Organization · Venture Capital
ZINC
Zinc is a London-based early-stage venture builder and investor focused on accelerating mission-driven innovations in health and environmental sectors. Established in 2017, it supports entrepreneurs in launching scalable solutions through various programs.
Overview
What ZINC does
What ZINC is
Zinc is a London-based early-stage venture builder and investor focused on accelerating mission-driven innovations in health and environmental sectors. Established in 2017, it supports entrepreneurs in launching scalable solutions through various programs.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program 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
- Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2017
- Approximate age
- About 9 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host
- Last reviewed
- February 28, 2026
Official channels
Find ZINC elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
ZINC as a funder
Investment thesis
Mission-driven VC backing Science-for-Impact innovation in health, environment, mental health, and later-life sectors. Venture builder model with 9-month cohort programs.
Focus narrative
Science-for-Impact ventures with deep tech and strong IP. Health, environment, mental health, later-life. Backs Mission Area Experts, Business/Technical leaders, and Entrepreneurial Scientists.
Value beyond capital
Funding + business building support. IP strategy, team building, investor networks. Cohort-based venture building with 12+ month programs.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $306,000
- Sweet spot
- $250,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- Biotech · Climate · Frontier · Healthcare · Mental Health · Workflow Automation
- Regions
- EuropeUnited Kingdom
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Investments in the last 12 months
- 1
- Last recorded investment
- November 1, 2025
Portfolio context
45 companies. HealthTech (15), Enterprise Applications (9). Recent: Intace (packaging), Serenatis Bio (biotech). 250K GBP initial investment.
Capability profile
ZINC as a program host
Program thesis
Science-for-impact company builder pairing diverse professionals to build scalable commercial ventures tackling the world's most pressing societal challenges from inception.
Focus narrative
Mission-driven cohorts: women's mental health, sustainable aging, economic resilience, environmental harm reduction. Company building from inception (pre-team stage). 50%+ female founders, 85% women co-founded or all-women.
Value and support
9-month program from inception. 70 entrepreneurs per mission cohort. Co-founder matching. £13.2K/month stipend per founder for 6 months. £80K first investment + £150K follow-on seed. LSE connection. Diversity-focused.
Terms and economics
- Indicative investment
- $325,000
- Stipend
- $16,000
Format and cadence
- Typical duration
- 36 weeks
- Typical cohort
- 70 companies
- Cohorts per year
- 1
- Format
- In Person
Availability
- Application state
- Accepting
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed
- Regions
- United Kingdom
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable alumni: Adia Health (fertility), Vira Health (menopause), Pexxi (contraception), Ferly/Leika (sexual health), Tonus (wearable robotics), Cordon (climate, £840K pre-seed), Sterling Biomachines (biotech).
Common questions
What to know about ZINC
Upseed classifies ZINC under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and program 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
February 28, 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.