Deep tech businesses are often built on years of research, engineering and innovation. At Mercia Ventures, we invest in founders developing technologies that address complex scientific or industrial challenges and have the potential to reshape markets.
These companies typically emerge from universities, research environments or specialist engineering teams and require both technical depth and commercial ambition to succeed.
We support founders as they move from research and proof of concept through to commercialisation, helping translate advanced technologies into scalable businesses.
What we look for in deep tech businesses
Deep tech companies often follow a different path to market than traditional software or consumer businesses. While each company is unique, there are several characteristics we commonly see in the teams we back.
Strong technical foundations
Technologies built on deep research, specialist engineering or proprietary intellectual property.
Clear real-world applications
Solutions addressing meaningful industrial, environmental or technological challenges.
A credible path to commercialisation
A realistic route from technical innovation to scalable business opportunity.
Teams combining scientific and commercial expertise
Founders who can translate technical breakthroughs into practical products and markets.
Typical investment profile
We invest in deep tech businesses that have developed strong technical foundations and are beginning the journey towards commercial growth.
Stage
Early traction through to growth stage
Location
UK-based companies, often emerging from research institutions or specialist engineering environments
Use of funding
Commonly used to support product development, commercialisation, team expansion and early market entry.
If you are unsure whether your company fits this profile, you can explore more about who we back.
Companies we’ve backed in deep tech
We have partnered with founders developing technologies across areas such as advanced engineering, industrial innovation, data infrastructure and emerging technologies.
These companies demonstrate how technical innovation can translate into scalable commercial businesses.
Insights from the deep tech sector
Deep tech founders often navigate complex technical development cycles alongside the challenges of building a business.
Our team shares perspectives on topics such as commercialising research, scaling engineering-led companies and navigating early market adoption.
Explore more perspectives on our Insights page.
Support beyond capital
Founders in our portfolio gain access to Platform, Mercia’s network of expertise, connections and practical support designed to help businesses scale.
This includes introductions to experienced operators, specialist advisers and trusted partners across areas such as talent, commercial strategy and international growth.
Developing a Deep tech business?
If you are building a business based on breakthrough technology and considering investment, an initial conversation can help determine whether we might be a good fit.