INSIGHTS / Blog

Investment Futures is returning to London on 19 November to shape and support the investment landscape in 2025.

In previous years, the sole focus of our annual investment event has been to spotlight companies from across the SETsquared ecosystem. Bringing together academics, founders, investors and wider university teams, these events have long been a highlight in the investment calendar and have helped companies raise over £160m.

But last year, we switched things up. Now, Investment Futures, with the addition of dedicated roundtables and critical challenge sessions, helps to shape the future of investment whilst still offering the opportunity to catch the brightest talent emerging from across our ecosystem.

How are companies selected?

We’re often asked how companies are selected to feature on the day, and what the process looks like. In short, all companies must be raising between £250k and £5m and be able to demonstrate a well-thought-out investment campaign.

Companies can apply to showcase from across the SETsquared ecosystem. That could be through any of our SETsquared-run programmes, such as the Hydrogen and Sustainable Transport Economy Accelerator, Cosmic Capital etc., one of our Business Acceleration Centres, or a spin-out from a partner university.

This allows us to showcase a diverse portfolio of companies from across the SETsquared ecosystem, which we know investors appreciate.

The application process really allows us to get into the core of what each business is doing. We ask them to share basic information about their raise and supply a one-pager, slide deck, and short five-minute video pitch to help us ensure that we’re selecting the highest quality companies to progress with. The actual selection process is undertaken by an external panel and is supported by several investors who will whittle down applications to 20 who will have the opportunity to join us and showcase on the day.

The Investment Readiness Programme which follows really helps companies prepare in the lead-up to the event. Focusing on pitch refinement, impact, and other core aspects that investors are keen to see, this programme will get companies in the best shape before taking the stage for their lightning pitch and meeting with investors on the day.

Sectors of interest

From MedTech to cyber, quantum to sustainable technologies, we bring a range of sectors to the fore at Investment Futures. We support several high-technology sectors with our business support programmes, allowing companies to really knuckle down and scale their organisations with the best advice and support there is to offer. However, one area in particular that we’re seeing thrive across all of these sectors is deep tech.

Unlike traditional tech start-ups that focus on software or incremental innovations, deep tech ventures tackle some of the world’s most complex and fundamental challenges through breakthrough innovations in fields like AI, quantum computing, nanotechnology, and even advanced materials. These technologies are set to transform entire industries, from healthcare and energy to transportation and manufacturing, offering massive opportunities for those who invest early.

And it’s true – in the last couple of years, AI has been everywhere – so much so that many feel it is too ubiquitous to dig their teeth into. But the good news for investors is that SETsquared is already identifying companies that are using the technology in really innovative and challenging ways – ways that have the potential to deliver impact for millions moving forward.

Why is now the time to invest?

In 2025, many deep tech innovations will reach a critical point in their development, moving from theoretical concepts to commercially viable products.

Plus, the recent extensions of the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Venture Capital Trust (VCT) schemes present an unprecedented opportunity for investors, allowing them to continue to reap the tax relief benefits that have made EIS/SEIS and VCT investment such compelling propositions over the last couple of years. With income tax relief of up to 30% for EIS and the potential for tax-free dividends through VCTs, these schemes remain among the most tax-efficient ways to invest in early-stage companies.

With both government and private investors already ramping up committed capital in the sector, there hasn’t yet been a better time to consider these propositions within your portfolio. 

Shaping the investment landscape in 2025

With this now such a critical and exciting time for both innovation and investment, the opportunity to shape the landscape for both parties is one not to be missed. The key with Investment Futures is to offer thought leadership to the investment community, exploring how we can improve engagement between companies and investors, develop the pipeline of talent within the ecosystem, and much more.

Through our selection of roundtables and critical challenge sessions, we’ll be diving into some of the opportunities and challenges facing the community right now. This includes the opportunities within deep tech and how investors can tap into this transformative area, the move towards Net Zero and some of the work taking place to get us there faster, and what the investment landscape will look like as we move into the New Year.

Investment Futures is more than just a pitching event. It’s an unrivalled opportunity to collaborate with industry stakeholders and define real actions going forward.

Secure your spot at Investment Futures on 19 November