• Senior execs from Crowdcube and Fuel Ventures join the pre-seed investor ahead of the Budget, strengthening Haatch’s partnership, fundraising and investor relations teams
• Haatch appoints Jonathan Keeling as a new Partner to lead growth strategy in the UK investment ecosystem
• Haatch has doubled SEIS funds raised and deployed year-on-year so far in 2024
• Widely predicted changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) in October 30 Budget make SEIS/EIS even more attractive

Haatch, the pre-seed and seed investor in B2B SaaS businesses, has announced several senior hires as it bolsters its partnership, fundraising and investor relations teams in response to fast-growing investor demand for more opportunities to participate in seed enterprise investment schemes (SEIS) and enterprise investment schemes (EIS). 

Jonathan Keeling has joined Haatch as a Partner. Prior to this, he served as Chief Growth Officer at Crowdcube, Europe’s largest private market investment platform. Jonathan will lead Haatch’s broader growth strategy as the firm continues to mark its place as a leading fund manager in the UK investment ecosystem. He is joined by Tom Healy, formerly of Fuel Ventures, an established EIS and SEIS fund manager, who will lead Haatch’s newly formed fundraising team.

Founded in 2013, Haatch accelerates pre-seed and seed B2B SaaS companies to reach their first £1 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and build the infrastructure they need to scale beyond £10 million. Haatch specialises in building founder-led, early-stage sales teams. With a portfolio valued at over £800 million, Haatch has raised and invested more than £50 million over the last four years in over 100 B2B SaaS companies globally through its SEIS, EIS, and institutional funds, including its fund with British Business Investments (a subsidiary of the British Business Bank).

Following the Labour government’s election victory, demand for SEIS/EIS investment surged. Industry-wide, SEIS investment increased by 250% in the ten weeks after the election, compared to the same period last year.* Haatch’s SEIS fund, which was open for investment during this period, saw a 295% increase in committed capital post-election, outperforming the industry benchmark.

This surge is driven by expectations of a capital gains tax (CGT) hike in the October 30 Budget, currently 20% for higher-rate taxpayers. SEIS/EIS funds, with their significant tax breaks, are expected to become even more attractive. Investors holding shares for more than three years are exempt from CGT, and SEIS investors can halve their CGT liability on gains from other assets by reinvesting in an SEIS. EIS also offers deferral relief, allowing investors to defer CGT until the shares are sold.

Despite the recent surge, Haatch’s SEIS/EIS demand has been steadily rising for some time. SEIS raised and deployed in 2024 will reach over £10 million, compared to £5.34 million in 2023, doubling year-on-year with the EIS Funds following a similar trend. In response to this growth, Haatch’s co-founders, Fred Soneya and Scott Weavers-Wright OBE, recognised the need to expand their fundraising capacity to better serve investors and further scale their range of SEIS/EIS offerings.

Jonathan Keeling, formerly Crowdcube and now leading Growth at Haatch as a Partner, comments on Haatch’s strategy: "Haatch has built a brand that stands out in the UK’s investment landscape, attracting both investors and founders. We’re backing some of the country’s top B2B SaaS talent, providing the capital they need to scale fast and succeed. Our ambition is to grow into the hundreds of millions in AUM over the next few years, unlocking later-stage capital and expanding into new verticals.”

Fred Soneya, Co-founder and General Partner at Haatch, commented: "It’s the perfect time to strengthen our team when investor appetite for SEIS and EIS funds is at an all-time high. With the predicted changes to capital gains tax and increasing demand for tax-efficient investments, we’re well-positioned to help more businesses and investors succeed. Expanding our fundraising capacity - and making further strategic hires - will enable us to meet this growing demand while continuing to support the incredible founders we work with”.

Tom Healy, formerly at Fuel Ventures and now leading fundraising at Haatch, comments: "With SEIS investment surging by 295% post-election and Haatch’s SEIS funds doubling year-on-year, the timing couldn’t be better. The tax reliefs for EIS and SEIS investors are about to become more attractive than ever. Haatch’s operational expertise, paired with our network of industry-leading partners, puts us in the best position to back market-defining companies and guide investors through the shifting tax landscape."

Scott Weavers-Wright OBE, Co-Founder & Partner, comments: “Our ambitions for Haatch are bigger than ever. Over the next few years, we’re targeting £250 million raised and deployed via our tax-efficient SEIS/EIS funds, further empowering UK entrepreneurs and scaling businesses across the country. We’re doubling down on our commitment to invest regionally, backing the best UK founders and creating long-term value. The demand for these funds has never been stronger, and Haatch is in an ideal position to drive growth in the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”