Organization · Government VC
Fhunded
Fhunded is an early-stage investment initiative based in Lancashire, UK, launched by Lancashire County Council. It connects local founders with funding opportunities and supports the region's innovation ecosystem.
Overview
What Fhunded does
What Fhunded is
Fhunded is an early-stage investment initiative based in Lancashire, UK, launched by Lancashire County Council. It connects local founders with funding opportunities and supports the region's innovation ecosystem.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Government VC
- Founded
- Founded in 2023
- Approximate age
- About 3 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- May 3, 2026
Official channels
Find Fhunded elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Fhunded as a funder
Investment thesis
Fhunded aims to facilitate connections between founders and funders in Lancashire's innovative industries, focusing on early-stage equity investments to support local startups and entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups.
Focus narrative
Fhunded focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in startups based in Lancashire. The initiative includes the Fhunded Angels network, which provides seed capital to local startups, and aims to address the lack of early-stage finance available to businesses outside of London. Fhunded is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups, including women and individuals from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Value beyond capital
Fhunded adds value to its portfolio companies by providing access to a network of investors, tailored investment-readiness support, and curated events that connect founders with potential funders. The initiative also focuses on fostering a collaborative ecosystem that encourages innovation and growth among Lancashire startups.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $50,000–$150,000
- Sweet spot
- $100,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Friends and Family · Angel · Accelerator
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
Portfolio context
Fhunded has facilitated over £21 million in early-stage investments into Lancashire businesses since its inception. Notable investments include funding for companies such as Fuuse, a technology firm; Relative Insight, a data analytics company; LiNa Energy, focused on energy technology; CCI Photonics, a photonics company; and PetProov, an anti-fraud technology startup for the pet sector.
Capability profile
Fhunded as a community
Community overview
Fhunded is an early-stage investment initiative based in Lancashire, UK, launched by Lancashire County Council. It aims to facilitate connections between founders and funders within the region's innovative industries and high-growth sectors. The initiative is designed to address the lack of early-stage finance available to businesses outside of London, particularly focusing on supporting entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups, including women and individuals from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Community focus
Fhunded focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in startups based in Lancashire. It includes the Fhunded Angels network, which provides seed capital to local startups. The organization seeks to enhance the investment landscape for early-stage businesses in the region, making it easier for founders to access the necessary funding and support.
Member value
Members of Fhunded benefit from access to a network of investors, including angel investors and venture capitalists, as well as investment-readiness support and curated events. The initiative also provides insights into investment trends and opportunities through its Dealroom Microsite and regular updates on funding successes.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- June 11, 2026
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Benefits
- network-access and mentorship
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United Kingdom
Community activity
Events and activity
Fhunded hosts various events, including 'Founder X Funder' networking events that connect founders with potential investors, and 'Meet the Investor' sessions where founders can engage with multiple VC funds. Additionally, they organize 'Investor fireside chats' and 'Founder masterclasses' focused on investment readiness. The annual 'LIFT 26' festival showcases innovation, finance, and technology.
Notable members
Notable investments facilitated by Fhunded include companies such as Fuuse, Relative Insight, LiNa Energy, CCI Photonics, and PetProov. The initiative is supported by Lancashire County Council and has a team that includes Rory Southworth, Kiran Metha, and Troy Wood.
Capability profile
Fhunded as an event host
Event focus
Fhunded is dedicated to facilitating early-stage investments in startups based in Lancashire. The initiative aims to bridge the gap in early-stage finance available to businesses outside of London, particularly supporting entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups, including women and individuals from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Format narrative
Fhunded hosts various events, including networking sessions that connect founders with potential investors and opportunities for founders to engage with multiple VC funds.
Participant value
Fhunded provides a vital connection between local startups and investors, offering access to seed capital, investment-readiness support, and curated networking events to enhance the growth of Lancashire's innovative industries.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- meetup
- Recurrence
- recurring
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- June 11, 2026
- Next event location
- Burnley Football Club
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open and application
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- United KingdomNorth America
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Notable speakers include Rory Southworth, Investment Ecosystem Manager; Kiran Metha, VC Specialist; and Troy Wood, AI and Deep Tech Investment Consultant.
Past editions
Fhunded has facilitated over £21 million in early-stage investments into Lancashire businesses since its inception, with notable investments in companies such as Fuuse, Relative Insight, LiNa Energy, CCI Photonics, and PetProov.
Common questions
What to know about Fhunded
Upseed classifies Fhunded under the Government VC organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, community, and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
May 3, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.