We back exceptional founders working at the frontier.
If you are turning fundamental research into a company, and you need investors who understand the science, we want to hear from you.
IP-rich science, solving a real problem.
We lead pre-seed and seed rounds. We are most useful to founders spinning out of universities and research institutions who value investors that can pressure-test the science and open the right doors.
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Entirely new technology
Developed from fundamental research, with a defensible technical moat.
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IP-rich and defensible
Patents, know-how or data advantages that compound as you scale.
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A real problem, a real market
Across life sciences, advanced materials, TechBio, photonics and quantum, robotics, AgTech and deep tech.
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A team that owns the journey
Scientists who want to build the company, not just publish the paper.
The questions founders ask us.
More context on how we invest, what we look for, and what working with Empirical actually looks like. Still unsure? Just ask.
What stage do you invest at?
We invest at pre-seed and seed. We often write the first institutional cheque, and we are comfortable engaging early, sometimes before you have spun out or incorporated.
What cheque sizes do you write, and do you lead?
Initial cheques are typically in the hundreds of thousands, and we regularly lead pre-seed and seed rounds, helping assemble the rest of the syndicate. We also reserve capital to follow on into later rounds.
Which sectors do you back?
Life sciences, deep tech, advanced materials, robotics and energy. If it is IP-rich science developed from fundamental research and solving a real problem, we want to see it, regardless of how early or how technical.
Do I need to have spun out of my university already?
No. We are comfortable engaging pre-spinout and pre-incorporation, and we can help you navigate the spinout process, IP negotiation and founding team formation.
What do you look for in a company?
Entirely new technology from fundamental research, defensible IP, a real and sizeable market, and a team that wants to own the whole journey from the finding to the funding to the product.
How does SEIS/EIS affect my company?
Our fund invests through SEIS- and EIS-eligible structures, which can be highly attractive to early investors. We will guide you through eligibility and advance assurance as part of the process.
What support do you give beyond capital?
Rigorous technical diligence that sharpens your own thinking, follow-on strategy, help with hiring, and introductions to co-investors and customers. Where it helps, we can also bring your story to a global science audience of more than three million.
How long does the process take?
Initial screening is quick. Full diligence on deep science takes longer than software because we genuinely test the science with domain experts. Expect weeks rather than days, and a clear answer either way.