Managing Partner and Co-Founder, White Horse Capital

Ian Merricks founded and sold media and digital businesses between 1996–2007; before moving into early stage investment (from seed to Series B). He co-founded White Horse Capital, which provides capital, advisory services and M&A support for high growth tech companies, helping clients to raise £350m+ so far.

He also founded, and now proudly chairs The Accelerator Network which runs a variety of accelerator programmes usually with government and corporates, and has supported 1,000+ startups & scaleups, to accelerate growth and raise equity from seed to Series A. As a result Ian was named in the Top 100 most influential Global tech accelerator leaders. 

As founder of The Accelerator Network, his startup support passion has seen him work for and with UK Government to Ministerial level, at 10 Downing Street, and even Buckingham Palace. He has also overseen accelerator programmes in Taiwan, Japan, Armenia, Slovakia, Lebanon, Slovakia, Iceland and elsewhere.

Ian remains an active investor with a broad portfolio of early stage tech investments. He is a member of the advisory board of the UK Business Angel Association, as well as a General Partner of the British Venture Capital Association and a founding shareholder of SFC Capital S/EIS fund.

Why do you support the work of The Entrepreneurs Network?

Philip and the team work tirelessly to take the pulse of UK entrepreneurs. Their close trusted relationship with government means that their views and suggestions get listened to, and more often than not, acted upon. Pleasure to be associated with their excellent work.

Why is the UK an attractive place to grow a business?

Having worked in numerous countries, the UK over the last decade, has  become absolutely one of the best countries for entrepreneurs to build successful, scalable businesses, with a supportive culture and government, a highly connected nationwide network, and resilient capital at all stages of a business journey.