Begin Capital
Begin Capital is a London-based UK venture capital fund investing Pre-seed to Series A with $500K-$8M checks across two themed seasons: Season 1 (SaaS/AI/software infrastructure, 28 episodes, casting closed) and Season 2 (DeepTech, AI infrastructure, Robotics, Construction Tech, casting open). The firm serves early-stage European and global founders through a four-producer team and a 200+ angel co-investor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Begin Capital does
Begin Capital is a London-headquartered, UK-domiciled venture capital fund that invests at Pre-seed to Series A stages with a flexible ticket size of $500K-$8M. The fund operates a distinctive two-season structure: Season 1 (launched 2020, casting closed) deployed approximately 28 episodes across SaaS, AI, Software Infrastructure, Developer Tools, Cybersecurity, and Vertical SaaS, with checks of $500K-$7M and an average of ~$2M per deal. Season 2 (casting ongoing as of 2026) is thematically focused on DeepTech Software, AI infrastructure, Ops-Heavy Physical World, Robotics, Construction Tech, and AI/hardware layers, with checks raised to $500K-$8M and an average episode budget of ~$3M.
The firm is built around four producers (Alex Menn, Ruslan Sarkisyan, Joël Van Dijk, Saagar Bhavsar) and three venture partners who are themselves founders/CEOs of portfolio successes — Flaviu Rădulescu (Runware, AI inference), Elias Groll (Codesphere, sovereign cloud), and Dan Lifshits (Dwelly, AI-enabled property roll-up). The team curates a network of 200+ business angels who co-invest across seasons without SPV structures, and the firm's GTM relies primarily on network referrals, conference attendance (Slush, SaaStock Dublin, Emerge), and direct email pitch submission to partners. Geographic mandate is global with European focus; Season 1 portfolio included 21 of 23 business trips within Europe.
Begin Capital's revenue mechanics follow standard venture fund economics: management fees on committed capital plus carried interest on realized exits. Season 1 has produced six disclosed exits (Samokat, Bulbshare, Woom, Zadaa, Kapaga, Motley), and the active portfolio includes multiple assets that have raised substantial follow-on rounds — Runware ($66M total), Dwelly (£69M, ~$93M), SurrealDB ($44M), Codesphere (>$35M). Co-investment partners include Insight Partners, Dawn Capital, General Catalyst, RTP Global, Chalfen Ventures, and Tensor Ventures. AUM, LP composition, and management-fee economics are not disclosed in the source material.
Begin Capital firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Begin Capital
- Legal name
- Begin Capital
- Website
- https://begincl.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Begin Capital is a London-based UK venture capital fund investing Pre-seed to Series A with $500K-$8M checks across two themed seasons: Season 1 (SaaS/AI/software infrastructure, 28 episodes, casting closed) and Season 2 (DeepTech, AI infrastructure, Robotics, Construction Tech, casting open). The firm serves early-stage European and global founders through a four-producer team and a 200+ angel co-investor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Begin Capital industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital Fund
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Other Financial Vehicles (525990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B) (FSANAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Venture Capital Fund-of-Funds (FSANAGAC)
Keywords
Where Begin Capital is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Begin Capital business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Venture capital fund returns: Begin Capital is a venture capital fund. Returns are generated through capital appreciation on portfolio equity stakes and realized gains from exits (M&A or IPO). The fund operates on a multi-season structure (Season 1: 2020-2025; Season 2: ongoing) with checks ranging from $500K to $8M across pre-seed to Series A rounds. Portfolio includes 28+ companies with several notable exits (Samokat, Bulbshare, Woom, Zadaa, Kapaga, Motley).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Pre-seed/Seed Season 1: $500K–$2M tickets; Series A: up to $7M |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Season 2: $500K to $8M per deal with ~$3M average |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Begin Capital product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Begin Capital is a UK-based venture capital fund that invests in early-stage startups from pre-seed through Series A, deploying equity capital of $500K to $8M per deal. The fund delivers its offering through themed investment 'seasons' — Season 1 (2020–2025) invested in 28 companies across SaaS, AI, Developer Tools, Cybersecurity, and Vertical SaaS, while Season 2 concentrates on DeepTech Software, AI infrastructure, Robotics, Construction Tech, and AI hardware layers.
