The UK equity finance market has grown significantly, with £145.3bn invested across 25,002 companies from 2011 to 2025. However, regional disparities persist, with London dominating 47% of deals and 57% of investment value, while regions like the Midlands and Northern Ireland remain underrepresented. Post-2022, the market has shifted to fewer but larger deals, with average deal values reaching £5.9m by 2025. The UK equity gap for 2024 is £8.1bn, but only £0.75bn is realistically financeable due to market frictions. Policy efforts, including regional investment funds, tax incentives, and programs like the Future Fund, aim to address funding gaps and strengthen local ecosystems. Unlocking institutional capital and improving access to scale-up funding are critical for fostering growth and reducing regional disparities.
