Powering growth with patient capital
Disruptive tech companies are attracting more capital as focus shifts to solving global challenges. There is significant untapped potential in knowledge-based ecosystems, particularly in the UK and Europe, and the scale of funding required to meet global goals is huge.
The fund targets four key sectors (see venture and strategic capital) where there is both a current UK funding gap and strong growth potential, all guided by a strong impact thesis: FinTech and InsurTech, HealthTech, Science and Technology, and Climate and Sustainability.
Why invest?
The Venture & Growth Capital Fund gives investors better access to early-stage companies, while providing them with the diversification and uncorrelated returns offered by private markets.
High return potential
The fund targets an overall return (gross of AMC, GBP) of at least 15% per annum on a rolling five-year basis.
Access and control
Indirect investments with strategic access are combined with later-stage direct investing to lower risk, reduce fees and maximise overall returns.
Benefits of a Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF)
The LTAF structure offers investors more liquidity than the traditionally fully closed-ended structures investing in venture and growth capital.
Explore fund performance and key data
Find the latest prices and performance data in our fund centre via the links below. If you have any questions, please contact our distribution team.
Aviva Investors Venture & Growth Capital Fund
The fund aims to provide capital growth targeting an overall return (gross of AMC, GBP) of at least 15% per annum on a rolling five-year basis through exposure to a diversified portfolio of direct and indirect venture capital investments across four core sectors.
Investment philosophy
Built as an evergreen Long-Term Assets Fund (LTAF), the Venture & Growth Capital Fund is structured to enable effective access to the asset class. It is actively managed and seeks to invest in a diversified portfolio of direct and indirect venture capital investments.
Driving innovation and growth
Disruptive tech companies in our four core sectors have strong growth and impact potential. They are attracting more capital as focus shifts to solving global challenges.
Targeting venture returns
Capital is allocated across multiple venture and growth stages in the targeted sectors across the UK, Europe and North America.
Societal and environmental impact
The strategy has an additional ambition to deliver societal outcomes by investing patient capital in high growth potential companies addressing specific environmental and social needs.
Broader investment thinking
Five things you need to know about LTAFs: Lessons for investors in UK private markets
In November 2021, regulatory changes were introduced in the UK to help facilitate investment into private asset classes. This article on Long-Term Asset Funds (LTAFs) captures five things defined contribution pension schemes should know about progress so far.
40 years of lending lessons: How four decades in real estate debt has shaped Aviva Investors’ approach
From navigating market crashes to embracing ESG and technology, Adrian Poole and Gregor Bamert reveal how 40 years of real estate debt investing have moulded Aviva Investors’ strategy – and what it takes to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market.
Key risks
For further information on the risks and risk profiles of our funds, please refer to the relevant KIID and Prospectus.
Investment risk: The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up and can fluctuate in response to changes in currency and exchange rates. Investors may not get back the original amount invested. Past performance is not a guide to future returns.
Market risk: VGC investments are high-risk due to their limited operating histories and unproven technologies or business models. They face market risks from rapid changes in technology, consumer preferences, competition, and regulations. They often lack robust internal controls and are not financially self-sustaining at the time of investment, requiring multiple financing rounds. While they offer potential for significant gains, they also carry a high risk of substantial losses, with no guarantee of market success. These risks are generally higher than those of more mature public companies.
Financial risk: VGC investments are prone to financial difficulties such as cash flow issues, high debt, and insufficient revenue. They often have limited access to capital and revenue streams, making them vulnerable to market shocks. Poor financial viability can lead to losses, negatively affecting performance.
Operational risk: To achieve projected revenues, VGC investments may be required to rapidly implement and improve operational, financial and management control systems, while maintaining effective cost controls. Success of growth plans depends on ability to execute business plans effectively and address scalability, production capacity, and supply chain management. Limited operating histories make it hard to predict a company's ability to sustain and grow revenues. Financial results depend on market identification, strategic alliances, R&D progress, proprietary rights protection, and competition. There's no guarantee these investments will achieve significant revenues or profitability.
Technology risk: Investing in the technology sector carries risks related to intellectual property (IP) - obtaining, enforcing, or protecting rights. Delays or challenges in patent production can hinder innovation. Loss or unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information can compromise strategic positions. High research and development costs, IT infrastructure disruptions, data breaches, and software issues can negatively affect operations and revenue.