Product overview
Begin Capital is a UK-based venture capital fund that delivers its offering through themed investment "seasons" rather than a single SaaS product. Season 1 (launched in 2020) was industry-agnostic and targeted SaaS, AI, Software Infrastructure, Developer Tools, Cybersecurity, and Vertical SaaS across 28 episodes with checks from $500K to $7M. Season 2 (currently active) concentrates on DeepTech, AI infrastructure, Ops-Heavy Physical World, Robotics, Construction Tech, and AI & hardware layers reshaping silicon and systems, with checks from $500K to $8M. The fund combines capital deployment with operating-partner support to portfolio founders; the named products above (Season 1 and Season 2) together constitute the fund's complete offering, with Season 2 succeeding and specializing Season 1's broader mandate.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Begin Capital Season 1: Begin Capital's first investment season (industry-agnostic Pre-seed to Series A, Europe-focused, 28 episodes, $500k–$7M checks, ~$2M average).
- Begin Capital Season 2
Products and services
- Begin Capital Season 1 First investment season of the Begin Capital fund, comprising 28 episodes focused on SaaS, AI, Software Infrastructure, Developer Tools, Cybersecurity, and Vertical SaaS across Europe. Provides early-stage founders with equity capital of $500K–$7M per round at pre-seed to Series A stages.
- Begin Capital Season 2 Second themed investment season of the Begin Capital fund dedicated to DeepTech Software, AI infrastructure, Ops-heavy Physical World, Robotics, Construction Tech, and AI & hardware layers. Provides equity capital of $500K–$8M per deal to early-stage DeepTech and AI founders.
Quantifiable outcome
- 28 portfolio companies in Season 1 across SaaS, AI, Software Infrastructure, Developer Tools, Cybersecurity, Vertical SaaS
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Begin Capital
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Begin Capital technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Begin Capital partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Begin Capital competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Atomico: London-based later-stage European VC founded by Skype's Niklas Zennström; broader fund size and stage but overlapping pan-European thesis.
- Octopus Ventures: UK-based early-to-growth VC across multiple sectors including deeptech and AI; larger AUM and broader stage coverage but directly comparable European mandate.
Direct peers
- Creandum: Nordic/European early-stage VC backing pre-seed to Series A companies in software, AI and digital health; comparable check sizes and pan-European footprint.
- Seedcamp: London-based pre-seed/seed VC investing across Europe with similar ticket sizes and stage focus; a benchmark European first-check fund comparable to Begin Capital.
- LocalGlobe: London-based pre-seed/seed fund investing globally with European roots; similar founder-friendly approach and ticket sizes to Begin Capital.
- Crane Venture Partners: London-based early-stage fund investing across Europe in SaaS, AI and developer tools; similar size and stage profile to Begin.
- Frontline Ventures: London-based early-stage VC investing across Europe (and US) in B2B SaaS, AI and deeptech; overlapping thesis with Begin's Season 2 focus.
- Hoxton Ventures: London-based early-stage VC backing European technology startups at seed/Series A; comparable geography, stage and operator-led value-add.
- Speedinvest: Vienna-based early-stage VC with sector-focused funds (AI, deeptech, fintech, SaaS) investing at pre-seed to Series A across Europe; directly comparable stage and geography to Begin.
- Episode 1: London-based pre-seed/seed VC focused on UK and European consumer/internet/enterprise founders; similar stage, geography and small-team structure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Begin Capital social profiles
Digital presenceBegin Capital financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Begin Capital leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Begin Capital subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Begin Capital funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Begin Capital M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments37 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Begin Capital
What does Begin Capital do?
Begin Capital is a UK-based venture capital fund that invests in early-stage startups from pre-seed through Series A, deploying equity capital of $500K to $8M per deal. The fund delivers its offering through themed investment 'seasons' — Season 1 (2020–2025) invested in 28 companies across SaaS, AI, Developer Tools, Cybersecurity, and Vertical SaaS, while Season 2 concentrates on DeepTech Software, AI infrastructure, Robotics, Construction Tech, and AI hardware layers.
Is Begin Capital a public or private company?
Begin Capital is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Begin Capital founded?
Begin Capital was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Begin Capital based?
Begin Capital is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Begin Capital make money?
One revenue line is on record: venture capital fund returns.
Who are Begin Capital's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Atomico and Octopus Ventures. Direct peers are Creandum, Seedcamp, LocalGlobe, Crane Venture Partners, Frontline Ventures, Hoxton Ventures, Speedinvest and Episode 1.
Does Begin Capital have an API?
No public API is recorded for Begin Capital.
What industry is Begin Capital in?
Begin Capital's product category is Venture Capital Fund. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAB, Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B), with a secondary code of FSANAGAC, Venture Capital Fund-of-Funds. Its NAICS code is 523940.