top of page

FAQ

General and Strategic

Diagonal Lines

What does ‘Kappika’ mean?

Kappika is an adjective derived from the Pali word kappa, which refers to an aeon - a vast span of time or world-cycle. We chose the name to reflect our long-term ambition: to build a venture capital firm that endures across cycles, creates generational impact, and helps reshape how deep tech is funded in the UK and beyond.

White Structure
Kappika K Logo

What is Kappika’s long-term ambition?

We aim to build one of the UK’s most respected deep tech venture platforms -rooted primarily in non-digital science and engineering and designed to endure beyond a single fund cycle. Our ambition is not just returns, but a new kind of ecosystem that turns scientific ingenuity into lasting real-world impact.

Diagonal Lines

How many companies will you invest in from Fund I?

We’re targeting 15–20 high-conviction investments from Fund I (£3m proof-of- concept fund), focused on pre-seed and seed-stage UK-based startups. Our preference is low-volume, high-support deployment. We back fewer founders but go deeper in due diligence and support with each.

Corporate Meeting

Why don’t you invest in pure digital or SaaS?

We believe the most underfunded, impactful innovation lives in physical products, processes, and sciences. SaaS and digital plays are well served by existing VC infrastructure. Kappika exists to fund the founders building in atoms, not just apps.

Diagonal Lines

What is Kappika Futures and who is it for?

Kappika Futures is our insight and foresight platform — a series of founder- and LP-
focused reports mapping the landscape of UK deep tech sectors, policy, investment
gaps, and commercial signals.

White Structure
Kappika K Logo

What is the K-Club community?

K-Club is our emerging founder and funder community:

  •  Heroes – Our portfolio founders

  •  Angels – Our syndicate and co-investors

  •  Titans – Our LPs and long-term allies

It’s about connection, community, and ambition — not just networking.

Diagonal Lines

Does Kappika host any events or demo days?

We don’t run public demo days (yet), but we host:

  • Founder roundtables and workshops

  • LP briefings

  • Private deep tech sessions with ecosystem partners

Corporate Meeting

Can I interview or feature someone from Kappika?

Yes — we are happy to participate in podcasts, deep tech media, policy briefings,
and academic-industry panels.

Diagonal Lines

Are you open to partnerships with other investors or institutions?

Yes. We regularly co-invest and collaborate with angels, LPs, policy groups, family offices, and ecosystem builders.

White Structure

Do you accept cold pitch decks?

Right now, as a solo VC this just isn’t feasible without wasting founder’s time. We
accept referrals from trusted partners and reach out to Founders working in areas of
interest. We prioritise trusted referrals to respect both our time and yours, but we do
read cold outreach that clearly aligns.

For Limited Partners

Diagonal Lines

What is Kappika’s investment thesis?

We back UK founders developing physical products, processes, and sciences — with deep tech and applied biotech at the core. Think sectors aligned with UK industrial strategy, such as synthetic biology, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy systems. If you’re building the physical future, we’re one of the few non- digital deep tech VCs in the UK built specifically to support you. 

How is Kappika different from other early-stage VCs?

We are non-digital by design. We write low-volume, high-support cheques. We’re deeply embedded in the UK innovation ecosystem — not just a cheque-writing VC, but an ecosystem builder.

What is your background and experience?

Paul Tranter, founder of Kappika, has:

  • Raised £200m+ over 25 years

  • Run a £20m pan-European innovation business

  • Led deep collaborations across government, corporates, and academia

What is the Kappika fund model?

Fund I (closed): £3m proof-of-concept LLP structure
Fund II (planned): >£20m regulated fund (2026), institutional LP focus
Typical cheque size: £50k–£150k at pre-seed/seed

Why are you focused on the UK?

The UK has the science and talent — but not the capital with conviction. Kappika
was built to fill that gap.

Do you invest in biotech as well?

Yes — where biotech meets systems, engineering, or platform biology (e.g. Quest
Meat, Deep Blue Biotech). We typically don’t fund pure therapeutics.

Do you co-invest with angels or public funds?

Yes — regularly, and we help founders design hybrid rounds (equity + grant).

How do you source deals?

  •  Universities and RTOs

  •  Partner VCs

  •  Kappika Futures

  •  Founder and ecosystem referrals (Venture Partners)

  •  Outreach

How do you measure fund performance?

  • IRR, TVPI, DPI

  • Technical and strategic milestones

  • Ecosystem and systemic value

How do you support sustainable founder equity?

  • Early ESOP guidance

  • Smart capital staging

  • Avoid unnecessary dilution

  • Share carry with key ecosystem partners

How does Kappika think about impact?

Impact is baked into our thesis - through the founders we back, the sectors we
support, and the long-term ecosystem we are building.

Can I request access to the Kappika LP data room?

Yes! Email us or use the contact form.

For Founders

White Structure

What types of companies does Kappika invest in?

Startups building physical products, processes, or sciences — including diagnostics, advanced materials, bio-manufacturing, robotics, and engineered biology.

What stage do you invest at?

We back EIS/SEIS-qualifying companies at the pre-seed and seed stage, typically raising £250k–£1.5m. While we frequently invest alongside EIS/SEIS investors, Kappika’s capital itself is not EIS/SEIS money — so it doesn’t consume any of your available EIS/SEIS allocation within a round.

Do you invest outside the UK?

No — we only invest in UK-domiciled companies.

What is your typical cheque size?

£100k–£150k per investment.

Do you lead rounds, or co-invest?

We typically co-invest. Occasionally we will lead smaller rounds.

How long does your investment process take?

4–9 weeks depending on materials and stage. We aim to make decisions within 4–9
weeks, depending on readiness of materials and co-investor alignment.

Do you help with non-dilutive funding like grants?

Yes, extensively. We co-structure hybrid equity + grant rounds.

Do you invest via equity, notes, or other structures?

All of the above. We will help you choose what fits.

What support do you offer post-investment?

Kappika is a founder-first venture capital firm, we offer:

  • Strategy + capital stack

  • Grant help

  • Investor intros

  • Templates + governance tools

  • Founder community

  • S&T partners

Do you offer ESOP or founder liquidity guidance?

Yes, we help founders future-proof their equity position.

Do you invest in university spinouts or academic IP?

Yes. But spinout terms must be founder-friendly and commercially realistic.

How do I get in touch or pitch to Kappika?

Via warm intro is best, or the contact form/email on our website. Cold outreach is
welcome if aligned.

What types of pitches are you not likely to fund?

  • Pure SaaS

  • Non-UK companies

  • Uncommitted teams

  • "Innovation theatre"...startups with flashy pitches but no roadmap, evidence, or substance.

Can I reapply if we are not ready yet?

Yes — and we encourage it. Timing matters, and we’re happy to stay in touch.

bottom of page