British Business Bank Commits Additional £25m to Haatch-Managed Angel Syndicate Platform
February 25, 2026
British Business Bank has committed an additional £25 million to the Haatch-managed investment platform designed to back the UK’s most promising and diverse angel syndicates. This new commitment builds on last year’s initial £7 million allocation and brings the total capital through the platform to £32 million, and £52m total commitment to Haatch.
The programme reflects a growing recognition that early-stage innovation thrives when institutional capital and angel expertise work hand in hand. By partnering with Haatch, the British Business Bank can efficiently invest alongside high-performing, emerging syndicates that are deeply embedded in founder communities and specialist sectors.
This expanded commitment will accelerate Haatch’s ability to onboard additional syndicates in the coming months, broadening both the geographic reach and sector diversity of the platform.
Backing Specialist Angel Syndicates
The platform already supports a number of distinctive angel groups, each bringing unique networks and domain expertise:
• HERmesa - A rapidly growing community of women operators and entrepreneurs turned angel investors, focused on backing women-led, tech-enabled startups at pre-seed and seed stage.
• CircleRock Capital - A sector-agnostic syndicate offering investors access to leading early-stage opportunities alongside globally recognised venture firms.
• The Games Angels - A collective of seasoned gaming industry professionals investing in companies shaping the future of gaming.
• Sie Ventures - An early-stage investor dedicated to supporting diverse founding teams across the UK and Europe.
• 2050 Capital - A deep tech and science-focused investment firm targeting transformative, defensible innovations.
These syndicates exemplify a broader shift in venture investing: founders increasingly benefit from capital providers who combine funding with highly relevant operational experience, sector knowledge, and commercial networks.
Nationwide Impact Across Sectors
Since launching, the platform has already invested in 13 companies spanning regions from Cornwall to Cambridge and Bristol to London. The investments cover a wide range of high-growth sectors:
Healthcare & Life Sciences - Portfolio companies include pioneers in vaccine stabilisation technology, AI-powered healthcare automation, maternal health devices, and AgeTech solutions supporting modern workforce needs.
Sustainability & Climate Innovation - Backed businesses are tackling carbon reduction and efficiency challenges, from automated optimisation tools for game developers to advanced materials science innovations.
Deep Tech & AI - The scheme also supports cutting-edge ventures working on AI-driven code optimisation and chemistry automation, highlighting the UK’s strength in technically sophisticated, research-led startups.
Beyond sectors, the platform is intentionally championing founder diversity, supporting entrepreneurs with backgrounds ranging from Savile Row design to clinical healthcare and nationally recognised innovation awards.
Why Collaboration Matters
Fred Soneya, Haatch Co-founder & General Partner, says: “Collaboration between investors is absolutely vital for the UK’s startup ecosystem to properly thrive. This partnership demonstrates how institutional capital and angel expertise can work together to direct funding toward the country’s most innovative businesses.”
The British Business Bank echoes this sentiment, highlighting the platform’s early momentum and signalling its intent to scale alongside additional syndicates nationwide.
Strengthening the Early-Stage Funding Landscape
This expanded commitment represents more than just additional capital; it reflects a structural improvement in how early-stage companies access funding. By connecting institutional investment capacity with specialised angel networks, the platform enhances:
• Founder access to smart capital
• Regional investment coverage
• Sector-specific expertise
• Ecosystem-wide capital efficiency
As more syndicates join the programme, the long-term effect will be a more connected, resilient, and opportunity-rich environment for UK startups.
The programme reflects a growing recognition that early-stage innovation thrives when institutional capital and angel expertise work hand in hand. By partnering with Haatch, the British Business Bank can efficiently invest alongside high-performing, emerging syndicates that are deeply embedded in founder communities and specialist sectors.
This expanded commitment will accelerate Haatch’s ability to onboard additional syndicates in the coming months, broadening both the geographic reach and sector diversity of the platform.
Backing Specialist Angel Syndicates
The platform already supports a number of distinctive angel groups, each bringing unique networks and domain expertise:
• HERmesa - A rapidly growing community of women operators and entrepreneurs turned angel investors, focused on backing women-led, tech-enabled startups at pre-seed and seed stage.
• CircleRock Capital - A sector-agnostic syndicate offering investors access to leading early-stage opportunities alongside globally recognised venture firms.
• The Games Angels - A collective of seasoned gaming industry professionals investing in companies shaping the future of gaming.
• Sie Ventures - An early-stage investor dedicated to supporting diverse founding teams across the UK and Europe.
• 2050 Capital - A deep tech and science-focused investment firm targeting transformative, defensible innovations.
These syndicates exemplify a broader shift in venture investing: founders increasingly benefit from capital providers who combine funding with highly relevant operational experience, sector knowledge, and commercial networks.
Nationwide Impact Across Sectors
Since launching, the platform has already invested in 13 companies spanning regions from Cornwall to Cambridge and Bristol to London. The investments cover a wide range of high-growth sectors:
Healthcare & Life Sciences - Portfolio companies include pioneers in vaccine stabilisation technology, AI-powered healthcare automation, maternal health devices, and AgeTech solutions supporting modern workforce needs.
Sustainability & Climate Innovation - Backed businesses are tackling carbon reduction and efficiency challenges, from automated optimisation tools for game developers to advanced materials science innovations.
Deep Tech & AI - The scheme also supports cutting-edge ventures working on AI-driven code optimisation and chemistry automation, highlighting the UK’s strength in technically sophisticated, research-led startups.
Beyond sectors, the platform is intentionally championing founder diversity, supporting entrepreneurs with backgrounds ranging from Savile Row design to clinical healthcare and nationally recognised innovation awards.
Why Collaboration Matters
Fred Soneya, Haatch Co-founder & General Partner, says: “Collaboration between investors is absolutely vital for the UK’s startup ecosystem to properly thrive. This partnership demonstrates how institutional capital and angel expertise can work together to direct funding toward the country’s most innovative businesses.”
The British Business Bank echoes this sentiment, highlighting the platform’s early momentum and signalling its intent to scale alongside additional syndicates nationwide.
Strengthening the Early-Stage Funding Landscape
This expanded commitment represents more than just additional capital; it reflects a structural improvement in how early-stage companies access funding. By connecting institutional investment capacity with specialised angel networks, the platform enhances:
• Founder access to smart capital
• Regional investment coverage
• Sector-specific expertise
• Ecosystem-wide capital efficiency
As more syndicates join the programme, the long-term effect will be a more connected, resilient, and opportunity-rich environment for UK startups.
By
Fred Soneya
Co-Founder & General Partner
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