Zinc2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
London venture builder and investor for UK science-for-impact startups in health and environment. Pre-seed investment up to £250,000, pitches reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Up to $325K
- Funding
- Not published
- Equity
- Support across the first 2 years
- Program length
- Rolling
- Applications
About Zinc
Zinc is a London venture builder and early-stage investor that backs science-based companies tackling health and environmental problems. It launched in 2017, co-founded by Ella Goldner, Paul Kirby and Saul Klein, who also co-founded the seed fund LocalGlobe. Zinc first worked through missions, recruiting cohorts of up to 70 people to build new companies around one social problem, such as adding healthy years to later life.
Its current positioning is Science-for-Impact: turning research into UK deep tech companies. Through its pre-seed route, Zinc offers an initial investment of up to £250,000 and hands-on venture building support for the first two years of a company. Pitch decks are assessed on a rolling basis.
In September 2026 the British Business Bank agreed to commit up to £46 million to Zinc's new Science-for-Impact Fund, which targets £70 million and plans to build a portfolio of 80 deep tech companies. This is Zinc's second institutional fund after Zinc II in 2022, which had a £28 million first close. Recent portfolio companies named in coverage include SignaCor, which develops heart disease therapeutics, Epiome, an AI biomarker platform for neurodegenerative diseases, Spine, a battery asset management system, and CellMine, which recycles lithium-ion batteries.
Zinc also runs Visiting Fellows and an executive coaching network.
What Zinc looks for
Zinc backs entrepreneurs starting Science-for-Impact ventures in the UK, with a focus on health and the environment. Its pre-seed page lists three signals: a strong founding team that still needs key additional members, a strong IP, science or technology foundation, and conviction in a market opportunity whose commercial proposition still needs validation. That makes Zinc a fit for research-led teams that are early, technical and not yet commercially proven.
How the Zinc program works
Zinc's pre-seed route combines money with a Venture Building Platform. Zinc describes the support as human, intellectual, social and financial capital. In practice that means help filling key gaps in the founding team, access to Visiting Fellows and executive coaches, guidance on validating the commercial proposition and connections to follow-on investors.
Support covers roughly the first two years of a new venture. Earlier Zinc missions ran as cohort-based venture builders, with up to 70 people sharing one mission and a structured programme followed by investment in the companies formed. Zinc has also run talent schemes such as Innovation Placements for Ageing Well with the Vivensa Foundation, where participants joined mission-driven ventures.
The new Science-for-Impact Fund will back about 80 companies, with priorities in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, life sciences, engineering biology and AI.
How to apply to Zinc
- 1Check that your company is UK-based and works on a health or environmental problem with a science or technology base.
- 2Prepare a pitch deck that covers your founding team, the IP or science behind the product and the market opportunity.
- 3Submit the deck through the Pre-Seed Investment page on zinc.vc.
- 4Expect review on a rolling basis rather than against a fixed deadline.
- 5If Zinc proceeds, discuss the investment terms and the team gaps it can help fill.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
Notable Zinc alumni
Companies that went through or were backed by Zinc.
Zinc vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc | Up to $325K | Not published | London | Rolling admissions |
| Seedcamp | Up to $1.3M | Varies | London, UK | Rolling admissions |
| Antler | Up to $500K | Varies | 30 locations including New York, San Francisco, Austin, London, Singapore, Sydney | Rolling admissions |
| Entrepreneurs First | Up to $250K | 8% | London, Bangalore, San Francisco | November 2, 2026 (6 days left) |
| Techstars London | $220K | 5% | London | November 18, 2026 (22 days left) |
| Techstars | $220K | 5% | Boston, Chicago, New York City, London, Baltimore, Los Angeles | November 18, 2026 (22 days left) |
Zinc FAQ
When is the Zinc application deadline?+
Zinc reviews applications on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time.
How much does Zinc invest?+
Zinc's pre-seed page offers an initial investment of up to £250,000, combined with venture building support for the first two years. Equity terms are not published. Zinc's new Science-for-Impact Fund targets £70 million and plans to back about 80 deep tech companies, with up to £46 million committed by the British Business Bank in September 2026.
Who founded Zinc?+
Zinc launched in London in 2017. It was co-founded by Ella Goldner, Paul Kirby and Saul Klein. Klein is also a co-founder of LocalGlobe, the London seed fund. Ella Goldner is co-founder and Managing Partner and led the announcement of the British Business Bank commitment in 2026.
What kind of startups does Zinc back?+
Zinc backs UK science-based startups working on health or environmental problems. Recent portfolio companies include SignaCor in heart disease therapeutics, Epiome in AI biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, Speek in digital care for teenage self-harm, Spine in battery asset management and CellMine in lithium-ion battery recycling.
Sources: zinc.vc, zinc.vc, tech.eu, techcrunch.com, british-business-bank.co.uk, dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk