions, and peer accountability, participants build confidence and frameworks to win over customers, teams, and investors.
In-person event
55-57 Rivington St, London, EC2A 3QA, UK
Thu 16 Oct, 18:00 - 20:30 BST
NoBa Connect
Why Every Angel Should Be Investing In The Future Of Work
Join an insightful session exploring how AI is reshaping the future of work and creating powerful opportunities for early-stage investors. Through expert panels and discussions, participants will uncover emerging investment trends, learn what founders need beyond capital, and gain practical tips for evaluating and engaging in this fast-evolving space.
In-person event
Moorgate Area, London, UK
Thu 16 Oct, 18:00 - 21:30 BST
The Tower
Co-Founder Connect
A fast-paced networking event designed to connect founders with potential cofounders, CTOs, and startup collaborators. Through structured speed rounds, group discussions, and open networking, participants can quickly find meaningful connections and explore exciting new projects.
In-person event
148 King's Cross Rd, London, WC1X, UK
Thu 16 Oct, 19:00 - 21:00 BST
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Vasily Alekseenko
Founder
@ Rare Founders
Rare Founders - building the bridge between founders and investors via regular in-person and online events, meetups, conferences.
