VCs.

Fund and be funded.

Focal is the hub for early-stage fundraising, accelerating the process and driving better results.

Focal has two demo-day formats, one where VCs can discover leading startups, and another where VCs pitch their funds to top tier LPs.

View W24 finalists Join the VC partner waitlist

W24 Demo Day: 17th October 2024, 2pm BST

For GPs who'd like to pitch an upcoming fund to prospective LPs, register interest to pitch at Focal Deploy '25

Find your next LP!

W24 backers

Deploy backers

As featured in Sifted, Maddyness, This is Money, Mail Online

WHAT

Focal runs two demo day formats for VCs.

We run bi-annual demo days which attract thousands of startup applicants, with 250 leading VCs helping surface the top 1% to pitch at demo day.

We also run Focal Deploy, the annual chance to pitch top-tier LPs. It's a great way to build hype for your fund and generate LP inbound.

WHY

Why choose Focal?

See the top 1% of startups

We surface the very best companies, as selected by 250 world class VC funds, from a pool of thousands of startups.

Request intros

If you’re interested in investing in any of our finalists and would like to learn more, request introductions with the click of a button.

Raise your next fund

Grow your LP network with Focal Deploy. Your application alone will be seen by our 110 LP partners. Watch investor interest flow into your inbox

TEstimonials

Founders don’t look back after applying

Focal is the YC equivalent of the UK tech ecosystem.

Nicolas Baranowski

Frame

Our inbox went nuts after pitching at demo day. We ended up raising a big Pre-Seed from a selection of VCs and angels, many of whom we met via Focal. Really rate what they've built.

Jonny Plein

YASO

With nothing but an elevator pitch, we were contacted by 10 of the UK’s top VC firms, before we even started fundraising.

Kabalan Gaspard

DataPostie

The program was well-run and organised, and we obtained some amazing angels through the process. We would highly recommend Focal to any founder looking to raise capital in an efficient manner.

Charlie Bullock

Scan.com

Before we entered Focal we had a few thousand pounds committed to our SAFE. A couple of weeks, later we had hundreds of thousands in the SAFE and had found a lead investor for our upcoming Seed round too.

Andy Aitken

Honest Mobile

We felt supported every step of the way. Most importantly the event resulted in fruitful conversations with many investors and interested parties and placed us firmly on the ecosystem map.

Madi A

BOLDR

I can’t recommend Focal to founders enough. They've been amazing at supporting our mission.

Peony Li

Jude

Candidly, I was a little sceptical at first. We were totally blown away. It resulted in loads of VC / angel inbounds and even a couple of potential customers.

Dillon Harindiran

Slipstream

Someone in the startup world recommended I apply to Focal. It was very well run and we ended up raising a £1.3m seed round coming out of it. They also pooled together a load of smaller investors into an SPV which was cool. Definitely worth applying.

Charlotte Bax

Captur

Usually, you'd need to spend weeks to reach so many investors and have cold ears, but Focal helped us cut through the noise in one fell swoop.

Hamish Blythe

Trilo

TEstimonials

It's a no brainer for investors

Focal has created a new opportunity for fundraising for founders and helped VCs to develop a highly needed collaborative approach - both great for the ecosystem.

Pietro Bezza

Connect Ventures

Our second fund III investment, YASO, came through Focal. They've done a remarkable job of attracting a first-rate group of smart entrepreneurs.

Chris Smith

Playfair

Concept has loved being part of the Focal network, and we're proud to have backed a few of the brilliant startups involved. A great way to democratise fundraising.

Oliver Kicks

Concept

It’s great to see Focal building on their success for startups, to help drive forward venture investing in the UK and Europe.

Andrew J Scott

7Percent

Focal offers much needed access and efficiency to founders allowing them to focus on what ultimately matters most at this stage - building product and speaking to users.

Akshat Goenka

Moonfire

A great initiative to level the playing field, offering founders the opportunity to get their vision and pitch in front of VCs and angels, and supercharge their fundraising efforts

Daphne Dovermann

ex-Atomico

Focal is a remarkable initiative that levels the playing field, granting founders the golden opportunity to showcase their vision and pitch to VCs and angels, igniting their fundraising efforts to unprecedented heights.

