Ex-Mercia investor joins LCC’s fhunded team to support increased VC deal activity

fhunded has partnered with VC investment specialist Kiran Mehta to help boost levels of early-stage investment activity and deal flow in Lancashire.

Kiran, a former VC investment manager at Mercia Ventures, will work closely with the fhunded programme lead, Rory Southworth, and LCC’s wider finance and funding teams, to identify early-stage businesses which have high-growth potential and help them to get investment ready.

fhunded is the Lancashire County Council (LCC) initiative which supports the county’s early-stage finance and funding community.

Kiran will also engage with investors looking for new innovation-led investment opportunities across the county.

 During his four years at Mercia, Kiran facilitated over £20m of early-stage VC investment into tech businesses around the UK.

He also sat on the boards of the companies he backed, helping them to secure further finance and scale up.

 Prior to Mercia, and after having studied for both a business degree and an MBA at the University of Central Lancashire, Kiran worked for Lloyds Banking Group.

Initially appointed to work in a corporate banking role, he went on to become a founding employee of Lloyd’s Housing Growth Partnership, a dedicated real estate equity fund.

 Kiran said: “Whilst a VC, I experienced first-hand the energy and ambition which underpins the fhunded programme. I could also see the immense untapped early-stage investment potential Lancashire has.

 “Becoming part of the fhunded team myself, and helping the programme to grow and develop, is therefore very exciting, and I am relishing the opportunities which lie ahead for both fhunded and Lancashire’s tech economy as a whole.

"Being a UCLan graduate I’m also greatly looking forward to reconnecting with the county where I first discovered my passion for business.”

Rory Southworth, Lancashire County Council’s investment ecosystem manager, said: “Kiran has extensive experience and an outstanding track record across the equity investment and tech VC landscape.

"The incredibly positive feedback from delegates who attended fhunded events which Kiran participated in also highlights his ability to engage with the county’s early-stage businesses.

 “That blend of VC and equity expertise, together with a down-to-earth and relatable approach to working with local founders, is exactly what we need to help us take fhunded to the next level.”         

 Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth at Lancashire County Council, said: “LCC’s fhunded initiative has clearly demonstrated that Lancashire has significant growth potential within the tech and innovation investment space, and in a very short space of time it has firmly put the county on the early-stage investor map.

 “Through working closely with investment specialists like Kiran we are now looking to rapidly grow the number of VCs engaged with the fhunded programme, increase the support on offer to local founders looking for investment, and boost overall deal flow.

“This will also complement the work of LCC’s other finance and funding services, such as the debt finance offered by Rosebud, which are all designed to help ambitious Lancashire businesses to grow.”

Through curated in-person events, fhunded brings founders and funders together and helps to kickstart conversations.

 The vast majority of equity raised in Lancashire throughout 2024 was generated through connections made via fhunded events and networking

fhunded is also currently exploring how it can support angel investors looking to engage with Lancashire’s founder community

For more information on fhunded, visit www.fhunded.co.uk.