SFC 2020: The Year in Review | SFC Capital

2020, a year of records for SFC Capital

In what has been a difficult year for everyone, at SFC Capital we feel very fortunate to be operating in a sector that has been relatively spared from the crisis.

2020 has even turned out to be a year of records for SFC – both in terms of fundraising and number of investments – and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support.

Whether you invested in our SEIS or EIS fund, made angel investments alongside us, joined our alumni network as a portfolio company, or took part in our pitching events, you have been an integral part of our success this year and we feel very fortunate to be able to rely on such an active and diverse network.

Here is our 2020 in numbers:

• Over £15m invested across the SFC Angel Fund, Angel Syndicate and our Regional Fund.
• 65 investments made to date.
• Successful launch of our £10m regional fund backed by British Business Investments – with already over £5m committed to companies this year.
• Two successful secondary exits:
  • Cognism (2016 - Fintech SEIS Fund), returning over 11x the original investment (excluding tax relief).
  • Onfido (2013 - SFC Angel Syndicate), returning 100x the original investment (excluding tax relief)!

Furthermore, in 2020 we have been recognised by PitchBook Data as the Most Active Seed Investor in the UK (and Europe!) in its Global League Tables (Q2 2020). Additionally, just last week we were named Best SEIS Investment Manager at the Growth Investor Awards.

This year, we have also seen many of our portfolio companies thriving despite the crisis – from e-learning (Langu) and software solutions (Sceenic, Cognism), to electric mobility tech (Swytch, Petalite) and consumer goods (Superfood Bakery, Mayku). During this period, we have also met many fantastic startups, some of which went on to pitch to the SFC investor network at our – now virtual – Crocodile Lair events. In 2020 we also launched the first The Beauty Accelerator™ alongside beauty brand consultancy The Red Tree, the winners of which went on to receive equity investment from the SFC Angel Fund and a year long collaborative partnership with TRT.

Last but not least, in 2020 we started a new chapter of growth. We took a big step and decided that it was the right time to adopt a new identity to better reflect our transition from small angel club to established investment firm – SFC Capital. 

2021 can only be an improvement on 2020 and we are excited to see what it will bring. There is no doubt that this is a time of great opportunity for early-stage companies and that we need innovation to help fuel the recovery in the coming years.

We look forward to working with you on backing the innovators of tomorrow, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry (and safe) Christmas and a Happy New Year!

SFC Capital Team