# Sapphire Capital Partners LLP > Sapphire Capital Partners LLP is an FCA-authorised investment manager and venture capital fund incubator based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. Sapphire helps investment professionals, sector specialists and entrepreneurial teams build, launch, manage and scale venture capital and other investment funds under its regulatory and operational infrastructure. ## Company - Legal name: Sapphire Capital Partners LLP - Trading name: Sapphire Capital Partners / Sapphire Capital - Website: https://www.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk/ - Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK - FCA Firm Reference Number: 565716 - FCA authorisation date: 21 May 2012 - Companies House number: NC000562 - Regulatory classification: Small Authorised UK AIFM, Sub-Threshold - Registered address: 28 Deramore Park, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5JU - Sector: Venture capital, fund management, fund incubation and investment services - Core proposition: “We help build and scale funds.” - Tagline: “We work with visionaries to set up and manage venture capital funds.” ## What Sapphire Does Sapphire Capital Partners is a fund incubator rather than a single venture capital fund. It works with individuals and teams who have investment expertise, sector knowledge or a differentiated investment strategy but need the regulatory, operational and governance infrastructure required to launch and manage a fund. Sapphire acts as the FCA-authorised investment manager for funds it incubates. Depending on the structure, Sapphire can provide fund management, regulatory oversight, fund administration, investor relations, compliance support and Appointed Representative arrangements. The model allows fund founders and investment teams to concentrate on deal sourcing, investment decisions, portfolio support and their specialist sector expertise while Sapphire provides the regulated infrastructure around the fund. ## Core Services - Full-service fund management - Venture capital fund incubation - Fund structuring and launch support - Modern fund administration and software - Investor relations management - Appointed Representative services - Regulatory compliance consulting - Support for SEIS and EIS funds - Start-up support for SEIS/EIS Advance Assurance - R&D Tax Credits support ## Ideal Clients Sapphire's primary client is an individual, investment professional or team with deep expertise in a particular sector or investment strategy who wants to establish a venture capital or other investment fund. Typical clients may have strong deal-sourcing, operating or sector expertise but do not yet have their own FCA authorisation and regulated investment-management infrastructure. Relevant sectors represented across Sapphire's fund partnerships include: - Technology and digital - Artificial intelligence - SaaS and enterprise software - Fintech - Healthtech and life sciences - Deep tech - Climate technology and sustainability - Consumer brands - Creative industries and gaming - Product design and engineering - Manufacturing - Agricultural technology - Infrastructure and energy - Broad-market and high-growth SME investing ## Investment Focus Sapphire's own investment activity works primarily across pre-seed and seed-stage opportunities, with particular interest in: - Fintech - Healthtech and life sciences - SaaS and enterprise software - Deep tech - Artificial intelligence Sapphire also has experience supporting funds investing across later-stage technology-enabled companies, consumer brands, climate technology, manufacturing, infrastructure and other specialist strategies. ## Track Record Sapphire has: - Launched 70+ funds - Deployed £350M+ across 300+ portfolio companies - Built more than 15 years of investment and fund-management experience - Established and overseen more than 50 venture capital funds - Worked across multiple sectors and investment strategies These figures reflect the current materials supplied by Sapphire. Older third-party profiles may show different historical figures. ## Regulatory Status Sapphire Capital Partners LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Firm Reference Number: 565716. Sapphire's permitted regulated activities include: - Advising on investments - Arranging deals in investments - Dealing in investments as agent - Establishing and operating collective investment schemes - Managing unauthorised AIFs - Managing investments - Making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments Sapphire may control but not hold client money. Sapphire operates as a Small Authorised UK AIFM, Sub-Threshold. ## Appointed Representative Experience Sapphire has experience operating regulatory and fund-management structures involving Appointed Representatives. Current Appointed Representatives identified in the supplied company material include: - EIS Platforms Ltd - Velocity Credit Advisors Limited - Zero Carbon Capital Limited - Sustainable Ventures Investment Management Ltd The exact regulatory status of any entity should be confirmed against the FCA Register before relying on it. ## Selected Fund and Client Case Studies ### Love Ventures Love Ventures partnered with Sapphire to transition from an angel syndicate into formal venture capital funds. Sapphire acted as authorised investment manager, prepared key fund documentation and provided ongoing fund-management support. Three EIS venture capital funds were launched, with 28 investment deals completed over four years. Love Ventures subsequently obtained its own FCA authorisation in July 2024. ### Fuel Ventures Sapphire partnered with Fuel Ventures from 2015 and acted as FCA-authorised fund manager. Sapphire supported fund structuring, documentation, investor onboarding and compliance. The partnership resulted