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Creator Fund: Venture capital firm investing in pre-seed and seed-stage deeptech startups founded by PhD students and academics from European universities.
Creator Fund is a London-based venture capital firm that invests in pre-seed and seed-stage deeptech startups founded by PhD students and academic researchers across European universities. The organization operates specialized student-led investment teams distributed across 28 university campuses to identify emerging frontier technologies, managing approximately $300 million in total assets under management. It has backed a portfolio of over 55 companies to date, typically writing average initial investment checks of $500,000 up to a maximum of $900,000. The firm recently achieved a $41 million first close for its newest institutional fund targeting a $55 million final close, anchored by limited partners including Equation Capital and EIFO. Its deeptech portfolio features early-stage companies developing complex scientific solutions, with notable startup investments including Baseimmune, Apian, and Ovo Labs. Creator Fund was founded in 2019 by Jamie Macfarlane.
Key people at Creator Fund.
Key people at Creator Fund.
Creator Fund is a London-based venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in deep technology startups emerging from university research, particularly those founded by PhD students, professors, or recent graduates. Their mission is to back scientific founders who are developing revolutionary technologies that have the potential to fundamentally change industries and solve major global challenges. Creator Fund invests primarily at the pre-seed and seed stages, providing up to $750,000 as a first cheque, and actively supports portfolio companies to scale and secure further funding. Key sectors include AI, life sciences, deep tech, and frontier scientific innovations such as mutation-proof vaccines, electronic skin for robots, and mind-machine interfaces. By focusing on university spinouts and academic founders, Creator Fund plays a pivotal role in nurturing early-stage scientific innovation within the European startup ecosystem[1][2][5].
Founded in London, Creator Fund was established to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial innovation by supporting PhD-led startups across Europe. The firm has strategically embedded teams across 28 university campuses to identify and nurture exceptional talent. Key partners include founding partner Lord Rumi Verjee, chairman Henry Lane Fox, and venture partner Al Giles. Over the past five years, Creator Fund has backed 55 companies in eight European countries, evolving its focus to become the first pan-European fund dedicated to PhD-led deep tech startups. The launch of a $41 million fund, with anchor investment from German asset manager Equation Capital and support from the Danish Export and Investment Fund, marks a significant milestone in their growth and commitment to this niche[1][2][3].
Creator Fund rides the growing trend of commercializing university research and deep tech innovations, a sector gaining momentum due to increasing demand for breakthrough scientific solutions to complex problems. The timing is critical as European universities produce a wealth of untapped scientific talent and research that require specialized early-stage funding and support to transition from lab to market. Market forces such as rising interest in AI, biotech, and advanced materials, combined with increasing government and institutional support for innovation, work in Creator Fund’s favor. By focusing on PhD-led startups, Creator Fund influences the broader ecosystem by accelerating the commercialization of frontier technologies and fostering a new generation of science-driven entrepreneurs across Europe[1][2][5].
Looking ahead, Creator Fund is poised to expand its influence as it completes fundraising for its $41 million pan-European fund in early 2026, further solidifying its position as a leading investor in academic deep tech startups. Trends such as AI advancements, biotech breakthroughs, and increased university-industry collaboration will shape its portfolio and impact. As the firm scales, it may deepen its operational support and broaden its network to include more strategic partners, enhancing its ability to shepherd complex scientific innovations to market. Creator Fund’s continued focus on PhD-led ventures uniquely positions it to rewrite how the world works by backing the next wave of transformative scientific startups[2][5].
