Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: April 13, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Venture Capital & Regulatory Focus

Eka Ventures securing £80 million for its latest fund signals a targeted approach within the UK venture scene, specifically targeting startups that are "leaning into regulation" rather than avoiding it, a strategy that contrasts with the broader market's recent exuberance. This specialized focus comes as venture capital appears to be consolidating, with the usual suspects dominating deal flow despite warnings that the current AI investment frenzy echoes the excesses of 2021. The backdrop for this concentration of capital is further complicated by OpenAI’s Stargate project retreat from the UK, an event that has exposed perceived weaknesses in the nation's technological ambitions, prompting scrutiny over whether VCs have genuinely learned lessons from previous market bubbles or simply forgotten 2021.