About us

Our social mission

We believe in backing entrepreneurs to make a difference. All our funds combine financial and social/environmental goals. All our activities are governed by our Ethical charter and our Responsible investment policy.

Our approach

At Bridges Ventures, we are committed to working with ambitious entrepreneurs to help build great businesses with long-term value.

We try to bring the best of venture capital to the businesses in which we invest. We are active investors, providing support and advice to the companies we back including helping build effective boards.

Our people

Our founders, directors and investors are leaders in private equity, financial services, business and entrepreneurship. They provide valuable expertise and a huge network of contacts for Bridges Ventures. This in turn helps us work with our investments to give them the best chance to flourish.

Our funds

Bridges Ventures currently has two venture funds under management. Launched in 2002, Bridges Community Development Venture (CDV) Fund I totalled £40m. It invests in ambitious businesses in the most deprived parts of England and aims to create role models of entrepreneurship, jobs and economic dynamism. Bridges CDV Fund I has invested in businesses ranging from start-ups through to small management buy-outs and property-backed ventures.

In 2007, Bridges Ventures finished raising its second fund, Bridges CDV Fund II. This is a £75m fund. Similar to Fund I, it invests in the most deprived parts of the UK. It also invests in businesses located outside those areas but bringing strong social/ environmental benefits in sectors such as healthcare, education and the environment.

In 2008, we launched the Bridges Social Entrepreneurs Fund, an initiative of the Bridges Charitable Trust, to address the funding gap often faced by fast growing social enterprises looking to scale. £8.5m has been raised so far from The Office of the Third Sector and a mix of leading financial institutions, individuals and foundations. Bridges Ventures will use the skills and experience gained from our other funds to help the social enterprises we back to reach their full potential.

In November 2009, the Bridges Sustainable Property Fund was launched with a first close of £26m. The Fund will invest in properties in regeneration areas and environmentally sustainable buildings that have potential to make strong financial returns as well as delivering social and environmental impact.

Key milestones

October 2000
The Social Investment Task Force proposes five key recommendations to harness new capital, talents and skills to address economic regeneration to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. One is the idea for community development venture funds in the UK like those in the US.

May 2002
Bridges Ventures was founded by Apax Partners, 3i and Tom Singh of New Look and raised its first community development venture fund (CDV Fund I) in the same year with investments from both government and private sectors.

October 2003
Won Investor Allstars Award for New Venture Capital Fund of the Year.

June 2005
First exit - Harlands of Hull. 84% IRR achieved, over 50 jobs saved in the most deprived 1% of wards in England.

August 2006
Second exit - SimplySwitch. 165% IRR achieved.

June 2007
Finished raising second fund, CDV Fund II. £75m raised from private sector investors, beating the target of £50m by 50%.

December 2007
Won Fundraising of the Year Award at the 2007 Unquote Private Equity Awards.

January 2008
Advisory Board established.

May 2008
Won the British Venture Capital Association/Real Deals Private Equity Award 2008 for Fund of the Year.

November 2008
Bridges Social Entrepreneurs Fund launched.

January 2009
Won the Social Investor of the Year Award at the 2008 European Venture Capital Journal Awards.

November 2009
Bridges Sustainable Property Fund launched