SFC Capital: Founder, Company History, Investments and Growth in 2026
A closer look at the British venture capital firm, its founder Stephen Page, startup funding model, investment portfolio, and growth across the United Kingdom.
Last Updated on November 2, 2026 by Business Blog Media Editorial Team
SFC Capital is a UK-based venture capital firm. It helps early-stage startups secure investment.
The company started in 2012. Its founder is British entrepreneur Stephen Page, who previously worked in the software industry.
At first, the business was called Startup Funding Club. It later became SFC Capital as its investment operations grew.
Today, the firm supports businesses across several industries. These include financial technology, healthcare, software, and clean energy.
The numbers tell an interesting story.
By July 2026, SFC reported more than 600 portfolio companies and over £180 million under management.
But how did the company reach this point? Here is what its history and public records show.
SFC Capital Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company Name | SFC Capital |
| Former Name | Startup Funding Club |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Stephen Page |
| CEO | Stephen Page |
| Industry | Venture Capital |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Registered Company | SFC Capital Ltd |
| Company Number | 08191242 |
| Incorporation Date | 24 August 2012 |
| Company Status | Active |
| Main Focus | Early-stage UK startup investments |
| Investment Schemes | SEIS and EIS |
| Portfolio Size | More than 600 companies, reported July 2026 |
| Assets Under Management | Over £180 million, reported July 2026 |
| Official Website | sfccapital.com |
What Is SFC Capital?
SFC Capital is an early-stage investment business. It provides funding to new UK companies.
Many startups struggle to raise money. Banks may hesitate to lend. Traditional investors can prefer established businesses.
That creates a funding gap.
SFC works with businesses at an earlier stage. It invests money in exchange for equity, which represents ownership in the business.
The firm combines different funding sources.
These include managed investment funds, private angel investors, and other investment partners.
Its work continues after an investment. The team supports portfolio companies with fundraising and business development.
The main idea is simple.
Back promising businesses early. Then give them room to grow.
Still, startup investing carries serious risks. Some companies grow successfully, while others fail.
Who Founded SFC Capital?
Stephen Page founded SFC Capital in 2012.
He had already spent years building businesses. His career began in accountancy before he moved into software.
He founded and developed technology companies, including DataEase and Sapphire.
His businesses grew substantially. Some were later sold.
That experience influenced his next business move.
Page understood the difficulty of raising money for young companies. He had seen the problem from an entrepreneur’s position.
So he started Startup Funding Club.
The original idea was to connect promising founders with people willing to invest in new businesses.
Page remains the company’s Chief Executive Officer.
His work includes business direction and investment strategy.
SFC Capital History and Early Years
The company’s story began in 2012.
That same year, the UK introduced the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, commonly called SEIS.
The scheme offered tax incentives for qualifying investments in eligible young businesses.
It created new opportunities for early-stage investors.
Startup Funding Club began as an angel investment network. It connected private investors with businesses seeking capital.
The first investments followed in 2012.
In 2014, the company launched its first seed investment fund.
That was an important change.
Instead of depending entirely on individual investment decisions, the business could offer investors a managed fund structure.
Growth continued over the following years.
In 2017, it launched the SFC Angel Fund, its first seed fund fully managed by the firm.
The business adopted the SFC Capital name in September 2020.
By then, it had already built a substantial UK startup investment portfolio.
How Does SFC Capital Work?
The company mainly uses equity investment.
That means providing capital in return for shares in a business.
It normally looks at startups during their early funding rounds.
According to its published startup criteria, its typical initial investment ranges from £100,000 to £300,000.
The firm says this often represents an ownership stake of around 10% to 20%.
These figures describe its general approach. Individual deals may differ.
SEIS Investment Funds
SEIS stands for Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme.
It supports qualifying investments in young UK companies.
Under UK tax rules, eligible investors can receive income tax relief of up to 50%, depending on their circumstances.
SFC’s SEIS funds usually spread investments across several startups.
Its investor FAQ describes a typical portfolio of around 15 companies.
