Top cybersecurity investors funding UK startups in 2026

4 June 2026·10 min read

London cybersecurity companies raised $281M across 18 rounds in 2025 alone - a 376% rise from 2024. These 14 active VCs are writing checks for UK security startups in 2026.

London has 857 active cybersecurity companies and 273 that have raised funding. The sector has $5.26B in aggregate VC and PE backing as of 2026.

AI-native security, identity and access management, and supply chain defense are attracting the most capital. Pure compliance tooling without a real threat model closes less often.

What gets funded: startups with a clear wedge, enterprise traction, and a team with security credentials. Concept-stage decks without customer letters rarely move past first calls.

Set up an Ellty data room with your threat model, customer evidence, and cap table before outreach. London cybersecurity VCs ask for these before second meetings.

TypeCheck sizeSector focusWebsite
AccelSeed to growth$5M-$50M+AI security, cloud security, identity, DevSecOpsaccel.com
Bessemer Venture PartnersSeed to growth$5M-$100M+Cloud security, identity, endpoint, enterprisebvp.com
Notion CapitalSeed to Series B$1M-$20MCybersecurity SaaS, fraud prevention, compliancenotioncapital.com
IQ CapitalSeed to Series B£500K-£10MCybersecurity, confidential computing, deeptechiqcapital.vc
Sequoia CapitalSeed to growth$5M-$100M+Cloud security, identity, AI-native securitysequoiacap.com
Index VenturesSeed to growth$5M-$50M+Cybersecurity, enterprise software, fintechindexventures.com
AtomicoSeries A to growth$5M-$50M+Enterprise security, deep tech, fintechatomico.com
Balderton CapitalSeries A to growth$5M-$50M+Enterprise security, deep tech, SaaSbalderton.com
Molten VenturesSeed to Series B£2M-£15MSecurity, fintech, enterprise SaaSmoltenventures.com
LocalGlobePre-seed to seed£200K-£2MCybersecurity SaaS, developer tools, enterpriselocalglobe.vc
SeedcampPre-seed to seed£100K-£1MSecurity SaaS, developer tools, AIseedcamp.com
Octopus VenturesSeed to Series B£1M-£10M+Cybersecurity, deep tech, enterpriseoctopusventures.com
Amadeus Capital PartnersSeed to Series B£1M-£15MCybersecurity, quantum security, deep techamadeuscapital.com
LakestarSeries A to growth€5M-€50M+Enterprise security, fintech, deep techlakestar.com

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What is a London cybersecurity investor?

A London cybersecurity investor backs companies building tools for threat detection, identity, data protection, or AI-native security operations. They range from pre-seed specialist funds to global growth investors writing $100M+ checks.

Top investors like Accel and Bessemer have dedicated cybersecurity partners who read threat models natively. They check customer retention and net revenue retention before evaluating team slides.

Check sizes run from £100K at Seedcamp to $100M+ at Bessemer. Most seed cybersecurity rounds in London land between $2M and $10M.

London's cybersecurity output includes Snyk, Callsign, and Miracl. Compare London AI investors and London fintech investors to understand how technical diligence shifts across enterprise software sectors.

857
Active cybersecurity companies in London
London has 857 active cybersecurity companies, 273 of which have raised funding
$281M
London cybersecurity raised in 2025 through Nov
$281M raised in 18 rounds in 2025, a 376% rise from the same period in 2024
$120M
Accel-backed depthfirst raised across Series A and B
Accel led depthfirst's $40M Series A in Jan 2026, followed by $80M Series B
$130M
Notion Capital Growth Opportunities III fund close
Notion Capital closed $130M growth fund in Sep 2025, targeting AI security scaleups
The cybersecurity founders raising in 2026 have a clear wedge, enterprise design partners, and proof that their detection engine outperforms the existing tool they're replacing.
Philippe Botteri, Partner, Accel, London, 2026

14 top London cybersecurity investors

1. Accel

Accel is the most active cybersecurity investor in London by deal count. They led depthfirst's $40M Series A in January 2026 and backed the $80M Series B follow-on in April 2026. Their portfolio includes Snyk, CrowdStrike, 1Password, Cyera, and Netskope.

