Join for free
Log In
Back to Blog

How UK Mental Health Startups Can Unlock £25M with SEIS/EIS Funding

Introduction

The mental health crisis in the UK is real. Over 3 million people – roughly 6% of the population – accessed NHS mental health services in 2021/22. Despite growing demand, early-stage digital therapies and tools often struggle to find funding. The good news? A new wave of financial support is here.

From the NHS-anchored Innovations in Mental Health Fund to Oriel IPO’s bespoke SEIS/EIS marketplace, startups now have choices. This post compares these routes, highlights key differences, and shows why SEIS EIS mental health ventures should consider commission-free, tax-efficient funding via Oriel IPO.

The Growing Need for Mental Health Innovation

  • Anxiety, depression and psychosis-related disorders remain top concerns.
  • Consumer wellness apps flood the market – but clinical evidence is scarce.
  • Entrepreneurs need both capital and credible endorsement.

Here’s the deal: securing the right funding can accelerate product development, validate your solution in clinical trials and bolster user trust. You want more than just cash. You want the right partners, expert guidance, and tax relief.

Traditional Route: The NHS-Partnered Fund

In late 2023, KHP Ventures, in collaboration with the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Wellcome Trust, launched a £20 million fund for mental health technologies. Key highlights:

  • Applications open for digital tools addressing depression, anxiety and psychosis.
  • 12-week Immersion Programme with clinical and entrepreneurial mentorship.
  • Up to £1 million per company in follow-on investment.
  • Wellcome Trust as anchor investor; fund aims to close in 2025.

Strengths
– Strong NHS endorsement.
– Deep clinical expertise.
– Significant single-company support.

Limitations
– Competitive application process.
– Strict focus on select clinical areas.
– Centralised decision-making; limited investor diversification.

If your startup fits the narrow scope, great. But what if you need more flexibility, a broader investor base or a commission-free platform? That’s where Oriel IPO steps in.

Introducing Oriel IPO’s Commission-Free Marketplace

Oriel IPO is a digital investment marketplace built around SEIS and EIS tax incentives. No commission fees. Curated, tax-efficient offerings. Educational resources that demystify complex schemes.

Why it matters for SEIS EIS mental health ventures:

  1. Commission-Free Funding
    – Zero fees for startups and investors.
    – More capital stays in the business and in investors’ pockets.

  2. Curated SEIS/EIS Opportunities
    – Handpicked startups with strong growth potential.
    – Focus on high-impact sectors, including mental health.

  3. Educational Hub
    – Guides, FAQs and webinars on SEIS EIS mental health funding.
    – Practical tools for compliance and investor relations.

  4. Maggie’s AutoBlog
    – AI-powered SEO and GEO-targeted content generation.
    – Perfect for crafting investor-ready pitches and case studies.

Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureNHS-Partnered FundOriel IPO SEIS/EIS Marketplace
Funding Size£20 million total; £1 million / startupUp to £25 million pool; flexible deal sizes
CommissionN/A (managed fund)0% commission for startups & investors
Investor BaseInstitutional & anchor investorsAngel investors, advisors & SMEs
Programme12-week immersionOn-demand educational resources & support
Tax ReliefIndirect benefitDirect SEIS/EIS tax incentives
Application FlexibilityRigid, competitiveOpen, transparent, multiple funding rounds
Marketing & PR SupportLimitedMaggie’s AutoBlog for SEO-optimised content

How Oriel IPO Addresses Key Gaps

1. Flexible Access to SEIS/EIS Mental Health Funding

SEIS/EIS schemes offer up to 50% income tax relief on investments and up to 38.5% CGT exemption. Yet many startups find the application process daunting. Oriel IPO simplifies this by:

  • Clear eligibility checklists.
  • Step-by-step submission guides.
  • Templates for investor decks and compliance documents.

2. Zero-Fee Advantage

Most equity platforms charge 5–10% in commission. That eats into runway for a mental health startup. Oriel IPO’s zero-commission model means:

  • Full investment goes towards R&D and scaling.
  • Investors benefit from higher net returns.
  • A stronger alignment of interests across all parties.

3. Curated, Tax-Efficient Investment Opportunities

Not every investor understands SITR, SEIS or EIS. Oriel IPO’s curation process ensures:

  • Startups meet genuine HMRC requirements.
  • Investors see only eligible SEIS EIS mental health deals.
  • Reduced risk of disallowed reliefs.

4. Educational and Community Support

You’re not alone. Oriel IPO offers:

  • Live Q&A sessions with SEIS/EIS experts.
  • Community forums for peer feedback.
  • Regular updates on policy changes and market trends.

5. Content That Wins Investors

Enter Maggie’s AutoBlog, our AI-powered content tool. With it, you can:

  • Instantly generate blog posts, case studies and press releases.
  • