BGF hits $6.8B milestone after 15 years backing UK startups

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-06

Fifteen years ago, BGF was created to fill a big gap in the UK's mid-market funding scene. Today, this growth capital provider has invested over $6.8 billion (that's roughly $6.8B) across 650 businesses. It's a huge milestone that shows just how much they've been fueling the country's growth economy. The firm doesn't just throw money around. They act as a minority equity partner, offering flexible capital. For growth-stage companies, initial investments range from about $4.1 million to $41 million. For earlier-stage ones, it's between $4.1 million and $12.8 million. Pretty wide range, right? ### What makes BGF different? Andy Gregory, BGF's CEO, puts it simply: "Our model is deliberately different. We provide long-term capital through minority investments. That allows us to partner with entrepreneurs and management teams without taking ownership, supporting them to scale their businesses on their own terms." This approach has let BGF build a national platform, create real economic impact, and get solid results across their portfolio. They're not in a rush to cash out. They're in it for the long haul. ### Recent deals show the momentum So far this year, BGF has been busy deploying minority growth capital across UK companies in different sectors. Here are a few highlights: - **Gaussion** (London): $28.6 million round for battery intelligence tech - **TRIMTECH Therapeutics** (Cambridge): $14 million Seed extension, bringing their total Seed round to $47.8 million, for neurodegenerative disease drug development - **Fivium** (London): Undisclosed multi-million-dollar minority investment to scale public-sector software Together, the disclosed rounds add up to at least $42.6 million in new capital, or $76.4 million if you include TRIMTECH's full Seed round. ### A track record of returns Ben Barker, BGF's Chief Investment Officer, notes: "Reaching more than $5.8 billion deployed is a significant milestone. We've created a broad and diversified portfolio, with performance reflected in strong realisations. Our evergreen funding lets us recycle capital into new opportunities." Since 2016, BGF's exits have delivered a 22.6% gross internal rate of return. That's no small feat. And the economic impact is clear: - **Returns**: $5 billion in proceeds from over 280 exits - **Revenue growth**: $11.1 billion across portfolio companies - **Job creation**: Over 35,000 new jobs - **Regional focus**: 74% of capital deployed outside London and the South East ### What's next for BGF? Founded in 2011, BGF is now one of the UK and Ireland's most active growth investors. They've backed more than 650 companies through 15 offices. And they're not slowing down. With a strong pipeline of opportunities, they're well placed to keep building on their successful track record. So whether you're an entrepreneur looking for flexible capital or just someone interested in how growth investing works, BGF's story is worth watching.