Sprout, a London-based investment platform aiming to support “underserved” private investors, has raised $1m (£800,000) in a funding round shared exclusively with UKTN.
Launched in 2021, Sprout aims to “bridge the gap” between VC firms and individual investors that are keen to back startups, but “priced out” by minimum requirements.
Sprout works with VC firms and gives people access to its network of funds. Users can make investments from £5,000 and track their portfolios on the Sprout platform.
“We’ve witnessed the appetite for long-term, higher upside investment classes like venture capital, and have experienced first-hand the high minimum investments and requirement to have extensive industry knowledge,” said Jonny Blausten, co-founder and CEO of Sprout.
“We’re helping underserved investors access high-performing VC funds, as they rightfully should.”
The startup currently has partnerships with VC funds including Speedinvest, Episode 1, Hambro Perks, and Leadblock Partners.
“Sprout is solving an important challenge for both private investors and the venture capital industry,” said Oliver Holle, CEO and managing partner at Speedinvest.
“It is an important and timely offering. We strongly support Sprout’s mission to provide access to funds like Speedinvest for private investors who have not previously been able to invest in the asset class.”
The pre-seed funding, provided by a selection of family offices and angel investors, will go towards scaling the Spout platform.