Bethnal Green Ventures

About

Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV) is Europe’s leading early-stage tech for good VC. We back ambitious founders using technology to tackle big social and environmental problems that aim to radically improve millions of lives. BGV has unrivalled experience and track record investing in and scaling tech for good businesses, generating top-tier returns for investors, as well as significant and measurable impact.

Founded in 2012, BGV pioneered tech for good as the first early-stage investor in Europe to focus exclusively on this sector. We have invested in 127 ventures to date, who have collectively gone on to raise a further £80M in follow on funding. The portfolio companies have 12.3M total users, and employ 362 people.

BGV was recently named as one of the UK's top 25 VCs, and is a cetified B Corp.

"There are very few ESG options in the EIS fund sector and very few accelerator programmes: the intersection is genuinely unique."

Dr Brian Moretta, Hardman&Co

Investment focus

Our investment thesis is guided by four key insights:

1) Social and environmental challenges need better solutions. But better solutions aren’t just good for humanity, they’re also a huge market opportunity.

2) Technology developed with intention is the best way to deliver positive impact at scale, enabling rapid growth, global reach and affordability through declining unit costs.

3) There's a rapidly growing expectation for business to be a force for good, from all angels including investors, founders and customers.

4) Diverse teams develop more accessible products and services, deliver better returns and better impact.

Our investments broadly sit under three themes: A Sustinable Planet | A Better Society | Healthy Lives

Key team members

Melanie Hayes - Managing Partner, Investment Director

Melanie leads on BGV’s portfolio and operations. She has over ten years of early stage investment experience in venture capital, specialist finance and corporate venturing and previously worked at Octopus Investments and Channel 4. Melanie began her career as a Chartered Accountant at Deloitte.

Paul Miller OBE - Managing Partner, CEO

Paul co-founded BGV and leads the company’s team and growth. Previously he was co-founder and CEO of an education technology startup and worked as a senior researcher for think tanks Demos and Forum for the Future. Paul has advised leading companies and the UK government on tech for good. He recently received an OBE for services to startup investing.