Sapphire Capital Partners

What Sapphire Capital Partners does

Sapphire Capital Partners LLP is an FCA-authorised alternative investment fund manager and fund incubator headquartered in Belfast, United Kingdom, founded in 2010. The firm specialises in the launch, structuring, and ongoing management of venture capital funds — particularly SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) and EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) funds — acting as FCA-authorised operator and manager for fund visionaries who lack regulatory authorisation of their own. Sapphire's service stack spans full-service fund management, fund incubation and formation, SEIS/EIS advance assurance, regulatory compliance consulting, R&D tax credit assistance, and Consumer Duty product packs for financial advisers. Its client base comprises three primary segments: fund visionaries/GP-LP managers seeking FCA-authorised oversight, HNW and sophisticated investors accessing tax-efficient venture opportunities, and early-stage SMEs seeking SEIS/EIS-qualifying funding.

The firm generates revenue through three streams: recurring management fees on the venture capital and EIS/SEIS funds it operates, project-based fees for fund incubation and formation services, and professional services fees for regulatory compliance consulting. Sapphire manages a portfolio of over 20 named funds spanning technology (Fuel Ventures, Velocity, AI VentureFlows), sustainability (Sustainable Ventures, Zero Carbon Capital), robotics (British Robotics Scale-Up Fund), design (British Design Fund), consumer brands (Anotherway, Better Ventures), gaming (Gametech), agriculture (Regenerate Ventures), life sciences (WAPG), and athlete-focused investing (The Players Fund). Notable long-term mandates include a decade-long partnership with Fuel Ventures and a £30 million Nigeria-focused CNG energy transition mandate for Impala Energy Holdings LLP, a subsidiary of A.P. Moller Capital.

Sapphire is B Corp certified, a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and HM Treasury's Women in Finance Charter, and FCA-regulated under MIFIDPRU, AIFMD, SRD II, and Consumer Duty frameworks. Distribution is primarily direct B2B engagement supplemented by intermediary relationships with financial advisers, IFAs, and channel partners such as GrowthInvest.

Name

Sapphire Capital Partners

Legal name

Sapphire Capital Partners LLP

Website

https://sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sapphire Capital Partners LLP is an FCA-authorised UK fund manager and incubator that launches, structures, and manages SEIS/EIS venture capital funds on behalf of fund visionaries, HNW investors, and early-stage SMEs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Venture Capital Fund Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Institutional Capital Introduction (LP/Family Office/Endowment Matching) (FSAEALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory (BPAHADAB), Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships Advisory (JVs, Alliances, Carve-outs) (BPAHAOAG)

Keywords

• Venture capital fund management
• SEIS fund administration
• EIS fund management
• Fund incubation services
• Regulatory compliance advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fund Management Fees: Ongoing management fees from managing venture capital and EIS/SEIS funds as FCA-authorised operator and manager.
2. Fund Incubation & Formation Services: Setup and structuring fees for launching new VC funds including GP/LP structures, EIS funds, and SEIS funds.
3. Regulatory Compliance Consulting: Advisory services for regulatory compliance including appointed representative services and FCA compliance obligations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sapphire Capital Partners LLP is an FCA-authorised fund incubator and manager that launches, structures, and manages venture capital and SEIS/EIS funds on behalf of fund visionaries and investors. It provides full-service fund management, modern fund administration, investor relations management, appointed representative services, SEIS and EIS advance assurance, regulatory compliance consulting, R&D tax credit assistance, and FCA Consumer Duty product packs.

Product overview

Sapphire Capital Partners LLP operates as a fund incubator and manager providing FCA-authorised investment management services for venture capital and property funds. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services including full-service fund management, SEIS/EIS advance assurance, regulatory compliance consulting, and R&D Tax Credits assistance. As a fund incubator, Sapphire supports visionaries in launching sector-leading early-stage venture capital funds, providing management, tools and resources. The company manages a diverse portfolio of EIS and SEIS funds spanning technology, sustainability, robotics, gaming, fintech, healthtech, and consumer brands, including Fuel Ventures Fund, British Design Fund, Velocity Technology Funds, Anotherway Ventures Fund, Sustainable Ventures Funds, AI Ventureflows SEIS Fund, and High Growth SME Fund, among others. The firm serves as FCA-authorised operator and manager for various fund structures including GP/LP entities and provides Consumer Duty product packs for adviser compliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sapphire: Fund incubator and manager specializing in venture capital and property funds

