7percent Ventures

Everyone talks about red flags. But after hundreds of deep tech conversations, here’s what we’ve learned: green flags matter more. Here’s what gets our attention: ✅ Founders who are obsessed with the problem, not just the pitch ✅ Technical depth — and the clarity to explain it simply ✅ Commercial curiosity, even if it’s early ✅ High rate of execution (not speed for its own sake, but velocity with intention) ✅ Grit. Not performative hustle, but true resilience Some of our best investments came from people who weren’t polished — but they were relentless, insightful, and hard to shake. Early-stage investing is a bet on character as much as code. — Backing deep tech requires conviction, not consensus. I share insights on my journey building 7percent Ventures - backing the most determined founders solving the world’s most challenging problems. Follow me, Andrew J Scott for more and share if you liked this post.

Introducing: Hyper Links 🔗 The next time you receive a reminder for your hospital appointment, it’ll have a link to show you where to go. HyperAR.com/hyperlinks

Europe and the UK appear to have been galvanised into action by recent American policy changes, as the USA becomes a more unpredictable ally. But I wonder whether we fully grasp the importance of having sovereign capability over some of the next generation technology now coming to market. AI, quantum computing, access to space: these are all critical areas for countries which wish to maintain independence, power and presence on the world stage. We can compete with the US in many areas but to do so requires the will, the money and the leadership, which has been lacking, probably since the deregulation of the financial markets in the 1980’s. My erstwhile friends Dan Bowyer, Lomax Ward, Mads Jensen and I discussed this in a recent episode of Upside. The full episode can be found in the comments section. - Backing deep tech requires conviction, not consensus. I share insights on my journey building 7percent Ventures - backing the most determined founders solving the world’s most challenging problems. Follow me, Andrew J Scott for more and share if you liked this post.

I’m happy to see that the UK and Europe are no longer sitting on their laurels when it comes to defence tech and technological resilience.  I am proud to run a fund that contributes to our lead in these areas, but it’s really the founders that deserve the recognition. My hat off to: Anmol, Bryon, Jeffrey, John, and a host of others in our portfolio! And here is a snapshot of what’s going on with defence tech investing 👇 Backing deep tech requires conviction, not consensus. I share insights on my journey building 7percent Ventures - backing the most determined founders solving the world’s most challenging problems. Follow me, Andrew J Scott for more and share if you liked this post.

With AI, or indeed anything that is going to play a fundamental role in shaping society, we shouldn’t just try to copy America. We, the VC’s and the startups, need to think more strategically about the frontier we’re headed toward. We’re just at the start of the artificial intelligence revolution! This and other great topics - including a fun segment on our broken food system led by Lomax - with Dan, Mads and myself on the Upside podcast. Full episode in the comments section. Backing deep tech requires conviction, not consensus. I share insights on my journey building 7percent Ventures - backing the most determined founders solving the world’s most challenging problems. Follow me, Andrew J Scott for more and share if you liked this post.

‼️BREAKING: 7percent Ventures Achieves Quantum Supremacy in VC‼️ We’re launching Quantum Pre-Seed Investment (QPSI)—funding startups before they exist. Our star portfolio pick, SchrödingerAI, is simultaneously worth nothing and everything, depending on where you measure it. Expect infinite returns in at least one universe. LPs, fear not: bad outcomes collapse elsewhere, leaving your IRR spotless here. Founders, congrats: we’ve already invested, even if your startup hasn’t materialised yet. Just don’t peek at the wavefunction—you’ll spoil the magic.

Watch the BBC News segment on Skyfly Technologies Ltd featuring Aerovolt that was broadcast earlier this evening. Michael Thompson Guy Haydon Alan Kingsley-Dobson #electricaviation #innovation #technology #aviation #netzero #jetzero

Proof that Plotbox is now a highly polished, feature complete, enterprise ready piece of software that is _the_ default solution in this space. Huge congrats to Sean McAllister, Leona McAllister, and the rest of the team!

There is huge arbitrage in backing founders from disadvantaged backgrounds. Of the UK startups that successfully raise pre-seed funding, only 25% have a founder that comes from a disadvantaged background. At Series-C, this figure rises to 50%. These founders are key for the UK to build more scaleable businesses. Without a prebuilt network, these founders have to break through huge systemic barriers. This builds an incredible resilience, which is key to boosting their odds of success. At Social Mobility Ventures, we're running our inaugural pitch event - connecting state-school or immigrant founders at Pre-seed or Seed stage, with leading investors in the UK (Lakestar, Octopus Ventures, Ananda Impact Ventures, Nauta, 7percent Ventures). 📅 When: April 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM 🌍 Where: LocalGlobe HQ, London Limited spaces available – register now to secure your spot! Please share with any state school founders in your network. Let’s break down the VC barrier together! Event link in the comments.

For too long, we’ve talked about Europe in deficit terms. Too slow. Too cautious. Not ambitious enough. But the tide is shifting: ✅ We have some of the most technically gifted founders in the world. ✅ Our capital markets are waking up to their value. ✅ Global investors are looking at Europe with fresh eyes. It’s not perfect, but let’s stop pretending Europe isn’t a contender. The pieces are in place for something big.