Skip to content
You can now search across every topic, entity and event.What's new
Odyssey Ventures
OrganisationGB

Odyssey Ventures

Transatlantic pre-seed and seed fund bridging UK founders to US capital.

Last refreshed: 31 July 2026

Key Question

Why is the British state funding a route for UK founders to US capital?

Background

The British Business Bank committed £10m to Odyssey Ventures on 23 July 2026 via its Regional Angels Programme .

Odyssey Ventures, also known as Odyssey Discovery I, is a $50m transatlantic pre-seed and seed fund run from London and San Francisco by co-founders Ali Mitchell, formerly of EQT Ventures and a co-founder of Huddle, and Michelle Robson, formerly of AP Ventures. The fund's pitch is to give UK founders American capital, customers and operating support before better-capitalised US competitors take the market from them.

That is a state institution funding an exit ramp: the reasoning is that a British company reaching US customers and follow-on money early is more likely to still exist at Series B, but the relationships built at pre-seed tend to determine where a company later domiciles, lists and hires. Capital moves the other way too, and without a state intermediary; PhysicsX took a Series c led by Singapore's Temasek in June without leaving the UK .

Common Questions
Who runs Odyssey Ventures?
Odyssey Ventures is run from London and San Francisco by co-founders Ali Mitchell, formerly of EQT Ventures, and Michelle Robson, formerly of AP Ventures.Source:
How much did the British Business Bank commit to Odyssey Ventures?
The British Business Bank committed £10m to Odyssey Ventures on 23 July 2026 via its Regional Angels Programme.Source:
What is Odyssey Ventures' fund size?
Odyssey Ventures, also known as Odyssey Discovery I, is a $50m transatlantic pre-seed and seed fund.Source:
Why did the British Business Bank back Odyssey Ventures?
The state-owned bank backs Odyssey Ventures on the argument that British founders who reach American capital and customers early are more likely to survive to a later funding round.Source: