Finance

FT Ventures Seeks Potential Investment Opportunities in Information Companies

Published March 7, 2024

FT Ventures, the recently established venture capital division of the Financial Times Group, is actively seeking to support the growth and innovation within the information sector. The company is committed to investing amounts ranging from £500,000 to £5 million in a variety of promising companies that are intimately connected to the fields of information, intelligence, and media. This encompasses a broad spectrum of potential investments, extending to data, content, and related areas.

Investment Philosophy and Goals

At the heart of FT Ventures' vision is the desire to foster innovation and expansion, both within the Financial Times Group and the smaller businesses they intend to support. The aim is to collaborate closely with these enterprises, leveraging the shared foundation within the information industry. This strategy is designed not only to facilitate mutual growth but also to adhere closely to the group's core focus and expertise in media and information.

FT Group's Financial Context

The FT Group, under the ownership of the Japan-based conglomerate Nikkei, demonstrated a solid financial performance in the previous year. In 2022, the group's revenue observed a 5% increase, amounting to £458 million, although operating profits saw a slight decline of 7%, resulting in £29 million. The formation of FT Ventures is thus seen as a strategic progression, a 'logical next step' in the group's corporate evolution. Prior investments by the FT have included media entities such as Sifted, which caters to Europe's young startup scene, and The Business of Fashion, a platform focusing on the industry's commercial dimensions.

Venture, Capital, Investment