Audrey Handem

Speedinvest

It's a no brainer for investors

Focal has created a new opportunity for fundraising for founders and helped VCs to develop a highly needed collaborative approach - both great for the ecosystem.

Pietro Bezza

Connect Ventures

Our second fund III investment, YASO, came through Focal. They've done a remarkable job of attracting a first-rate group of smart entrepreneurs.

Chris Smith

Playfair

Concept has loved being part of the Focal network, and we're proud to have backed a few of the brilliant startups involved. A great way to democratise fundraising.

Oliver Kicks

Concept

It’s great to see Focal building on their success for startups, to help drive forward venture investing in the UK and Europe.

Andrew J Scott

7Percent

Focal offers much needed access and efficiency to founders allowing them to focus on what ultimately matters most at this stage - building product and speaking to users.

Akshat Goenka

Moonfire

A great initiative to level the playing field, offering founders the opportunity to get their vision and pitch in front of VCs and angels, and supercharge their fundraising efforts

Daphne Dovermann

ex-Atomico

Focal is a remarkable initiative that levels the playing field, granting founders the golden opportunity to showcase their vision and pitch to VCs and angels, igniting their fundraising efforts to unprecedented heights.

Audrey Handem

Speedinvest

The quality that Focal surfaces is amazing. I found as many interesting companies in the recent batch as I did in the last 4 conferences combined.

András Fehér

Day One Capital

It made discovering and investing in top tier companies so easy.

Isabelle O'Keefe

Sure Valley Ventures

Focal is an incredible platform for early stage founders and investors. Beyond opening up access to the fundraising market, they’re building a great support network that’ll benefit the European, early stage landscape.

Mas Senghore

ex-MMC

It's probably the easiest way for founders to raise and for investors to access great deal flow.

Tash Jones

ex-Octopus Ventures

One of the most visible, open source (and, therefore, diverse) platforms for entrepreneurs to connect with early stage VCs - it's become a central event in the ecosystem.

Emma Steele

Ascension

Focal has positioned itself as one of the most important events in European VC by connecting quality founders with top-tier investors and creating opportunities that benefit the whole ecosystem.

Sarah Kreik

DN Capital

Being selected as a finalist for Focal Deploy is an honour; the platform is ultimately championing a shift in the ecosystem as emerging VCs demonstrate the expanding influence of network effects.

Jeffrey Evans

Mantis VC

Focal Deploy is revolutionising the landscape by facilitating and bridging connections between LPs and GPs.

Salomon Aiach

Origins

Our finalists have raised >£110m from top-tier funds like

See alumni

Backed by the best

Frequently asked questions

I have LPs in my network who would be a great addition, what do I do?

We would love to hear from them! Feel free to drop us an email at hq@gofocal.vc

Do you charge me to take part?

Focal is not a placement agent or broker. It’s free to both attend and apply.

How do you seed the network of Limited Partners?

We look for evidence of sophisticated LP, not just net asset value. Having said that, we look for a minimum commitment to venture of £500,000 in the past 5 years and/or evidence of dedicated teams and capital.

How do I receive introductions to LPs?

We showcase all of the data points we collect on GPs to vetted LPs. If an LP is interested in a meeting, you will receive an automated email with contact details to set up a meeting.

How does the fund selection for your Deploy event work?

We expect there to be a huge amount of demand for this event. We want to select a diverse range of high-performing general partners. Applicants will be reviewed by the Focal team and our LP partners.

I have LPs in my network who would be a great addition, what do I do?

We would love to hear from them! Feel free to drop us an email at hq@gofocal.vc

Do you charge me to take part?

Focal is not a placement agent or broker. It’s free to both attend and apply.

How do you seed the network of Limited Partners?

How do I receive introductions to LPs?

We showcase all of the data points we collect on GPs to vetted LPs. If an LP is interested in a meeting, you will receive an automated email with contact details to set up a meeting.

How does the fund selection for your Deploy event work?

We expect there to be a huge amount of demand for this event. We want to select a diverse range of high-performing general partners. Applicants will be reviewed by the Focal team and our LP partners.

VCs.

Fund and be funded.

WHAT

WHY

Why choose Focal?

See the top 1% of startups

Request intros

Raise your next fund

TEstimonials

Founders don’t look back after applying

Focal is the YC equivalent of the UK tech ecosystem.

