Private Equity: Venture Capital Investment | UK

Latham & Watkins maintains a market-leading buyouts practice that is routinely seen handling high-end, cross-border transactions for a host of well-known private equity houses. It offers significant expertise in complementary practice areas, with top-tier strength in financing and high-yield bonds. The department counts upon an extensive international network to provide an integrated practice in global M&A. It also boasts further private equity expertise in technology venture capital investments.

Osborne Clarke is prominent in mid-market transactions, often advising on deals in the financial services, real estate, digital business and energy sectors. It is also highly adept in venture capital matters, acting for investee companies and investors on financing work and equity matters. The firm's offices in London and Bristol are complemented by others in Europe and the US.

Taylor Wessing maintains a commanding position at the forefront of the venture capital market, calling upon a deep talent pool with a wealth of experience in the area. It advises the full spectrum of clients including start-ups, well-known technology companies and institutional investors on early-stage investments, financing rounds and exits. The department routinely engages in private equity transactions that are often cross-border and complex in nature. Its domestic offering is complemented by a network of offices across Europe and Silicon Valley to assist with international deals.

CMS is particularly strong on transactions involving clients from the energy, healthcare and TMT sectors. It maintains a strong international footprint and is considered the first port of call for many on Central and Eastern European deals. The group is regularly engaged for its strength in venture capital and growth investment work, where it acts for a number of specialist investors and start-ups operating in IP-intensive industries, including life sciences and technology.

Covington & Burling is the preferred choice for many when it comes to life sciences deals, drawing from a pool of regulatory and industry experts to advise on growth investment transactions. The group's wider sector expertise also covers technology and cleantech. It regularly works with investors and emerging companies on venture financings as well as advising on post-investment management operations. Covington & Burling is well positioned to handle cross-border investments involving US and European entities.

Marriott Harrison enjoys a strong reputation for its investor-side practice, including representing a number of high-profile technology-focused venture capital funds. Its deep expertise spans sectors such as media, retail and healthcare. The firm is also experienced in acting for investee companies, start-ups and management teams. Marriott Harrison's domestic capabilities are complemented by its experience of representing US funds and European entities.

Bristows boasts an impressive venture capital practice that is proficient at advising both investor and investee companies on transactions in this space. The firm is particularly adept at advising on venture capital investments in the life sciences and technology sectors. The team also maintains expertise advising universities and research institutions on spinouts.

Renowned for its global capability, Dentons houses a well-resourced venture capital offering that is able to support emerging companies, venture capital funds and corporate venture capital funders. The team routinely handles Series A-C investments along with later stage investments comprising of Series D and beyond. While active across a variety of industry sectors, Dentons is particularly active in the energy transition space.

Harbottle & Lewis's core strengths reside in the media and technology sectors, and it is able to advise growth companies and entrepreneurial businesses. The department provides services on the full life cycle of a company, including SEIS investments and venture capital investments. It is noted for its capability in complementary practice areas, such as IP. The department also acts for investor clients, including venture capital funds, family offices and super angels.

Mills & Reeve is experienced in acting on behalf of a broad spectrum of clientele that includes institutional funds, technology companies and business angels. It is routinely engaged in venture capital investments, portfolio management and fund structuring, with further niche expertise in university spinout work. The department is active on life sciences deals in addition to having deep knowledge of technology investments. Mills & Reeve also offers corporate and commercial support to growth company clients.

Mishcon de Reya offers a strong platform for funders and growth companies in early-stage investment work, drawing from a talented group of practitioners with expertise in both corporate and related commercial practice areas. The group also demonstrates excellent capabilities in university and research organisation spinout work. Its sector-specific experience covers technology and life sciences.

Operating out of offices in London and Cambridge, Withers is a well-respected member of the UK venture capital ecosystem. Its team handles company-side and investor-side mandates from seed to later-stage investments. While the department supports companies in a range of sectors, it has particular expertise in advising agritech and foodtech businesses.