This spreads exposure across different businesses. It does not remove the risk of losing money.
EIS Investment Funds
EIS means Enterprise Investment Scheme.
It supports investment in eligible growing businesses.
Qualifying investors may receive income tax relief of up to 30%, subject to the relevant rules.
SFC uses its EIS funds for follow-on investments in selected portfolio companies.
These businesses have generally moved beyond their earliest funding stage.
Its published approach focuses on companies showing commercial progress.
Angel Investment Network
SFC works with private angel investors.
These investors can put money into individual startup opportunities.
The company helps connect eligible investors with businesses seeking finance.
This gives founders access to investors who may have relevant business experience.
It also gives investors direct exposure to specific companies.
SFC Capital Investment Portfolio
SFC invests in different business sectors.
Its portfolio includes software companies, consumer businesses, healthcare startups, and financial technology firms.
Some businesses have grown considerably. Others remain at an earlier development stage.
A few portfolio names stand out.
Onfido
Onfido developed identity verification technology.
Its software helped organisations verify customer identities through digital systems.
The business later became a recognised name in identity verification.
SFC records Onfido as a full exit in its investment portfolio.
Cognism
Cognism provides B2B sales intelligence software.
Its platform helps companies find business contacts and sales opportunities.
SFC backed Cognism during its earlier growth period.
The firm’s portfolio identifies the investment as a partial exit.
Ryft
Ryft operates in financial technology.
Its payment systems help marketplaces and merchants manage payments and payouts.
SFC invested in the company and later reported a partial secondary exit.
Free Soul
Free Soul is a consumer nutrition brand.
It offers products aimed at women’s nutrition needs.
The business appears in SFC’s portfolio and has been associated with a reported partial investment exit.
These examples show the company’s investment range.
Its portfolio is not limited to one type of startup.
SFC Capital Growth and Funding in 2026
The firm’s investment activity has increased over time.
According to SFC’s December 2025 review, it made 106 company investments during that year.
The same review reported more than £25 million deployed across its investment funds and British Business Bank funding arrangements.
It also said 65% of those 2025 investments were outside London.
A further update arrived in July 2026.
SFC announced an additional £10 million commitment from the British Business Bank through the Regional Angels Programme.
That raised the total programme commitment to £35 million.
Previous commitments had helped finance more than 260 early-stage businesses.
The additional capital was expected to support approximately 100 more companies.
At the time of the July announcement, SFC reported more than 600 portfolio companies and over £180 million under management.
These figures describe investment scale.
They do not represent the company’s net profit or market valuation.
SFC Capital Leadership Team
Stephen Page leads the company as CEO.
He works with investment professionals and business specialists.
The official leadership information identifies several senior team members.
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Stephen Page | Chief Executive Officer |
| Angelika Burawska | Chief Operating Officer |
| Joseph Zipfel | Chief Investment Officer |
| Jason Druker | Chief Commercial Officer |
| Marguerite Crossfield | Chief Compliance Officer, SFC Capital Partners |
| Ed Prior | Head of Investor Services |
| Edward Stevenson | Principal |
| Adam Beveridge | Principal |
| Yuriy Yurchuk | Head of Due Diligence |
| Michael Theodosiou | Portfolio Manager |
Each role covers a different part of the business.
The investment team reviews opportunities. Compliance staff handle regulatory requirements.
Investor services staff manage investor relationships and communications.
Together, these functions support the firm’s funding operations.
Who Owns SFC Capital?
SFC Capital Ltd is a private limited company registered in England.
Companies House records show a change in its significant-control information during 2026.
Sapphire Group Limited was notified as a person with significant control from 18 March 2026.
Its reported control covers more than 25%, but no more than 50%, of the company’s shares and voting rights.
Stephen Roy Page ceased to be listed as a person with significant control of SFC Capital Ltd on that date.
This does not mean he stopped being CEO.
He continues to appear as a director, and SFC’s official website identifies him as its chief executive.
Is SFC Capital Regulated?
SFC Capital operates within the UK’s financial regulatory system.
There is an important company distinction.
SFC Capital Ltd is an appointed representative of SFC Capital Partners Ltd.
SFC Capital Partners Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Its FCA firm reference number is 736284.
The firms have related business operations but separate legal identities.
Anyone considering an investment should check the relevant firm, legal documents, fees, and regulatory status before making a decision.
SFC Capital Awards and Recognition
The company has received several investment industry awards.
In 2016, it won the UK Business Angels Association’s Lead Syndicate of the Year award.
A year later, it received the Best Angel Syndicate award at the Growth Investor Awards.
Further recognition followed.
The firm won the EISA Impact Award in 2023 and the SEIS Fund of the Year award at the 2024 SeedLegals Awards.
In 2026, the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association named SFC Capital Best SEIS Investment Manager.
It was also highly commended in the Best EIS Investment Manager category.
These awards recognise the firm’s work in early-stage investment.
They do not guarantee future returns.
Can Startups Apply for SFC Capital Funding?
SFC accepts applications from eligible early-stage businesses.
Its published criteria focus on companies based in the UK.
Applicants should be able to show progress beyond a basic business idea.
Customer interest, early sales, or product development may help demonstrate that progress.
The company also considers SEIS eligibility.
Founders can apply through its official website.
SFC then reviews the information provided.
Suitable businesses may move into further discussions and investment checks.
Not every application receives funding.
The firm makes investment decisions after reviewing the business opportunity and its potential risks.
SFC Capital Investment Risks
Startup funding can produce strong returns. It can also produce heavy losses.
Early-stage companies face many challenges.
Some struggle to find customers. Others run out of money before reaching profitability.
Investors may also find it difficult to sell their shares.
Their capital can remain tied up for years.
SEIS and EIS tax relief may reduce certain investment costs for eligible investors.
But tax benefits do not guarantee a positive financial return.
Investment results depend on the underlying businesses and the terms of each investment.
Independent financial advice may be appropriate before making a commitment.
What Is SFC Capital’s Net Worth?
There is no verified public company valuation available from the records reviewed for this article.
The firm’s reported assets under management exceeded £180 million in July 2026.
That number should not be treated as its net worth.
Assets under management describe investment assets overseen by the firm.
Company valuation, revenue, profit, and shareholder wealth are different financial measures.
Without reliable valuation evidence, giving a specific net worth figure would be misleading.
Final Thought
SFC Capital has come a long way.
It started as an angel investment network in 2012. Today, it manages investments across hundreds of UK startups.
Stephen Page remains an important part of its history and leadership.
Its approach is built around early investment, managed funds, and continued support for growing businesses.
The July 2026 figures show its scale.
More than 600 portfolio companies. Over £180 million under management.
Those are substantial numbers for an early-stage investment firm.
Still, investment activity alone cannot prove financial success.
The real results depend on how portfolio businesses perform and whether investors can eventually realise returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is SFC Capital?
SFC Capital is a British venture capital firm. It invests in early-stage UK startups through managed funds and angel investment arrangements.
2. Who founded SFC Capital?
Stephen Page founded the business in 2012. He remains its Chief Executive Officer.
3. What was SFC Capital previously called?
The company was originally named Startup Funding Club. It changed its registered name to SFC Capital Ltd in September 2020.
4. Where is SFC Capital based?
SFC has an office in London. Its registered company address is in Northwich, Cheshire, England.
5. How many companies has SFC Capital invested in?
The company reported more than 600 portfolio businesses in July 2026.
6. How much money does SFC Capital manage?
SFC reported over £180 million in assets under management in July 2026. This is not the same as its company valuation.
7. What companies has SFC Capital funded?
Its published portfolio includes Onfido, Cognism, Ryft, Free Soul, and many other British startups.
8. Is SFC Capital regulated by the FCA?
SFC Capital Ltd is an appointed representative of SFC Capital Partners Ltd. The latter is FCA-authorised and regulated under reference number 736284.