Exit opportunities: The availability of exit opportunities, such as IPOs or M&As, depends on economic conditions, company valuations, technology perceptions, and financial markets. Realising investments may take time or require a value discount.
Valuation risk: Illiquid, private assets are inherently difficult to value due to the individual nature of each asset, and as readily assessable market values are not available. Such valuations are subject to uncertainty, subjective and have increased risk that price models may be inaccurate or subject to other error. There is no assurance that the values determined will reflect the actual sales price even where a sale occurs shortly after the valuation date.
Iliquidity risk: The intended investment universe is inherently illiquid and more difficult to realise than public investments, and the Fund should not be considered suitable for investors with a short-term investment outlook. Assets may not be readily saleable and the Fund operates limited redemption arrangements. It may not be possible to realise investments in early-stage companies within a reasonable period of time or without a discount to NAV.
ESG risk: Investing on basis of ESG factors may limit the choice of investments and performance of the Fund may be impacted (either positively or negatively).
Dealing arrangment risk: The Fund requires investors to sign up to a Subscription Agreement, committing to subscribe an amount which will only be drawn down at the discretion of the ACS Manager and Units will only be issued to the investors based on the prevailing net asset value at that point.
Redemption arrangments: Specific redemption arrangements are in place for this Fund, meaning there will be a significant time lag between instructions being accepted and processed and investors will bear the risk of any unit price movements in these periods. These arrangements may not fully reflect the time typically needed to sell, liquidate or close out the assets, and in exceptional circumstances the Fund can suspend all dealing until the exceptional circumstances have ceased.
Investment in unregulated collective investment schemes: Such schemes are generally considered higher risk than regulated schemes. There are limited if any, restrictions to how they are managed. They are also valued less frequently and there is a risk that any market movements will not be reflected in the daily price of the Fund and that investors may miss out on unrealised profits. Liquidity is not assured and cannot be relied upon to meet redemptions. Lack of liquidity may affect the value and lead to units being suspended.
This summarises some of the key risks associated with the fund, this is not exhaustive. Appropriate due diligence should be undertaken prior to making any investment decisions. Prospective investors should consult the Prospectus for full information on all risks associated with this fund.
Investment insights
Investment thinking that brings together the collective insight of Aviva Investors’ teams from across the globe on the key themes influencing markets.
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Beyond buyout: Why DB schemes are reconsidering their endgame
10 Dec 2025
Significant shifts in the defined benefit (DB) pension schemes landscape mean that as schemes mature, trustees and sponsors now face a broader spectrum of strategic choices. We explain why the choice between buyout and run-on is no longer binary.
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Multi-asset chart of the month for November
25 Nov 2025
It's not just the Magnificent Seven who have been benefitting from the AI investment boom.
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Illiquidity premia in private debt: Q3 2025
12 Nov 2025
Having crunched the data, our private markets research team looks at how evolving macro conditions are impacting private debt returns.
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Aviva Investors’ Social Value Label: Recognising achievements during construction
11 Nov 2025
The newly launched Aviva Investors’ Social Value Label recognises quality practice in the construction supply chain. It will be awarded to contractors who deliver social value when building commercial real estate.
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From niche to core: Asset-based finance emerges as a driving force as private debt markets continue to evolve
7 Oct 2025
Asset-based finance is capturing the attention of institutional investors – from pension schemes to insurers – thanks to its diverse risk-return drivers and its growing role as a strategic building block in investors’ portfolios.
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Solid foundations: The case is building for infrastructure equity
3 Oct 2025
In this article Viktor Dietrich, Research Director for infrastructure, venture capital and natural capital, revisits the case for investing in European infrastructure equity. He suggests reasons why small-to-mid-sized opportunities should feature prominently on investors’ radar.
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Multi-asset chart of the month for September
17 Sep 2025
This month’s chart looks at the Magnificent Seven group of stocks and explores whether – rather than being a bubble akin to the dotcom era – their high valuations are justified by high earnings.
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Energy-intensive industries: Unlocking low-carbon investment
16 Sep 2025
Vital industries for UK growth like steel or cement are also energy intensive, and their decarbonisation is essential. We convened a roundtable of experts to discuss barriers and solutions to unlocking low-carbon investment opportunities.
