Helping to build deep technology companies from scratch
Europe’s leading pre-seed investment programme
Encore is a cornerstone investor in EF’s £8.5m fund.
EF was founded in 2011 to support technically talented graduates to build world-class start-ups in London. It is the only investment programme in the world to accept candidates pre-team and pre-idea with individuals selected purely on the basis of their technical ability or domain expertise. Many entrepreneurs in EF’s programme are pre-selected while still at university – in fact one in three computer scientists from Cambridge University now apply to join EF!
Encore's investment will help them scale its proven pre-team, pre-idea model and allow it to continue investing in the best talent in Europe and beyond.
EF run intensive full time six month programmes providing successful applicants £17K in pre-seed funding, office space, legal and administrative support, as well as mentoring and advice from the EF team and some of the UK’s top entrepreneurs, so that each cohort has the best possible environment to meet potential co-founders and launch their startups.
The programme has so far helped 160 people to build 37 companies, raising over $40m of new capital at a valuation in excess of $150m. Success stories include AdBrain (recently raised $9 million), Pi-Top, Permutive, Tractable, Blaze, Code Kingdoms and Magic Pony Technology to name but a few.
Current portfolio:
Exited portfolio:
Teaching children Life Skills through the Performing Arts
Results driven digital marketing provider operating a ‘software as a service’ (SaaS) model
International online retailer for road cycle parts, accessories and clothing
Market leading vehicle preparation services for the motor trade
Data centre and critical environment contamination prevention and maintenance specialists
Distributor of designer radiators and towel rails
Inspection and preventative maintenance technology for the energy sector
Investments made and supported by Encore partners whilst at previous firms:
Operator of high-quality integrated healthcare facilities specialising in the provision of MRI, CT, nuclear medicine and other diagnostic imaging services
UK's most comprehensive property sales and lettings website
UK’s second largest single price point retailer, with over 250 stores nationwide and 2 million customers every week
One of the world's largest sportswear brands and manufacturing companies
Operator of 52 individually branded, premium bars and venues based primarily in London
One of the longest standing and most successful web based hotel sites in the UK, featuring over 118,000 properties from all over the world
UK company offering catered chalets, self-catered apartments, hotels and lodges in ski resorts worldwide
UK's leading family ski holidays specialist with a huge range of childcare and family ski chalets throughout europe
Leading accommodation-only supplier, offering travel agents and tour operators exclusive access to quality hotels and resorts around the world
SaaS provider of automated contact and resolution services to consumer credit and risk management companies helping them to manage risk and fight fraud
Conveyancing search provider of choice to deliver fast, trusted property searches, including Local Authority, LLC and CON29
Specialist technical recruitment and human resource provider
Leading independent provider of power protection product and service solutions
“Encore continues to add real value to our business. They contribute both strategically and operationally and provide a wealth of support to our management team. “
Ian Mahoney
Chairman – Third Space
“Encore has been a fantastic partner over the past five years and helped professionalise our business among other improvements. They have always been approachable and straightforward without being overly casual. I describe them as professional with a human touch.”
Keith Churchill
Managing Director – Forward Valeting