The British Business Bank has committed up to £45m as lead investor in Redrice Ventures’ £75m Fund II, aiming to strengthen early-stage investment across the UK creative industries.
The commitment, made under the bank’s Enterprise Capital Funds program, builds on an earlier £36m cornerstone financing for Redrice’s first fund in 2021, which helped to attract additional private capital into an oversubscribed vehicle.
London-based Redrice, founded in 2018, specializes in seed-stage investments in high-value, purpose-led consumer brands and related B2B technology. The firm focuses on companies operating at the intersection of creativity and commerce, with investments in media, sports, health and wellness – sectors where brand identity, storytelling and cultural relevance are central to growth.
The creative industries continue to make a significant contribution to the UK economy, employing around 2.4 million people and generating £124 billion in gross value added. Consumer brands play a critical role in this ecosystem, driving demand for design, advertising, content production and innovation, while the broader creative sector increases brand reach and international appeal.
Redrice’s portfolio also extends into sports and entertainment, supported by the Redrice Sports Collective, led by Sir Andy Murray and Alistair Brownlee OBE. Sport is considered a key creative export sector that combines live performance, media production and digital storytelling into globally marketable experiences.
The British Business Bank said its role as a cornerstone investor allows the funds to achieve first close and scale more effectively. The Enterprise Capital Funds program has supported 51 funds to date, representing more than £3 billion of funding.
Christine Hockley, managing director and co-head of funds at the bank, said the investment was in line with the government’s growth agenda. “The creative industries are central to the UK’s growth mission,” she said. “As a cornerstone investor, our goal is to raise additional capital and expand financing options for companies looking to scale.”
Tom March, founder and partner at Redrice Ventures, said the UK was well placed to produce globally ambitious brands due to its deep creative and technical talent. “In a content-filled world, the brands that win don’t just acquire customers – they build fan bases,” he said. “Fund II is about supporting founders who understand that authentic connection is everything.”
The investment underlines growing institutional support for creative and consumer-focused start-ups as policymakers look to boost high-growth sectors as part of the UK’s modern industrial strategy.
