Firms

Start Codon

Start Codon

Cambridge, United Kingdom

startcodon.cocic.vcfind-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk

Start Codon is the Cambridge life-sciences and healthcare venture builder and investment platform at startcodon.co, now wholly owned by Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC). Its current owner explicitly says it is not accepting new applications. Launched publicly in April2019 after Start Codon Ltd was incorporated15November2018 (company11680152), it provides early investment and venture-building support for therapeutics, diagnostics, medtech, digital health and data-driven TechBio companies. Current owner disclosures report28 historical investments and publish24 active portfolio entries, including neurodegeneration programmes at TRIMTECH, brain-disease genetics at CoSyne, RNAi/gene therapy at Drishti, AI/ML chemistry at HotHouse, multiomics at Tagomics and 3D genomics at Enhanc3D. These are source-qualified portfolio affiliations rather than assertions that every company has received a new cash check or remains unexited. Current governance comprises three statutory directors appointed25January2025 to Start Codon Ltd and Start Codon General Partner Ltd: Nicholas Bryn (Nick) Richards, Robert Timothy (Rob) Sprawson and Andrew James Williamson. CIC’s current Anne Horgan biography specifically identifies her management of the Start Codon portfolio. Published2019–2024 CEO/co-founder Jason Mellad, COO/co-founder Daniel Rooke and earlier staff/board affiliations are recorded with historical scope; their former appointments are not presented as current CIC-era employees. Current broader dedicated staff/headcount is undisclosed. Start Codon Fund1 LP (Companies House LP020399; press alias FundI LP) closed at GBP15 million on16November2020, with LPs including Novartis International AG and CIC. The November2025 Combined Authority report identifies full fund management by CIC, formerly Kin Capital on behalf of the founders, and distinguishes its own GBP3 million Local Growth Funding commitment from GBP2.4 million drawn. Those LP figures are not an extra fund close, company ticket or management-company ownership percentage. Legal GP11982402, nominee12374078 and carry-GP SC628762 are distinct entities; none is an extra closed LP fund. The precise subscribing legal vehicle in individual issuer transactions is only recorded where primary disclosure establishes it. TRIMTECH’s March5,2025 actualUSD31 million seed names Start Codon separately from CIC and Cambridge Enterprise, so those institutional buyers remain distinct.

Founded
2018
Type
Venture capital

Funds1

  • Start Codon Fund 1 LP£15M

    UK Private Fund Limited Partnership LP020399, registered31July2019, press alias Start Codon FundI LP. ActualGBP15 million close announced16November2020 by official owner. LPs Novartis International AG and CIC publicly named; individual LP tickets undisclosed. Current2025 official authority report identifies CIC fund management, previouslyKinCapital. Authority3Mcommitment/2.4Mdraw is within same fund, not additionalfundclose; no private-company allocation guessed. GeneralPartnerLtd11982402, nominee12374078 and carry-GP SC628762 remain distinct legal concepts, not additional closed funds.

Team

Andrew Williamson
Andrew Williamson

Start Codon, Director (Start Codon Ltd and General Partner Ltd)

$3M$600K – $6MCambridge, United Kingdom
Rob Sprawson
Rob Sprawson

Start Codon, Director (Start Codon Ltd and General Partner Ltd)

$3M$600K – $6MCambridge, United Kingdom
Anne Horgan
Anne Horgan

Start Codon, Start Codon Portfolio Manager (CIC life-sciences partner)

$3M$600K – $6MParis, France

Operations and support

Daniel RookeDaniel RookeCo-founder and COO (published2021–2024; historical)
Emma PlowmanEmma PlowmanTalent Director (published2023–2024; historical)
Jason MelladJason MelladCo-founder and CEO (published2019–2024; historical)
Michael SalakoMichael SalakoInvestment Director (published2021–2024; historical) · Senior Investment Associate (published2020; historical)
Nick RichardsNick RichardsDirector (Start Codon Ltd and General Partner Ltd)
Sakura HollowaySakura HollowayPartner and Head of Diligence (published2019–2020; historical)
Silvia BaudoneProgramme and Partnerships Manager (published2020–2021; historical)

Co-investing

Investments