British Business Bank Invests €11 Million in Fuel Ventures Multi-Fund

The British Business Bank has announced a significant investment of €11 million (£10 million) into the Fuel Ventures funds through its Regional Angels Programme. Launched in 2019, this program aims to address disparities in early-stage equity finance access.

Fuel Ventures, initially established to support ambitious Tech founders, has now evolved into a multi-stage VC firm. Their funds are designed to assist companies from pre-Seed stage all the way through to Series A.

Mark Barry, Senior Investment Director at the British Business Bank, emphasized the importance of the Regional Angels Programme in bridging early-stage capital gaps across the UK. The commitment to Fuel Ventures is a testament to this mission, as it provides ongoing support to founders as their companies grow.

This investment in Fuel Ventures is part of a broader initiative by the British Business Bank to support UK venture and growth-capital managers. In 2026 alone, the Bank has committed funds to various firms, including Ascension Ventures and SFC Capital, through the Regional Angels Programme.

Additionally, the Bank has made substantial investments in emerging VC managers such as Investor Pathways Capital, FPE Capital, Tapestry VC, and Soho Square Capital. These commitments, along with the recent allocation to Fuel Ventures, total approximately €417 million, covering funding strategies from pre-Seed to later-stage growth.

Apart from investing in venture capital firms, the British Business Bank has also directly funded over 50 UK technology companies, with investments totaling more than €695 million. This includes support for companies in the science and technology sector.

Fuel Ventures, founded by Mark Pearson, aims to assist promising early-stage UK companies that face challenges in securing follow-on funding. The recent commitment from the British Business Bank will enable Fuel Ventures to expand its fund structure and support new investments as well as follow-on rounds for existing portfolio companies.

Since its inception, Fuel Ventures has invested over €330 million (£280 million) in more than 230 early-stage UK companies. They have been early backers of successful companies like Volt, ContentCal, and Capdesk.

Mark Pearson, founder and Managing Partner of Fuel Ventures, expressed gratitude for the support from the British Business Bank, highlighting the commitment to standing behind founders and helping them grow.

Overall, the partnership between Fuel Ventures and the British Business Bank signifies a shared goal of fostering growth and innovation in the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This collaboration not only provides financial support but also strategic guidance to early-stage companies on their journey to success.