Emerging Venture Fund Managers
The UK’s investment management landscape is a complex ecosystem where promising talent often struggles to break through.
First-time fund managers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, face a gauntlet of systemic challenges that transform their entrepreneurial journey into an uphill battle.
The core of the problem lies in a cyclical catch-22: managers cannot attract investors without a track record yet cannot build a track record without initial investments. Regulatory hurdles compound this challenge, with FCA authorization requiring £250,000-£500,000 in compliance infrastructure—a sum that excludes 68% of smaller fund managers (SS&C, 2023). Technological gaps further complicate matters, with 71% of emerging managers still relying on manual spreadsheets and struggling to integrate sophisticated portfolio monitoring systems (The Investment Association, 2024).
These barriers stand in stark contrast to the potential these managers represent. Diverse fund management teams consistently outperform traditional models, achieving 36% higher Earnings Before Interest & Tax (EBIT) margins and generating 15% higher returns through more nuanced deal sourcing (BBB, 2023). Yet representation remains critically imbalanced—in London, Black professionals constitute only 3% of asset managers, despite representing 14% of the population (The Investment Association, 2024).
The most striking statistic reveals the depth of this disconnect: a mere 0.24% of venture capital funding between 2009 and 2019 went to Black founders (Extend Ventures, 2020). Ethnic minority fund managers face 42% longer fundraising cycles (BBB, 2023) and 23% more scrutiny during due diligence (Reboot, 2025), creating additional invisible barriers.
This is not just a story of exclusion—it's a narrative of untapped potential. Minority-led funds demonstrate remarkable agility, launching ESG and impact investment products 40% faster and bringing innovative perspectives to investment strategies (BBB, 2023).
The data does not just suggest change is possible; it proves that diversity is a competitive advantage. Therefore, our mission is to support the next generation of capital allocators and catalyse transformative investment to create more resilient and equitable systems.
LATEST PROJECT NEWS
Our Fund Manager Incubator selects 3 emerging teams every year. Each receives £50,000 in unrestricted grants and support (training, introductions, capacity) over a period of 6 months.
We are not just selecting fund managers—we seek to open doors for visionary leaders who have been systematically overlooked by traditional investment ecosystems.
These individuals are distinguished not just by technical skills, but by their deep passion for systemic change, innovative problem-solving rooted in lived experiences, and authentic commitment to supporting underrepresented communities.
By prioritising candidates with unique market insights, strong community networks, and a willingness to learn and challenge existing paradigms, we aim to transforminvestment ecosystems from within, recognising that each selected fund manager represents more than an individual opportunity, but a potential breakthrough in how capital can drive meaningful social and economic transformation.
