Seeding to Succeed
The Seed Stage of the Ecosystem
Methodology and key terms
1
Foreword
2
Commentary
3
Chapter 1: The Seed Stage Overview
4
First-time seed-stage deals
5
Seed-stage deals by round number
6
Average first-time seed-stage deal sizes
7
Top seed-stage investors
8
Chapter 1 conclusion
9
Chapter 2: Seed Demand
10
Incorporations and cessations
11
Trend in time to raise
12
Differing experiences in raising seed funding
13
Chapter 3: Seed Supply
15
Trends in first-time use of the SEIS
16
Angel networks and crowdfunding
17
New investments
18
Investors and later stage deals
19
Chapter 4: Prognosis
20
2021
21
Beyond
22
About
23
Contents
1
Methodology and key terms
Equity investment
Scaleups
Accelerator attendance
MBO/MBI
Venture debt
Academic spinouts
High-growth lists
Major grant recipients
Methodology
Beauhurst identifies ambitious businesses using eight triggers (outlined at
the bottom of this page) that we believe suggests a company has high-growth
potential. More detail on Beauhurst’s tracking triggers is available via our website.
equity investment
To be included in our analysis, any investment must be:
•
Some form of equity investment
•
Secured by a non-listed UK company
•
Issued between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2020
announced and unannounced fundraisings
An unannounced fundraising is an investment made into a private company that
is completed without press coverage or a statement from the recipient company
or funds that made the investment. These transactions are an integral part of the
UK’s high-growth economy, accounting for around 70% of all equity transactions.
HigH-growtH triggers
Key terms
seed-stage
This is the first stage of evolution of a high-growth company and refers to a
young company with a small team, low valuation and little funding received. The
company may also still be working on its product