Global investors representing approximately £20 trillion in assets under management will gather in London on 15th May for the London Venture Capital Summit 2026, part of London Venture Capital week – as venture capital across Europe enters a more selective but opportunity-rich phase.
Following the 2021 peak, funding has become more concentrated, with deal volumes declining as capital flows into fewer, larger transactions. Sectors such as fintech and consumer technology have slowed, with European fintech investment remaining significantly below 2021 levels despite signs of stabilisation in 2025.
At the same time, artificial intelligence, defence technology, and selected deeptech sectors are attracting a growing share of capital, reshaping where and how investors deploy funds.
Taking place at Guildhall under the theme “The Future of London as Europe’s VC Capital,” the summit will bring together venture capital firms, institutional investors, and family offices to examine how capital is being redeployed and where the next generation of high-growth opportunities will emerge.
London continues to play a central role in the European venture ecosystem, acting as a gateway for international capital and one of the most active global centres for venture investment and startup formation.
Speaker spotlight
The summit will feature more than 100 speakers from leading investment institutions, including Michael Harris, Vice Chairman and Global Head of Capital Markets at the New York Stock Exchange, who will speak on liquidity and exit options for private equity, venture capital and founders.
Also confirmed speakers include Leandros Kalisperas, Chief Investment Officer at the British Business Bank; Katie Ramsey, Head of Venture Capital Unit at the Office for Investment; Giuseppe de Filippo, Head of Direct Private Investments at Julius Baer; Zeynep Ozturk, Managing Director at JP Morgan Private Bank; Stuart Chapman, Co-Founder of Molten Ventures; Alex Taussig, Board Partner at Lightspeed; and Meagan Loyst, Founder of Gen Z VCs. Chris Elphick, Head of VC at UK Private Capital, will also speak on behalf of the industry body, which represents over 600 firms backing 13,000 businesses and 2.5 million people.
Programme highlights
With over 30 panels across the day, key sessions include:
- Where Are VCs Putting Their Money?
- The Future of London as Europe’s VC Capital
- AI in 2030: What’s Next?
- The Future of Spacetech & Aerospace
- Liquidity Options for PE, VC, and Founders
- Policy Update: VC, Tax, and Global Capital in 2026
- Structuring Funds in 2026
- The Future of HealthTech
- The Future of Climate Investing
- Beyond Series B: Growth Capital & Public Markets
High-growth startups across AI, fintech, climate tech, life sciences, and deeptech will present through curated pitch sessions, with a Startup Pitch Competition showcasing companies seeking investment and strategic support.
Co-Founders Dan Idhenga and Aadam Sümer said: “London Venture Capital Week and Summit has become a key meeting point for global capital and innovation. While the UK remains one of Europe’s most active venture ecosystems, founders are navigating a more challenging fundraising environment as capital concentrates into fewer, higher-quality opportunities. That is why the Summit brings together leading venture capital firms, institutional investors, and family offices alongside early-stage companies to examine the forces shaping markets, from technological disruption to geopolitics, and translate those insights into investment and long-term partnerships.”
To attend the London Venture Capital Summit 2026, tickets start from £105.
To purchase tickets and view the full speaker agenda, visit: www.londonvcsummit.com
