Science Creates Ventures, the Bristol-headquartered specialist early-stage investor, has been awarded up to £15m to invest in some of the South West’s most promising deep tech innovations.
The commitment from British Business Investments will allow Science Creates Ventures (SCV) to invest in pioneering companies at the pre-seed, seed and Series A stages, primarily supporting those focussing on improving healthcare, quality of life and the environment. 
SCV is part of the Science Creates, the ecosystem that includes two Bristol incubators supporting deep tech entrepreneurs with purpose-built laboratory space.
Science Creates is committed to helping entrepreneurs accelerate ground-breaking ideas in areas as diverse as AI, synthetic biology, nano technologies and quantum computing with the potential to radically improve lives and the world.
It is the brainchild of Bristol-based chemist and investor Dr Harry Destecroix, who five years ago launched the first city’s first science incubator, Unit DX, in St Philips after discovering there was no home for science companies in the city.
One of its first residents was his own business, University of Bristol spin-out Ziylo, a biotech working to develop one of the first smart insulins to help people suffering from diabetes and which was acquired a year later by pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk in a deal potentially worth $800m (£628m).
Harry, pictured, now SVC’s managing partner, said: “We are delighted to receive the support of British Business Investments towards our mission to support scientists to transition out of the lab to deliver solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. 
“We believe there is an enormous amount of untapped potential sitting in universities across the UK and with the support of SCV and the broader Science Creates ecosystem, we believe we can help unlock this potential.
“We’ve enjoyed working with the British Business Investments team so far and value their support and enthusiasm and look forward to continuing to deliver on our mission across the broader UK deep tech ecosystem.”
A wholly owned commercial subsidiary of the British Business Bank, British Business Investments’ commitment to SCV comes through the Regional Angels Programme.
British Business Investments CEO Judith Hartley said: “This commitment from British Business Investments will support early-stage UK deep tech businesses that are committed to improving healthcare, quality of life and the environment.
“Science Creates Ventures will be investing across the UK, with a particular focus on South West England, thereby helping to reduce regional imbalances in access to finance.
“The Regional Angels Programme plays a vital role in developing the early-stage funding eco-system across the UK regions and nations, bringing together finance, business experience and skills to support the development of high-growth smaller businesses.’’
