SFC Capital, the UK's most active early-stage investor, has made its 500th portfolio company investment, marking a significant milestone in its mission to support ambitious entrepreneurs and drive innovation across the UK.

Founded in 2012 as the "Startup Funding Club" angel network, SFC Capital was an early adopter of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), establishing one of the first SEIS funds. This pioneering approach laid the groundwork for over a decade of success in early-stage investment.

Lupa, the AI-native veterinary practice management platform, has closed a $4M seed from top investors including firstminute capital, 2100 Ventures and Vento by Exor Ventures. Other investors include top McKinsey, BCG, JP Morgan, Nexi, and NovaCapital angels. Lupa will use the new funding to accelerate product development and commercial expansion.

Atelerix, a Newcastle University spinout that is transforming the way that biosamples essential for drug discovery and pharmaceutical research are stored and transported, has raised £750k, with participation from ACF Investors and biotech specialist investors o2h Ventures, bringing the year's total funding to £1.25m. The investment will be used to drive the company's branding and sales efforts and drive widespread adoption of its technology, positioning Atelerix's range of hydrogels as the preferred shipping method for biosamples.

Web security company Almanax has secured $1 million investment which will enable the company to accelerate its growth.

This funding round brings onboard a distinguished group of investors, including Blockchain Builders Fund, Exor Ventures, Vento Ventures, Italian Angels for Growth (IAG), Eden Ventures by IAG, Moonbase, and several strategic angels. Almanax has closed $1.5 million to date and hired key talents from firms like Fireblocks, Circle, Mastercard, and institutions like MIT.

Kodesage, a pioneering startup specializing in AI-powered solutions for legacy software modernization, has raised €2.3 million in pre-seed funding led by PortfoLion Capital Partners, and with participation from prominent angel investors, including former UiPath executives.

LifeArc Ventures, which invests in innovative early-stage life science companies as part of LifeArc, has announced significant progress in 2024, with three new investments, several follow-on investments, and scientific advances by a number of its portfolio companies.

The Royal College of Art (RCA) and Infinity Asset Management LLP have invested, through its RCA Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund, in PulpaTronics.

TalentMapper, a London-based company whose platform helps identify and develop the skills within an organisation, has raised £2m from Mercia Ventures and Haatch.

Despite being launched just 18 months ago, TalentMapper has already attracted major clients including Dunelm, Danone and Mountain Warehouse and achieved annual recurring revenue of over £700,000. The funding will enable the company to enhance the platform, expand its team and continue its rapid growth.

British Business Investments has provided an initial £20m funding facility to Sprk Capital Limited. The facility will provide capital to smaller businesses in the UK engaged in innovation.

Oxford Capital and Fuel Ventures have co-led a $1 million pre-seed funding round in Egregious, a pioneering company developing advanced technologies to defend humans from AI misuse.

4T2 Sensors, a Birmingham-based company developing real-time fluid analysis technology, has secured £800k in seed funding. The round was led by the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund (WMCO), managed by Midven (part of Future Planet Capital), alongside Waterpoint Lane and a group of angel investors.

Unum has announced the completion of an over-subscribed funding round, backed by existing shareholders, including ACF Investors and Origin Capital Partners.