United Kingdom: Venture Capital

Investors often discover during due diligence that startups do not fully own, control, or protect their most valuable assets. From missing assignment agreements to undisclosed open-source obligations, these common intellectual property pitfalls can delay transactions, reduce valuations, or derail funding rounds entirely. Understanding these five critical IP issues before a funding round begins can help both investors and founders reduce risk and preserve value.

Invest Europe has introduced new model Limited Partnership Agreement language that fundamentally shifts how private capital approaches defence investments in Europe. The proposal establishes that defence and dual-use activities should be permitted unless prohibited under international law, rather than restricted by default. This change reflects evolving geopolitical realities and NATO's commitment to invest 5% of GDP in defence by 2035, creating significant opportunities for private equity, venture capital,

The UK's and EU's parallel agendas of growth and competitiveness continue to be important, together with their focus on strengthening financial stability and mitigating systemic risk. These three themes from the topics covered in this horizon scan are noteworthy.