  • Recent Deals: depthfirst $40M Series A lead (Jan 2026); depthfirst $80M Series B participation (Apr 2026); Seezo Seed (Oct 2025); 147 investments in 2025; 54 in early 2026
  • LinkedIn: Accel LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: AI security, cloud security, identity and access management, DevSecOps
  • Stage Focus: Seed to growth
  • Location: London and San Francisco
  • Website: accel.com

2. Bessemer Venture Partners

Bessemer has backed 43+ cybersecurity companies with 9 cybersecurity IPOs. Their London office leads UK and European security investments. They backed Astrix before its acquisition by Cisco in May 2026 and maintain an active cybersecurity roadmap updated in real time.

  • Recent Deals: Astrix acquisition by Cisco (May 2026); Eye Security portfolio; 102 investments in 2025; 46 investments in early 2026; dedicated cybersecurity partner Talia Goldberg
  • LinkedIn: Bessemer LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Cloud security, identity, endpoint protection, enterprise security
  • Stage Focus: Seed to growth
  • Location: London and Menlo Park
  • Website: bvp.com

3. Notion Capital

Notion Capital backed Aikido when it raised a $60M Series B at unicorn valuation in January 2026, led by DST Global. They also backed Resistant AI's €21M funding round in October 2025. Their $130M Growth Opportunities III fund closed in September 2025.

  • Recent Deals: Aikido $60M Series B backer (Jan 2026); Resistant AI €21M (Oct 2025); Dex $5.3M seed lead (2026); $130M Growth Opportunities III close (Sep 2025)
  • LinkedIn: Notion Capital LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Cybersecurity SaaS, fraud prevention, AI-driven compliance
  • Stage Focus: Seed to Series B
  • Location: London, UK
  • Website: notioncapital.com

4. IQ Capital

IQ Capital is a deep tech VC based in London and Cambridge with £1B+ AUM. Their cybersecurity partner Archie has led CybSafe's $28M Series B and Cybersmart's $15M Series B, plus early-stage encryption and confidential computing bets.

  • Recent Deals: Nu Quantum $60M Series A (Dec 2025); Gravis Robotics $23M (Nov 2025); CybSafe Series B; Cybersmart Series B; £400M fourth fund deployed
  • LinkedIn: IQ Capital LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Cybersecurity, confidential computing, deeptech, quantum
  • Stage Focus: Seed to Series B
  • Location: London and Cambridge, UK
  • Website: iqcapital.vc

5. Sequoia Capital

Sequoia has a London office and backs AI-native security from seed through growth. They invested in Dune Security's $6M Series A in January 2025. Their Scout program also seeds early-stage cybersecurity startups at $1M-$5M.

  • Recent Deals: Dune Security $6M Series A (Jan 2025); Vigilance Security $5M Scout seed; Wiz, Zafran, HiddenLayer portfolio; $950M new funds raised (2026)
  • LinkedIn: Sequoia Capital LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Cloud security, identity, AI-native threat detection, enterprise security
  • Stage Focus: Seed to growth
  • Location: London and Menlo Park
  • Website: sequoiacap.com

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6. Index Ventures

Index Ventures is a London-headquartered multi-stage VC with deep enterprise roots. They back cybersecurity companies from seed through growth alongside fintech and deep tech. London-based RevEng raised $15M in a Series A in May 2026, with Index-connected investors involved.

  • Recent Deals: Active enterprise security portfolio; London headquarters; seed to growth mandate; multi-stage cybersecurity investment strategy; European market expertise
  • LinkedIn: Index Ventures LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Cybersecurity, enterprise software, fintech, consumer
  • Stage Focus: Seed to growth
  • Location: London and San Francisco
  • Website: indexventures.com

7. Atomico

Atomico is a London-based multi-stage European VC writing $5M-$50M+ into enterprise and deep tech companies. Founded by Skype's Niklas Zennstrom, they have a $1.24B fund actively deploying in cybersecurity alongside AI and climate tech.

