7percent Ventures Research
Investment Thesis
7percent Ventures is a deeptech-focused venture fund founded by ex-founders and operators with a mission to back the most determined founders solving the world's biggest problems. The fund's name derives from Paul Graham's observation that a good early-stage growth rate is 5-7% per week—emphasizing their focus on exponential, category-defining companies rather than incremental improvements.
The core investment thesis centers on moonshots—transformative technologies and products that in ten years people will wonder how the world ever lived without. Rather than iterating existing markets, 7percent explicitly seeks 200x winners and multi-billion-dollar, step-change opportunities. They frame their investment perspective through a geopolitical lens of free-world resilience, tying deeptech innovation to Western strategic competition and emphasizing technologies critical to civilization's future.
Fund History and Structure
7percent operates two primary investment vehicles: Fund 1 (founder capital, SPVs) and Fund 2 (Enterprise Capital Fund backed by British Business Bank). Since inception, 7percent has invested in 150+ portfolio companies with 240+ founders, who collectively raised $2.3 billion in follow-on capital.
Investment Strategy: Four Themes
7percent organizes its thesis across four primary themes: (1) Future Compute—quantum computing and next-generation compute architectures; (2) Defense & Dual-Use—aerospace, defense, and strategic technologies supporting national security; (3) Smart Planet—robotics, climate tech, advanced materials, and circular economy solutions; (4) Humantech—AR/VR, human-computer interfaces, and consumer applications improving human capability and wellbeing.
All investments frame through a free-world resilience lens, prioritizing Western technological independence and competition with China.
Team & Leadership
Andrew J Scott (Founding Partner) is a serial founder since 1998 with 10 years of investing experience. Dylan Bourguignon (Partner) is an Aeronautical Engineer and SO-SURE founder/operator. Sir Grant Shapps (Partner Advisor) brings decades of government, defense, and infrastructure experience as former Secretary of State for Defence. Jose Bonchristiano (Partner Advisor) is a McKinsey and Goldman Sachs veteran who founded and took public Tempo SA. Harry Morgan (Investor) has worked with 100+ startups as founder, editor, engineer, and fundraiser.
The extended network includes 40+ 7EVN advisors, the ICE List community (co-founded), and ALLOCATE/DragonChasers networks.
Investment Stage & Check Size
Primary stage focus is Seed (first institutional investors), with secondary focus on Pre-Seed for exceptional founders and selective Series A follow-ons. Typical check size ranges from $250,000 to $2,000,000. The fund makes first checks into pre-consensus deeptech opportunities, positioning before Series A competition.
Investment Decision Process
The fund employs partnership-driven evaluation with all GPs assessing opportunities together. Timeline is typically 2-4 weeks for seed decisions with faster turnaround for strong founder fits. The fund commits to blunt feedback within five working days—direct assessment even on rejections. Investment approach includes founder conversation, technical deep-dive, market sizing, reference calls, and partnership consensus.
Portfolio Companies & Track Record
7percent has backed 150+ companies with $2.3 billion collectively raised in follow-on capital. Notable exits include Oculus VR (AR/VR pioneers, acquired by Meta). Active portfolio highlights include Universal Quantum (million-qubit quantum computers), MAGdrive (spacecraft propulsion), Space-DOTS (in-orbit testing), Cambridge Aerospace, Beyond Aero, Nu-Quantum, Remedy Robotics, and Volta-XR.
Founder Preferences
7percent backs determined founders with uncommon insights solving the world's biggest problems. Key preferences include deep domain expertise (physics, engineering, materials science), determination to tackle multi-billion-dollar problems, non-consensus views differing from mainstream VC, proven execution capability (prototypes, early validation), and moonshot ambition toward transformative change rather than incremental improvements.
Geographic Focus
Headquarters in London, UK with primary investment focus on UK and Europe, secondary focus on US West Coast and East Coast. Partners and advisors bring 10+ years of transatlantic operating experience.
Recent Activity
Fund II is actively deploying with 4 new investments in the last 12 months as of September 2025. Recent investments span quantum computing, aerospace, defense, robotics, and climate technology sectors.
Support Beyond Capital
The fund provides operational guidance from partner founder experience, access to 40+ 7EVN advisor network for expertise and introductions, portfolio peer network of 200+ founders, government and institutional relationships (especially defense/aerospace), and academic and research institution connections.
Summary
7percent Ventures is a deeptech-focused, ex-founder-led seed stage venture fund with deep expertise in quantum computing, aerospace/defense, robotics, and climate technology. The partnership combines technical depth, operational experience, government connections, and strong transatlantic networks to support moonshot founders building category-defining companies. With 150+ portfolio companies, $2.3 billion in follow-on capital raised, and notable exits including Oculus VR, 7percent demonstrates consistent ability to identify and support breakthrough deeptech companies.