We invest in businesses founded and led by Laidlaw Scholars – NextGen leaders we know to be ambitious, brave, curious, determined, extraordinary, fast and good.
FUND YOUR BUSINESSLaidlaw Scholars Ventures (LSV) is a for-profit initiative investing in start-ups founded and run by Laidlaw Scholars.
Backed by $50m, LSV accelerates Good Businesses by financing their growth, providing support services, delivering extensive training and development, and bringing a network of expert advisors and mentors to guide portfolio businesses.
All profits from LSV will be returned to the Laidlaw Foundation to invest in its educational programmes designed to break the cycle of poverty, reduce inequality and develop a new generation of ethical leaders.
We back purposeful businesses with ethical leaders to prove that entrepreneurs don’t have to choose between purpose or profit.
LSV will accelerate its portfolio businesses by actively supporting its founders and their leadership teams as they scale and continue to grow.
Lord Laidlaw is a committed philanthropist, serial entrepreneur, and accomplished sportsman. A graduate of Leeds University and Columbia Business School, Lord Laidlaw founded the Institute for International Research Ltd (IIR) which became the world’s largest conference and training company. He sold it in 2005 for $1.4bn to Informa Plc.
Niall has been working with startups for the last decade, investing and advising CEOs on growth strategies, fundraising and providing introductions to support them as they scale. He joined the Laidlaw Foundation in 2021 from Edge Investments where he led investments, supported as a Board Director and managed exits in high-growth early-stage businesses.
Matt is a chartered accountant and the CFO of Highland Group Holdings Ltd, Lord Laidlaw’s private investment group. He is a widely experienced and commercial ACA with over 20 years PQE providing financial leadership to entrepreneurial companies and groups in the SME market.
Nikol is passionate about helping businesses succeed through human-centred design. Since joining the Laidlaw Foundation in 2019 as Digital Content Manager, she has helped foster a thriving community of next-generation leaders, supporting the Laidlaw Scholars Network and promoting the Foundation’s purpose and programmes.
Susanna’s professional experience includes over 15 years in senior leadership roles in international B2B and learning businesses. She began her career at the Institute for International Research (IIR) where she first worked with Lord Laidlaw, rising to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). When IIR, was acquired by Informa Plc in 2005 Susanna was appointed CMO of the enlarged group.
LSV makes seed, series A and B investments in businesses founded by Laidlaw Scholars or with a Laidlaw Scholar on the management team owning a minimum of 10% equity.
We only invest in businesses that are committed to being “good” and whose leadership team have committed to the Good Business Charter.
We invest in UK, Irish and US based businesses.
To apply for funding, please complete the pitch form by clicking the button below. Note that you will need to submit some supporting documents - make sure they are ready before you complete the form.
See investment criteria ↓
In a series of short videos, our Chief Investment Officer Niall Santamaria gives you an overview of the vision behind Laidlaw Scholars Ventures, explains how you can fund your business with us, and shares his best advice on successfully pitching your idea to investors.
Why we created the fund, the vision behind it, and how LSV can help your business succeed as it scales and grows.
How you can apply to fund your business with Laidlaw Scholars Ventures.
Laidlaw Scholars Ventures has invested $650K in Guava, a digital banking and networking platform by and for Black entrepreneurs, to help narrow the racial wealth gap in the United States.
February 9, 2023
ProMotion Rewards, a consumer rewards company which provides brand partners with customer insight, has secured a €725k pre-seed investment led by Laidlaw Scholars Ventures.
October 24, 2022
We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about applying for funding, are a service provider looking to explore a partnership opportunity, or would like join our group of business mentors, please reach out to us at: hello@laidlawscholarsventures.com