  • Recent Deals: Active enterprise security and deep tech portfolio; $1.24B latest fund; European mandate; Series A to growth stage; 2025-2026 active deployment
  • LinkedIn: Atomico LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Enterprise security, deep tech, fintech, B2B SaaS
  • Stage Focus: Series A to growth
  • Location: London, UK
  • Website: atomico.com

8. Balderton Capital

Balderton Capital backs early and growth stage European founders across cybersecurity and enterprise software. They have 25+ years in the market and their London team leads UK deals. In 2025 they made 22 investments and in early 2026 another 14.

  • Recent Deals: 22 investments in 2025; 14 investments in early 2026; active enterprise security portfolio; Series A to growth mandate; 25+ years London market presence
  • LinkedIn: Balderton Capital LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Enterprise security, deep tech, fintech, SaaS
  • Stage Focus: Series A to growth
  • Location: London, UK
  • Website: balderton.com

9. Molten Ventures

Molten Ventures is a London-listed VC trust investing in cybersecurity and enterprise software. They back Vaultree in encryption and maintain an active UK security portfolio. Their VCT structure allows UK founders to access EIS and VCT-eligible investments.

  • Recent Deals: Vaultree encryption portfolio company; Modo Energy £25M (Dec 2025); Hilo $42M Series B (Jan 2026); 117 total portfolio companies; 6 new investments in last 12 months
  • LinkedIn: Molten Ventures LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Cybersecurity, fintech, enterprise SaaS, climate tech
  • Stage Focus: Seed to Series B
  • Location: London, UK
  • Website: moltenventures.com

10. LocalGlobe

LocalGlobe writes first checks into pre-seed and seed cybersecurity founders in London. They made 25 investments in 2025 and focus on founding teams with deep technical backgrounds in security, identity, and developer tooling.

  • Recent Deals: 25 investments in 2025; active London pre-seed to seed portfolio; developer tools and enterprise security focus; 2025-2026 active
  • LinkedIn: LocalGlobe LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Cybersecurity SaaS, developer tools, enterprise software
  • Stage Focus: Pre-seed to seed
  • Location: London, UK
  • Website: localglobe.vc

11. Seedcamp

Seedcamp has 492 portfolio companies and backs security SaaS and developer tooling at first-check stage. They run application cycles and have backed multiple UK cybersecurity companies at pre-seed and seed stages.

  • Recent Deals: Active security SaaS and developer tools portfolio; 492 portfolio companies; pre-seed to seed focus; 2025-2026 active UK deployment
  • LinkedIn: Seedcamp LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Security SaaS, developer tools, AI, enterprise software
  • Stage Focus: Pre-seed to seed
  • Location: London, UK
  • Website: seedcamp.com

12. Octopus Ventures

Octopus Ventures backs deep tech and enterprise founders from seed to Series B. They write £1M-£10M+ first checks and have an active UK security and enterprise portfolio. Octopus made 18 investments in 2025 and 6 in early 2026.

  • Recent Deals: 18 investments in 2025; 6 investments in early 2026; active enterprise and security portfolio; deep tech and UK market focus; seed to Series B mandate
  • LinkedIn: Octopus Ventures LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Cybersecurity, deep tech, enterprise, consumer
  • Stage Focus: Seed to Series B
  • Location: London, UK
  • Website: octopusventures.com

13. Amadeus Capital Partners

Amadeus Capital Partners backs quantum security and cybersecurity deeptech from their London HQ. They invested in Sitehop's £7.5M round for quantum-safe encryption in 2025. Their £110M Amadeus V Technology Fund targets early-stage European tech.

  • Recent Deals: Sitehop £7.5M quantum encryption round (2025); £110M Amadeus V Technology Fund; £80M Amadeus APEX Fund; 190+ portfolio companies; cybersecurity and quantum focus
  • LinkedIn: Amadeus Capital Partners LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Cybersecurity, quantum security, deep tech, AI, digital health
  • Stage Focus: Seed to Series B
  • Location: London and Cambridge, UK
  • Website: amadeuscapital.com

14. Lakestar

Lakestar is a pan-European multi-stage VC with a London office backing enterprise security and fintech companies. They raised a €265M continuation fund in 2025 and made 8 investments in early 2026. Their portfolio includes Blockchain.com, Revolut, and Helsing (defense tech).