Our inbox went nuts after pitching at demo day. We ended up raising a big Pre-Seed from a selection of VCs and angels, many of whom we met via Focal. Really rate what they've built.

With nothing but an elevator pitch, we were contacted by 10 of the UK’s top VC firms, before we even started fundraising.

The program was well-run and organised, and we obtained some amazing angels through the process. We would highly recommend Focal to any founder looking to raise capital in an efficient manner.

Before we entered Focal we had a few thousand pounds committed to our SAFE. A couple of weeks, later we had hundreds of thousands in the SAFE and had found a lead investor for our upcoming Seed round too.

We felt supported every step of the way. Most importantly the event resulted in fruitful conversations with many investors and interested parties and placed us firmly on the ecosystem map.

I can’t recommend Focal to founders enough. They've been amazing at supporting our mission.

Candidly, I was a little sceptical at first. We were totally blown away. It resulted in loads of VC / angel inbounds and even a couple of potential customers.

Someone in the startup world recommended I apply to Focal. It was very well run and we ended up raising a £1.3m seed round coming out of it. They also pooled together a load of smaller investors into an SPV which was cool. Definitely worth applying.

Usually, you'd need to spend weeks to reach so many investors and have cold ears, but Focal helped us cut through the noise in one fell swoop.

TEstimonials

It's a no brainer for investors

Focal has created a new opportunity for fundraising for founders and helped VCs to develop a highly needed collaborative approach - both great for the ecosystem.

Our second fund III investment, YASO, came through Focal. They've done a remarkable job of attracting a first-rate group of smart entrepreneurs.

Concept has loved being part of the Focal network, and we're proud to have backed a few of the brilliant startups involved. A great way to democratise fundraising.

It’s great to see Focal building on their success for startups, to help drive forward venture investing in the UK and Europe.

Focal offers much needed access and efficiency to founders allowing them to focus on what ultimately matters most at this stage - building product and speaking to users.

A great initiative to level the playing field, offering founders the opportunity to get their vision and pitch in front of VCs and angels, and supercharge their fundraising efforts

Focal is a remarkable initiative that levels the playing field, granting founders the golden opportunity to showcase their vision and pitch to VCs and angels, igniting their fundraising efforts to unprecedented heights.

It's a no brainer for investors

Focal has created a new opportunity for fundraising for founders and helped VCs to develop a highly needed collaborative approach - both great for the ecosystem.

Our second fund III investment, YASO, came through Focal. They've done a remarkable job of attracting a first-rate group of smart entrepreneurs.

Concept has loved being part of the Focal network, and we're proud to have backed a few of the brilliant startups involved. A great way to democratise fundraising.

It’s great to see Focal building on their success for startups, to help drive forward venture investing in the UK and Europe.

Focal offers much needed access and efficiency to founders allowing them to focus on what ultimately matters most at this stage - building product and speaking to users.

A great initiative to level the playing field, offering founders the opportunity to get their vision and pitch in front of VCs and angels, and supercharge their fundraising efforts

Focal is a remarkable initiative that levels the playing field, granting founders the golden opportunity to showcase their vision and pitch to VCs and angels, igniting their fundraising efforts to unprecedented heights.

The quality that Focal surfaces is amazing. I found as many interesting companies in the recent batch as I did in the last 4 conferences combined.

It made discovering and investing in top tier companies so easy.

Focal is an incredible platform for early stage founders and investors. Beyond opening up access to the fundraising market, they’re building a great support network that’ll benefit the European, early stage landscape.

It's probably the easiest way for founders to raise and for investors to access great deal flow.

One of the most visible, open source (and, therefore, diverse) platforms for entrepreneurs to connect with early stage VCs - it's become a central event in the ecosystem.

Focal has positioned itself as one of the most important events in European VC by connecting quality founders with top-tier investors and creating opportunities that benefit the whole ecosystem.

Being selected as a finalist for Focal Deploy is an honour; the platform is ultimately championing a shift in the ecosystem as emerging VCs demonstrate the expanding influence of network effects.

Focal Deploy is revolutionising the landscape by facilitating and bridging connections between LPs and GPs.

Our finalists have raised >£110m from top-tier funds like

Backed by the best

Frequently asked questions

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