This marks the first full financial year completed by the DWF Venture Capital Group since its formal launch.
The Group has advised a wide range of clients – both investors and companies – including BidScript Limited, Carbonfit, Cartesian Capital, CCI Photonics Limited, Cordovan Capital Partners, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Growth Partners, Inflexion, Maven, Mercia Ventures, Nesta Partners, NorthEdge, Pastest, Praetura Ventures, Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB), Stormharvester Holdings, TDR Capital, The House of Dynamite, and YFM Equity Partners.
Notable transactions include:
- Acting for Nesta Impact Investments on its investment in Gaia Learning.
- Advising Nesta Impact Investments on its investment into Resi.
- Representing Nesta Impact Investments on its investment into DEScycle.
- Acting on two key transactions as part of Praetura Ventures' inaugural PraeSeed programme, which saw investments in seven innovative startups across the North of England.
- Advising Pastest on its minority equity investment in The Medic Life.
- Representing GMCA on the further investment in Netacea by Mercia Asset Management.
- Acting for Cordovan Capital Partners on its venture debt investment into Decom Engineering.
- Advising lead investor SNIB and co-Investor Mercia Ventures in relation to their investments in Quantum Leap Technologies (trading as Leap AI).
- Representing SNIB on its investment in Edinburgh-based biotechnology firm, Calcivis.
- Acting for SNIB on a follow-on secured convertible loan note investment in Sunamp.
- Representing SNIB on a follow-on secured convertible loan note investment in Pneumowave.
- Acting for SNIB on its investment in XLCC Limited which will support the development of XLCC's subsea cable manufacturing facility at Hunterston in North Ayrshire and on completion will deliver around 900 new jobs in the area.
- Advising Stormharvester Holdings on a Series A funding round led by YFM Partners and related secondary capital investment by Emerald Ventures.
- Representing Carbonfit on seed investments from a number of private investors over an extended period.
- Acting for The House of Dynamite on the terms of a new equity and debt investment into the company by South African headquartered firm Momentum Metropolitan Holdings.
DWF’s Venture Capital Group advises a broad range of stakeholders across the venture and growth capital ecosystem – including equity and debt funds, angel investors, corporate VC arms, high-growth companies, accelerators, incubators, and funding platforms – providing end-to-end support throughout the investment lifecycle.
With 84 lawyers across 10 offices, DWF has the largest Venture Capital team of any UK law firm. The Group acts for many of the industry’s most high-profile investors and innovative companies driving financial and technological progress on a global scale.
Dhruv Chhatralia BEM, head of the DWF Venture Capital Group, commented: “We are delighted to have acted on so many notable transactions in our first full financial year. Advising on 39 transactions across nine sectors is a testament to the trust our clients place in us and the depth of expertise across our team. From early-stage investments to complex growth capital deals, we’ve supported some of the most innovative companies and forward-thinking investors in the market. We remain committed to driving value and impact across the venture ecosystem.”
Frank Shephard, DWF Global Head of Corporate, said: “We are incredibly proud of what the DWF Venture Capital Group has achieved in its first full financial year. This milestone reflects the strength of our relationships across the venture capital ecosystem and the confidence our clients place in us to deliver commercially astute, sector-savvy advice. Our team’s ability to navigate complex transactions and support high-growth businesses is what sets us apart. From seed rounds to strategic exits, our work this year showcases the breadth of our capabilities and the ambition of our clients. We’re proud to support the future of innovation and investment in the UK and beyond.”
