Exceptional Ventures

High-Level Overview

Exceptional Ventures is a London-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups that improve people's lives by focusing on health, happiness, longevity, and sustainability. Their mission is to back companies that contribute to healthier, happier, and longer lives while promoting a sustainable planetary ecosystem. They invest primarily at pre-seed and seed stages through their debut fund, EV Fund 1, which targets £20 million to build a portfolio of about 40 companies over three years. The firm focuses on three key sectors: HealthTech (including longevity, digital health, mental health, FemTech), FoodTech (alternative proteins, next-gen beverages, low/no alcohol, personalized nutrition), and Financial Wellbeing (personal wealth, financial education, InsurTech, ESG investing). Their investments are mainly in the UK and EU, with opportunistic global opportunities[1][2][3][4].

Origin Story

Founded in 2022, Exceptional Ventures was co-founded by Paolo Pio and Matt Cooper. Paolo brings experience as a Silicon Valley software engineer turned tech executive and venture capitalist, having been Managing Director for Europe at Joyance Partners, a US HealthTech VC fund. Matt Cooper has a strong banking and entrepreneurial background, co-founding Capital One Bank in the US and Tandem Bank in the UK, and chairing Octopus Group for over 20 years. Their combined expertise in technology, venture capital, and banking shapes the firm’s focus on impactful early-stage investments. The firm has evolved to leverage this deep industry knowledge and network to support startups that drive positive societal impact[1][2][3][4][5].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Focus on early-stage (pre-seed and seed) startups with a clear social impact and sustainability mission, reserving 20-25% of capital for follow-on investments to support growth.
• Network Strength: Founders’ extensive backgrounds in Silicon Valley, European tech, banking, and venture capital provide a broad and influential network.
• Track Record: Combined portfolio experience of over 200 startups invested by the founders, with a strategic focus on HealthTech, FoodTech, and Financial Wellbeing.
• Operating Support: Deep expertise in science, AI, health innovation, and financial services enables hands-on support beyond capital, helping startups scale effectively[1][2][3].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Exceptional Ventures rides the growing global trend toward investing in startups that address health, wellness, and sustainability challenges. The timing is favorable as consumer and regulatory focus on longevity, mental health, sustainable food systems, and financial wellbeing intensifies. Market forces such as increasing healthcare costs, climate change concerns, and demand for inclusive financial services create fertile ground for innovation in these sectors. By concentrating on early-stage companies in these verticals, Exceptional Ventures helps catalyze the development of technologies and business models that can reshape health and sustainability ecosystems across the UK, EU, and beyond[1][2][4].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Exceptional Ventures is positioned to expand its portfolio and influence by continuing to back startups that align with evolving societal needs around health and sustainability. Trends such as personalized medicine, alternative proteins, digital financial education, and ESG investing will likely shape their investment journey. Their global opportunistic approach combined with deep sector expertise suggests they will play a growing role in nurturing innovations that improve quality of life and planetary health. As the firm scales, its impact on the startup ecosystem will deepen, potentially setting new standards for socially responsible venture investing[1][2][4].