Business Details
20 Years
experience
Trusted Venture Capital for Scottish Startups
Established in 2006, Discovery Investment Fund operates as a venture capital firm headquartered in Broughty Ferry, Dundee. Our syndicate of self-certified, sophisticated investors specialises in supporting high-growth Scottish enterprises through strategic financial backing and industry expertise. As a Scottish Enterprise co-investment fund partner, we provide match funding opportunities while maintaining a non-sector-specific approach to evaluate proposals on merit. Our members collectively bring decades of experience across diverse industries, including professional services, oil, manufacturing, and retail.We prioritise businesses demonstrating strong growth potential, offering investment tranches typically ranging from 100,000 to 500,000. Our flexible investment model allows collaboration within external syndicates or independent operations, with a target exit strategy of five years. The fund is registered in Scotland under company number SC297769, reflecting our commitment to fostering innovation and sustainable business development across Scotland.
Services
Venture Capital Investment
Angel Investment Syndicate
Portfolio Management
Business Development Support
Strategic Advisory
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- Established in 2006 with a proven track record in venture capital
- Syndicate of experienced investors offering strategic guidance
- Non-sector-specific approach evaluating proposals on individual merit
- Scottish Enterprise co-investment fund partnership for match funding
- Flexible investment model operating independently or with syndicates
Services
Venture Capital Investment
We provide growth capital for high-potential Scottish enterprises. Our investment tranches typically range from 100,000 to 500,000, with flexible terms tailored to business needs. Our syndicate model combines financial resources with strategic industry expertise.
Angel Investment Syndicate
Pooling resources and expertise from experienced investors, we offer 'smart money' solutions. Our syndicate model enhances investment capacity while providing valuable business connections and sector-specific knowledge to portfolio companies.
Portfolio Management
We actively manage investments through regular performance monitoring and strategic guidance. Our approach combines hands-on support with flexible exit strategies, typically targeting five-year investment horizons while remaining adaptable to business requirements.
Business Development Support
Beyond financial investment, we offer strategic business development support. Our members' diverse industry experience provides portfolio companies with valuable insights, market connections, and operational expertise to accelerate growth.
Strategic Advisory
Our investors provide tailored strategic advice based on extensive business experience. This includes market positioning, operational efficiency, and exit strategy development, helping businesses maximise their growth potential and investment readiness.
People
Glenn Carnegie
Business Development Manager
Glenn Carnegie leads business development initiatives at Discovery Investment Fund. With extensive experience in venture capital and Scottish enterprise development, he manages investment opportunities and supports portfolio companies in achieving growth objectives.
Questions
What types of businesses do you invest in?
We invest in high-growth Scottish enterprises across all sectors, evaluating proposals on individual merit rather than industry-specific criteria.
What investment amounts do you typically provide?
Our typical investment tranches range from £100,000 to £500,000, with flexible funding structures tailored to each business's needs.
How does the investment process work?
The process involves submitting a business plan, investor readiness assessment, presentation to our board, due diligence, and final investment decision within 90-100 days.
Are you part of any official investment networks?
We are a Scottish Enterprise co-investment fund partner and member of LINC, the Scottish Angel Network, enhancing our investment capabilities.
What value do you add beyond funding?
Our syndicate provides 'smart money' combining financial investment with strategic guidance, industry connections, and business development expertise from experienced investors.
