Northern Gritstone

Northern Gritstone is a Manchester-headquartered deep tech and life sciences venture capital firm, active since May 2022, focused on IP-rich science and technology companies originating from or based in the North of England. It holds preferred investor relationships with the four 'Northern Arc' universities — Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, and Liverpool — and also backs early-stage companies in the region outside the university spinout ecosystem. The firm targets companies from pre-seed through to later growth stages, seeking to be a long-term partner. As of April 2026, it has made 50 investments and holds £382 million in permanent capital commitments, with shareholders including the British Business Bank, Northern LGPS pension funds, Aviva, and the founding universities. Alongside capital, Northern Gritstone offers NG Innovation Services — a venture-building toolkit covering talent management, growth advice, business services, and an accelerator programme (NG Studios). The firm is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.