SCVC welcomes Catherine Fletcher as new partner

Cath holds a PhD in Chemistry and has leveraged both her scientific expertise and transferable skills to transition from academic research to a leadership role in venture capital. Since helping to set up SCVC alongside Harry Destecroix, she’s developed and implemented their key investment and portfolio management processes to support pioneering deep tech founders. Despite her purely academic background, Cath has come to manage the complex legal and financial aspects of deal and fund structures- leading on over 30 SCVC deals, and establishing SCVC’s second fund with a novel structure to target a final raise of $100 million. 

Cath played a strategic role in designing and delivering the Science Creates Engineering Biology Accelerator, and now directs SCVC’s contributions to the Accelerator Programmes through workshops and training. She also provides mentorship within the SCVC ecosystem and as a Board Member across the firm’s portfolio. Her rapid adaptability and comprehensive involvement in all of the firm’s activities underscore her critical role in the firm’s success.

This appointment to Partner will see Cath join SCVC’s existing Partners, Harry Destecroix and John Williams, to support deep tech founders in transforming human and planetary health. 

In further recognition of her trailblazing contributions to venture capital, Cath has also officially joined European Women in VC—the most powerful network of senior female VC investors in Europe—in shaping the future of venture capital and progressing the fact that only 13% of senior VCs in the UK are women.

Harry Destecroix, Founder of Science Creates and Founder and Managing Partner of SCVC, said:

“To many of those who have worked with her over the years—our founders, LPs, co-investors, and others— it will come as no surprise that she has made partner at SCVC. Catherine was the first to join SCVC a little over four years ago and was instrumental in helping us raise our first fund in 2021. Her work has been vital in investing in and supporting many inspirational deep tech founders.

“She has played a critical role in structuring and hitting the first close of our second fund. At SCVC, we lead most of our investments into complex early-stage deep tech university spinouts.

“Many of us in the industry understand that VC really is an apprenticeship, and being great at the job takes an enormous amount of on-the-job experience. Catherine has exemplified this, demonstrating the many skills and qualities we look for in our founders: a strong bias towards action, hard work, determination, attention to detail, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to learn and come up to speed in many different areas quickly.

“I would have been extremely impressed with anyone who delivered so much value. Catherine’s achievements are even more impressive because she had no background in VC before joining us on our mission.

“Catherine came to us with a strong research background, having completed multiple postdocs. Her transition is a testament to her abilities and serves as an inspiration to many others considering a career change, particularly those with strong research credentials.”

Cath shared:

“I am delighted to have made it to this position where I can make a real difference. I’m passionate about encouraging more women and people of different backgrounds to pursue alternative career paths like I have. I’m super proud of everything we have achieved to date, but most importantly looking forward to the bigger and better achievements that are looming in the not-too-distant future!”

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SCVC is a leading UK VC investing in early-stage deep tech spin-outs and forms the official VC arm of the Science Creates community. Find out more here.