Products and services

• Full-Service Fund Management Comprehensive fund management for venture capital and property funds as an FCA-authorised operator and manager, including regulatory compliance, investor relations, and appointed representative services for fund visionaries and emerging fund managers in the UK.
• Fund Incubator Services End-to-end support for visionaries launching sector-leading early-stage venture capital funds, including management, tools, and resources to navigate the UK VC ecosystem, structures including GP/LP, EIS and SEIS funds.
• Modern Fund Administration & Software Modern fund administration platform supporting the operational and reporting needs of the venture capital and SEIS/EIS funds under Sapphire's management.
• Investor Relations Management Management of investor onboarding, reporting, communications and ongoing investor relations for investors in SEIS, EIS and other tax-efficient venture capital funds managed by Sapphire.
• Appointed Representative Services Enables fund visionaries and emerging fund managers to operate under Sapphire Capital Partners' FCA authorisation via appointed representative status, allowing them to provide investment management or advice without obtaining their own FCA authorisation.
• SEIS Advance Assurance Assistance for entrepreneurs and companies in obtaining HMRC Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) advance assurance, supporting companies raising tax-efficient investment through SEIS structures.
• EIS Advance Assurance Assistance for companies in obtaining HMRC Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) advance assurance, supporting those seeking funding through EIS structures.
• Regulatory Compliance Consulting Expert guidance on FCA regulatory requirements, compliance obligations, governance frameworks, and appointed representative services for investment fund managers and advisers.
• R&D Tax Credits Assistance Support services for entrepreneurs and investee companies seeking Research and Development Tax Credits, helping turn innovative ideas into reality alongside SEIS/EIS funding.
• Consumer Duty Product Packs Comprehensive documentation packs for advisers ensuring client compliance with FCA Consumer Duty regulations, including target market statements and value-for-money assessments for Sapphire-managed SEIS/EIS funds.

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Palace Ventures LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatthew Barnes at Palace Ventures Limited recommended Sapphire to The Players Partnership LLP for FCA-authorised operator and manager services. The Players Partnership LLP became the Appointed Representative of Palace Ventures Limited, enabling it to provide investment advice to Sapphire.
• GrowthInvestminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGustaf Sander testimonial notes Sapphire has unparalleled insight into UK tax-efficient market, enabling access to SEIS, EIS and VCTs for companies seeking funding and professionals setting up investment services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Symvan Capital: Boutique UK EIS/SEIS fund manager also shortlisted alongside Sapphire in the 2019 Growth Investor Awards. Operates a similar model of launching sector-specific tax-efficient funds for HNW investors.
• Deepbridge Capital: UK-based FCA-authorised fund manager specialising in SEIS, EIS, and IHT products. Was shortlisted alongside Sapphire in the 2019 Growth Investor Awards for Best SEIS Investment Manager, making it one of the closest direct comparables.
• Jenson Funding Partners: UK SEIS/EIS fund manager and co-shorlisted Sapphire at the 2019 Growth Investor Awards. Runs multiple vintage funds targeting HNW investors via the IFA channel, similar in scale and product mix.
• Startup Funding Club: UK SEIS/EIS fund manager and co-shorlisted peer at the 2019 Growth Investor Awards. Operates syndicated EIS/SEIS investment products at a similar boutique scale to Sapphire.

Others

• Velocity Capital Partners:
• EISA (Enterprise Investment Scheme Association): Industry body for SEIS/EIS/VCT providers. Sapphire team members (including Ben McMeekin) hold EISA qualifications and Sapphire participates in EISA events; useful as an ecosystem comparator for marketing and thought-leadership positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Maven Capital Partners: UK fund manager operating regional venture capital funds and tax-efficient products across the UK. Comparable as an established fund-of-funds and direct VC manager with FCA-authorised structure, though at materially larger scale.
• Octopus Investments: One of the UK's largest retail investment platforms, with a major SEIS/EIS fund range (Octopus Apollo, Octopus Zenith, Octopus Titan). Competes for the same IFA distribution channel and HNW tax-efficient investors, but at materially greater AUM scale.
• Downing LLP: UK-based fund manager running multiple EIS, VCT, and BRIT products alongside sustainable and healthcare mandates. Direct competitor for tax-efficient fund distribution through IFAs.

Emerging players

• Praetura Ventures: UK-based regional VC that has incubated multiple EIS/SEIS-style vehicles targeting Northern England startups. Comparable as a similarly-positioned boutique fund manager in the UK tax-efficient ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/3673
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sapphire-capital-partners-llp
• Xx.com/SapphireCap

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sapphire Capital Partners