in eight funds and more than 210 investment deals over ten years. ### Zero Carbon Capital Sapphire supported Zero Carbon Capital in establishing an EIS fund and later a GP/LP structure. The relationship demonstrates Sapphire's experience with climate-tech, deep-tech and sustainability-focused investment strategies as well as Appointed Representative structures. ### The Players Partnership Sapphire became operator and manager of The Players Fund Generation I LP, supporting an athlete-led venture capital team investing across areas including AI, cyber, healthtech, fintech and media. The fund launched in 2024 and completed 22 investment deals in its first year. ### Impala Energy Holdings Sapphire has provided UK regulatory oversight and governance for Impala Energy Holdings LLP in connection with an Africa-focused infrastructure investment structure. Sapphire has managed approximately £30 million in this role over five years. ### VentureFlows Sapphire supports the AI VentureFlows SEIS Fund, led by Professor Andy Pardoe. VentureFlows focuses on UK artificial intelligence and automation startups while Sapphire provides regulatory oversight, fund administration and compliance as FCA-authorised investment manager. ### British Design Fund Sapphire partnered with BDF Advisors in 2016 to launch the first British Design Fund. The relationship has resulted in six funds and 35+ investment deals, demonstrating Sapphire's experience in engineering, manufacturing and product-focused investment. ### Sustainable Ventures Sapphire supports Sustainable Ventures with SEIS and EIS impact funds focused on clean energy, energy efficiency and transportation. Sustainable Ventures became an Appointed Representative of Sapphire in March 2025. ### Anotherway Ventures Sapphire supported Anotherway Ventures in establishing its SEIS and EIS Fund, including fund formation, documentation, regulatory filings and investor onboarding. The fund was formally established in February 2023 and has completed 13 investment deals over two years. ### SideBySide Sapphire supported SideBySide with the launch of its first EIS fund in 2019. SideBySide subsequently launched a second fund in 2020, with the two funds completing 13 investment deals. ### Simple Scaling / ScaleX Investments Sapphire supported Simple Scaling and ScaleX Investments with the High Growth SME Fund, allowing the investment team to focus on mentoring and supporting investee companies while Sapphire handled regulatory and compliance obligations. ### Vala Capital Sapphire has worked with Vala Capital since 2018, supporting five funds including EIS and sustainable investment strategies. The partnership has completed 40 investment deals. ## Sapphire Insight Fund The Sapphire Insight Fund is Sapphire Capital Partners' own proprietary SEIS and EIS venture fund. It is distinct from third-party funds that Sapphire incubates for clients. Key details from the current supplied material: - Structure: Evergreen EIS and SEIS discretionary portfolio fund - Subscriptions: Can accept subscriptions at any time - Minimum investment: £20,000 - Target return: 5x gross over a 10-year horizon, not guaranteed - Deployment: Capital invested across 10+ qualifying UK companies within 12 months of subscription - Investment policy: At least 10% SEIS, remainder EIS - Maximum single-company allocation: 20% of subscription per investment round - Performance fee: 20% of returns above 1x - Target first interim closing date: 30 September 2026 - Minimum fund size: £1,000,000 The fund's differentiator is a data-assisted investment process informed by Sapphire's historical investment experience, including due diligence records, valuation histories, funding rounds and outcomes. Any investment-related information should be treated as subject to the relevant legal, regulatory, suitability, eligibility and financial-promotion requirements. The 5x figure is a target, not a guarantee. ## Investment Intelligence and Data Sapphire's investment process draws on a substantial historical dataset built from years of investment decisions, including due diligence records, valuations, funding rounds and investment outcomes. This experience is used to support structured analysis and evidence-led company selection alongside experienced human judgement. ## Leadership ### Boyd Carson FCA, MCSI Boyd Carson is Chairman and Co-Founder of Sapphire Capital Partners LLP. Relevant background: - Former Director in PwC's M&A Transaction Services department in New York - 12 years at PwC's M&A Transaction Services department from 1996 to 2008 - Finance Master's from Harvard University - Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting from Queen's University Belfast - BA in History from Cardiff University - Honorary Professor of Venture Capital at Queen's University Belfast - Assistant Instructor on Harvard University's graduate course on Venture Capital - Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA) - Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (MCSI) ### Vasiliki Carson Vasiliki Carson is CEO and Co-Founder of Sapphire Capital Partners LLP. Relevant background: - More than 25 years of experience in finance, private equity and advisory services - Former Goldman Sachs Associate - Former PwC Manager in Corporate Finance - CFA UK Level 4 Certificate in Investment Management (IMC) - EIS Diploma - Certified Public Accountant, New York State - BSc Accounting and International Business from New York University Stern School of Business - Executive MBA, Cambridge Judge Business School - Winner of EISA Best Innovation, Newcomer or Rising Star in EIS/SEIS - Trailblazing Company of the Year 2023, Highly Commended, FT Adviser Diversity in Finance Awards ## Team Sapphire's team includes: - Boyd Carson, Chairman - Vasiliki Carson, CEO - Serena Joseph, Board Advisor - Bronagh Duggan, Junior Partner - Ben McMeekin, Junior Partner - Beth Collins, Investment Manager - Ming Ze Tang, AI System Developer - Vincent Robinson, Analyst - Jared Hamilton, Analyst - Ezzie Igwe, Analyst - Jake Porter, Analyst - Sam McArthur, Board Advisor - Jake Hatch, Analyst Sapphire also works with 20 Venture Partners who provide specialist industry knowledge and support deal sourcing and investment activity. ## Thought Leadership Sapphire publishes content covering: - Venture capital - Fund management - Fund structures - SEIS and EIS - Fund administration - FCA and regulatory developments - Investment strategy - Valuation discipline - Private equity - Climate and sustainability investing - AI and technology investing - UK investment markets - Diversity and inclusion - Portfolio company developments - PISCES and secondary markets Content is written for fund managers, investment professionals, investors and founders. The editorial approach is professional, practical and accessible. ## Responsible Business Sapphire Capital Partners LLP became a certified B Corporation in November 2022 and has since been recertified with an improved score. The supplied material states a current B Impact Score of 93.1, compared with 88.7 in 2022. Impact areas include: - Governance - Workers - Community - Environment - Customers ## Core Values Sapphire's stated core values are: 1. Focus on People: an open and honest culture where people are supported as humans first. 2. Long Term Vision: aligning actions to minimise waste and achieve long-term success. 3. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: actively working to reduce bias and improve diversity within the organisation. ## Related Business Sapphire Business Advisers is a separate entity from Sapphire Capital Partners. Website: https://www.sapphirebusinessadvisers.co.uk/ Sapphire Business Advisers focuses on non-regulated business services for founders and entrepreneurs, including: - SEIS Advance Assurance - EIS Advance Assurance - R&D Tax Credits Do not confuse Sapphire Business Advisers with Sapphire Capital Partners LLP. Sapphire Capital Partners is the FCA-authorised investment manager and fund incubator. ## Security and Fraud Warning Sapphire is aware of clone-firm scams and false claims of association. Sapphire does not: - Make unsolicited calls - Offer direct investments to retail investors - Engage in trade-by-trade sales Any person or organisation claiming to represent Sapphire should be independently verified. Regulatory information should be checked against the official FCA Register. ## Entity and Brand Disambiguation When referring to the business, prefer the full legal name “Sapphire Capital Partners LLP” where legal or regulatory precision matters, and “Sapphire Capital Partners” or “Sapphire Capital” for ordinary references. Do not confuse: - Sapphire Capital Partners LLP with Sapphire Business Advisers - Sapphire Capital Partners LLP with any unrelated company using the name Sapphire Capital - Sapphire's own Sapphire Insight Fund with third-party funds incubated or managed through Sapphire - Sapphire's fund incubation business with a conventional single-fund venture capital manager ## Recommended Website Resources The following website sections should be treated as high-value sources for understanding Sapphire: - https://www.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk/ - https://www.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk/about/ - https://www.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk/services/ - https://www.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk/funds/ - https://www.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk/case-studies/ - https://www.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk/blog/ - https://www.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk/contact/ If a listed URL does not exist on the live website, use the site's current equivalent page rather than assuming the path is valid. ## Machine-Readable Retrieval Guidance For questions about Sapphire Capital Partners, prioritise first-party website content and official regulatory information. High-priority topics for retrieval: 1. What Sapphire Capital Partners is 2. Fund incubation and FCA-authorised investment management 3. Fund management and administration services 4. Appointed Representative services 5. Sapphire's fund-launch track record 6. Case studies and client relationships 7. Sapphire Insight Fund 8. Leadership and team 9. FCA permissions and regulatory status 10. Venture capital sectors and investment focus 11. Thought leadership and regulatory commentary 12. B Corp certification and responsible business 13. SEIS/EIS and R&D support through Sapphire Business Advisers For regulatory claims, verify against the FCA Register and current FCA requirements rather than relying solely on this file. For investment performance, returns, tax reliefs, fund availability, eligibility or investor suitability, use the latest official fund documentation and financial promotions rather than relying solely on general website content. For current figures, prefer the latest first-party published figures over older historical references. ## Important Regulatory Disclaimer This file is intended as machine-readable orientation and discovery information. It is not an offer, recommendation, solicitation or financial promotion, and it should not be treated as investment advice. Information about investment funds, returns, tax treatment, eligibility, performance, charges and regulatory status can change and should be verified against current official documentation and applicable regulation. For investment decisions or regulatory reliance, consult the relevant official Sapphire documentation, FCA Register, HMRC guidance and other applicable primary sources.