  • Recent Deals: €265M continuation fund (2025); 8 investments in early 2026; 17 investments in 2025; Helsing defense tech backer; active enterprise security portfolio
  • LinkedIn: Lakestar LinkedIn
  • Sector Focus: Enterprise security, fintech, deep tech, defense tech
  • Stage Focus: Series A to growth
  • Location: London, Zurich, Berlin, New York
  • Website: lakestar.com

How to get a warm intro to London cybersecurity VCs

Infosecurity Europe runs every June in London and is where most cybersecurity VCs show up in person. A portfolio founder introduction beats a cold email by a wide margin.

Accel and Bessemer both publish updated cybersecurity investment theses publicly. Read those before reaching out - they show exactly what signals each partner looks for before taking a first call.

Read how to prepare for due diligence before any intro. Have your threat model, SOC 2 status, and customer retention data in an Ellty data room before emailing anyone.

What cybersecurity VCs read before your pitch

London cybersecurity investors want customer evidence before almost anything else. A design partner letter or LOI gets a second meeting; a concept deck without traction rarely does.

The second filter is net revenue retention. Investors want to see 120%+ NRR showing that customers expand usage. Churn above 15% is a hard stop at most London security funds.

The third is the AI differentiation story. Funds backing AI-native security want to see how your detection engine outperforms point solutions. Use Ellty to share technical benchmarks with trackable links before any first call.

How to verify a cybersecurity fund is still writing checks

Check the fund's last investment date on Crunchbase. A security VC that hasn't deployed in six months may be between vintages or running down an older fund.

Ask for the specific partner covering your segment - identity, cloud, endpoint, or AI security are all different mandates. Reaching the wrong partner wastes weeks.

Dead portfolio companies without pivots are a flag. A fund that backed compliance SaaS in 2021-2022 without follow-on may have shifted thesis. Compare London SaaS investors for context on how enterprise diligence differs by sector.

How to pitch a London cybersecurity investor

Four steps for cybersecurity fundraising in London in 2026. Each step reflects how security VCs screen deals.

  1. 1.
    Lead with customer evidence, not a threat overview
    Show design partner letters or active contracts first. Investors gate on traction before the pitch deck.
  2. 2.
    Show your NRR and how customers expand usage
    120%+ NRR signals product-market fit. Prepare cohort data before any first meeting.
  3. 3.
    Explain your AI differentiation in one sentence
    Investors want to know how you outperform the tool you replace. Prepare a benchmark comparison.
  4. 4.
    Put everything in one trackable data room
    Upload threat model and customer data to Ellty. Send trackable links to know who reviews what.

How Ellty helps you land a London cybersecurity investor

You have the list. Now prepare your materials. Security VCs ask for customer data and technical docs fast.

  1. 1.
    Upload threat models and customer contracts
    Put technical docs and evidence in one room. Investors check these before the team slide.
    Upload file in data room
  2. 2.
    Lock access to your cap table and IP docs
    Require email before view access. Use screenshot protection on sensitive legal documents.
    Set permissions data room
  3. 3.
    Track which investors open your traction data
    See if VCs spend time on customer retention or skip to the financials. Follow up accordingly.
    Analytics data room
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Common questions from London cybersecurity founders

What traction do London cybersecurity VCs need at seed stage?
Most want at least one design partner letter or paid pilot. A concept without customer evidence is a fast pass.
Should I target specialist security VCs or generalist London funds?
Specialists like Accel and Bessemer if you are Series A. Generalists work well for pre-seed and seed rounds.
Do I need SOC 2 certification to raise from London cybersecurity investors?
Not required at seed, but enterprise design partners expect it by Series A. Start the process early.
When should I set up a data room for a cybersecurity raise?
Before first outreach. Put your threat model and customer contracts in an Ellty room before emailing.
What kills cybersecurity pitches fastest with London VCs in 2026?
No customer evidence and weak NRR. Investors pass fast on compliance tooling without real retention data.
How many cybersecurity investors should I approach in London?
Target eight to ten funds at your stage and sector. Track who opens your data room and follow up first.

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