Nesta Ventures is a venture capital arm of NESTA specializing in direct and fund of fund investments. The company seeks to invest in seed, startup, early stage, growth, and expansion companies. It invests in medium term equity, quasi-equity, and debt investments. Nesta seeks to invest in all legal structures from registered charities to companies limited by shares and private companies. The firm also prefers to invest in technology companies with a focus on engineering, information and communications technology software, information and communications technology hardware, healthcare, and cleantech. For the initial investment, the firm acts either as a lead investor in the company or part of a syndicate of co-investors. It prefers to take a board seat in its portfolio companies. For fund of fund investments, the firm invests in early stage funds as a limited partner or co-investor. It may also act as a cornerstone investor. It does not provide grants of any kind.