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RELI’s return: Why real estate long income (RELI) has a growing fanbase
11 Sep 2025
After falling out of favour following the 2022 UK mini-budget crisis, real estate long income is making something of a comeback. Fund managers Renos Booth and Kris McPhail explain why it is starting to attract interest from a variety of investors.
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Illiquidity premia in private debt: Q2 2025
14 Aug 2025
In our latest private markets deep dive, our research team crunches the data to see how evolving macro conditions are reflected in private debt returns.
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Building advantage: Finding a competitive edge in European high yield real estate debt
14 Jul 2025
While opportunities in European high yield real estate debt remain, growing competition underscores the need for deep market expertise, a robust underwriting framework, and disciplined deal selection to identify and capture resilient value.
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Show me the value: Investing in carbon removal, part three
11 Jul 2025
In this article, we explore the potential benefits of carbon removal strategies for institutional investors.
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MegaTRENDs: Why TRENDs matter for investing in private markets
27 Jun 2025
A set of megatrends is reshaping the world, creating new opportunities and risks for investments in private markets.
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Show me the value: Investing in carbon removal, part two
2 Jun 2025
In this article, we explore the different types of carbon credits, the development of the markets on which they are bought and sold, and how institutions can use them to achieve their investment and sustainability goals.
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Show me the value: Investing in carbon removal, part one
28 May 2025
New markets are emerging to enable institutions to invest in nature and potentially achieve sustainability-related objectives alongside key financial outcomes.
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Illiquidity premia in private debt: Q1 2025
16 May 2025
In our latest private markets deep dive, our research team crunches the data to see how evolving macro conditions are reflected in private debt returns.
House View
No one can predict the future. But our quarterly House View sets out the collective wisdom of our investment teams on the current state of global markets – and where they might be heading.
Private Markets Study 2025
In the seventh edition of the study, we collected the views of 500 institutional investors around the world. We delved into some of the key questions facing private market investors today: Why do they invest in private markets? How do they expect the asset classes to perform over the next few years? What are the biggest barriers to investing today? And how do they incorporate sustainability?
VC and strategic capital expertise
In addition to its role in Aviva Investors private markets, the Venture and Strategic Capital team also supports the Aviva Group innovation agenda and has been running the Corporate Venture Capital programme since 2015. The team's skills extend and enhance our capabilities in private markets (unlisted) assets, bringing proven ability to originate and underwrite deals.
Ben Luckett
Managing Director - Venture & Strategic Capital and Chair - Aviva Capital Partners
Ant Barker
Director of Venture Capital
Cynthia Chen
Head of Investments - Venture Capital
Tom Grant
Head of Investments - Venture Capital
Explore
Private markets
As one of Europe’s largest private markets investment managers, we have the scale to access the full depth and breadth of private markets. Find out more about our other private markets capabilities.
Venture and strategic capital
Our specialist in-house venture capital team is working to support the aims of the UK government to boost investment into high growth companies, ultimately benefitting savers and the UK economy.
Important information
THIS IS A MARKETING COMMUNICATION
Except where stated as otherwise, the source of all information is Aviva Investors. Unless stated otherwise any opinions expressed are those of Aviva Investors. They should not be viewed as indicating any guarantee of return from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as personalised advice of any nature. This document should not be taken as a recommendation or offer by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such an offer is not authorised or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time without notice and information about specific assets should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any assets. This is a high-risk investment, and assets may take a long time to buy and sell. Only invest if you can wait (possibly several years) to get your money back. You do not have protection against poor performance.
The information within this document is based on our current understanding of taxation and is not to be construed as investment, legal or tax advice. The basis and rates of tax may change in the future.
The Aviva Investors Venture & Growth Capital LTAF is a sub-fund of the Aviva Investors LTAF ACS, an umbrella co-ownership scheme comprising different sub-funds. Each sub-fund belongs to the “Long-Term Asset Fund” category as specified in Chapter 15 of the Collective Investment Schemes sourcebook and the property attributable to each such sub-fund is managed as such.
A copy of the Prospectus and the annual and interim reports are available free of charge to Unitholders and otherwise at the discretion of the Authorised Fund Manager.
Issued by Aviva Investors UK Fund Services Limited, the Authorised Fund Manager. Registered in England and Wales No. 1973412. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference No. 119310. Registered address: 80 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4AE. An Aviva company.