About Virgin Start Up
Virgin Start Up, an accelerator and incubator program founded in 2013, is based in London, United Kingdom. With a presence in 3 countries, it has supported around 108 startups in sectors like Retail, Consumer. As of Sep 2026, Virgin Start Up has witnessed 3 portfolio exits. Most notable companies in
its portfolio include Dash Water, Love Cocoa and ARC Marine. The program is backed by a team of 14 people who primarily support Conventional Debt startups based in United Kingdom. Its latest investment was a $31.8K Conventional Debt round in Meander Apparel on Jul 06, 2023 along with British Business Bank.
Key Metrics
Founded Year
2013
Location
London, United Kingdom
Portfolio Companies
Stages of Investment
Conventional Debt
Locations of Investment
Virgin Start Up's List of Top Investments
Virgin Start Up has a portfolio of 108 companies. Their most notable investments include Dash Water and Love Cocoa.Their portfolio spans across United Kingdom, United States and Spain. They have invested in Retail, Consumer, EdTech and 18 other sectors, across stages such as Conventional Debt stage. Here is the list of top investments by Virgin Start Up:1. Dash Water
Brand of carbonated water. It focused on creating fruit infused sparkling water. The product line includes various flavors infused with fruits like grapefruit, peach, lime, and raspberry. Customers can purchase the drinks individually or through subscription services.
Key facts about Dash Water
- Founded Year: 2017
- Location: London (United Kingdom)
- Annual Revenue: £10M - £50M as on Dec 31, 2024
- Valuation: $*****
- Stage: Series A
- Total Funding till date: $23.2M
- Employee Count: 66 as on Aug 31, 2026
- Investors: ProVen, KM Capital and 36 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series A, Jan 06, 2023, $*****
2. Love Cocoa
Internet-first brand offering chocolates. Its product offering includes chocolate bars, truffles, subscription boxes, gifting, cards, gin, and more. It also provides vegan chocolates and corporate gifting options. The company claims that they plant one tree for one chocolate bar under the plant a tree project.
Key facts about Love Cocoa
- Founded Year: 2013
- Location: London (United Kingdom)
- Last Known Valuation: $*****
- Stage: Acquired
- Total Funding till date: $5.35M
- Employee Count: 1 as on Aug 31, 2026
- Investors: J O Hambro Capital Management, Seedrs and 6 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Angel, Jan 23, 2023, $*****
- Highlight: Acquired
3. ARC Marine
Key facts about ARC Marine
- Founded Year: 2015
- Location: Brixham (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Seed
- Total Funding till date: $2.69M
- Employee Count: 26 as on Aug 31, 2026
- Investors: CIOSIF, The FSE Group and 4 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Seed, Nov 22, 2021, $*****
4. Ruuby
Ruuby is a mobile based marketplace that enables users to book appointments salons and spas. App also allows users to book therapists for in-home services. Yet to launch app on iPhone and Android as of Nov 2015.
Key facts about Ruuby
- Founded Year: 2014
- Location: London (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Seed
- Total Funding till date: $2.61M
- Employee Count: 82 as on Aug 31, 2026
- Investors: Founders Factory, 6G Capital and 34 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Seed, Oct 21, 2024, $*****
- Highlight: Editors' Pick
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Key facts about SimplyVAT.com
- Founded Year: 2013
- Location: Hove (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Acquired
- Total Funding till date: $396K
- Employee Count: 62 as on Aug 31, 2026
- Investors: Virgin Start Up
- Latest Funding Round: Seed, Feb 04, 2021, $*****
- Highlight: Acquired
Virgin Start Up's Year-on-Year Investment Trends
Virgin Start Up has invested in 108 companies over the last 13 years, with an average of 2 new investments annually in the last 10 years. Its most recent first time investment was in Meander Apparel and most recent follow-on round was in Inferno Media.Year | No. of Investments | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1st Round | Follow-on | Total | |
2026 (YTD) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2023 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
2022 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
2019 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
2018 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Virgin Start Up's Investments by Stage
Virgin Start Up has made 27 investments in Conventional Debt stage with an average round size of $29K.Virgin Start Up's Investments by Sector
Virgin Start Up has a diverse portfolio, with companies operating in the Consumer, Retail, Consumer Goods, Food and Agriculture and Business Services. Notably, it has invested in 34 Tech companies, 33 Consumer (B2C) companies, 9 Software companies and at least 8 companies focusing on Enterprise (B2B).Sector | No. of Investments |
|---|---|
Consumer | 6 |
Retail | 6 |
Consumer Goods | 4 |
Food and Agriculture | 3 |
Business Services | 2 |
Others | 12 |
Note: We have considered here, only first round of investments
Virgin Start Up's Investments by Geography
Virgin Start Up has made most investments in United Kingdom (26), followed by United States where it has made 2 investments.Country | No. of Investments |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | 26 |
United States | 2 |
Note: We have considered here, only first round of investments
Virgin Start Up's recent investments
Virgin Start Up has not made any investment in 2026 so far.Here are the most recent investments by Virgin Start Up:
Filter this listDate | Company | Location | Round Details | Round Amount | Co-Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jul 06, 2023 | United Kingdom | Conventional Debt | 6658 | ||
Jun 14, 2023 | United Kingdom | Conventional Debt | 7906 | - | |
Dec 22, 2022 | United Kingdom | Conventional Debt | 1160 | - | |
Nov 15, 2020 | United Kingdom | Conventional Debt | 5825 | - | |
Jan 15, 2020 | United Kingdom | Conventional Debt | 1384 | - |
Acquired companies in Virgin Start Up's Portfolio
3 companies from Virgin Start Up's portfolio have been acquired. The most recent acquisition was SimplyVAT.com in Feb 2026 by Avask for $*****.Here are Virgin Start Up's portfolio companies that got acquired most recently:
Company | Acquisition Date | First Invested on | First Round of Investment | Round Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Feb 06, 2026 | - | - | 7194 | |
Nov 04, 2025 | Jul 08, 2016 | Conventional Debt | 9212 | |
Sep 28, 2020 | - | - | 6214 |
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Team profile of Virgin Start Up
Virgin Start Up has a team of 14 members including 2 Partners located in United Kingdom. Virgin Start Up's team does not sit on the board of any company as of now.Co-investors of Virgin Start Up
Over the past 13 years, 6 investors have co-invested in Virgin Start Up's portfolio companies. This includes funds and angels.
- Top Co-investors of Virgin Start Up: British Business Bank entered a company along with Virgin Start Up.
- Invested after Virgin Start Up: A total of 5 investors have invested in Virgin Start Up's portfolio after their investments. Top Investors include Richard Koch (1 company) and Seedrs (1 company).
Recent News related to Virgin Start Up
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Meander raises BBB funds ahead of crowdfundDaily Business•Jul 06, 2023•Meander Apparel, British Business Bank, Virgin Start Up
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Drinks brand secures investment from US private equity firmInsider Media•Jan 20, 2021•Berczy, Virgin Start Up
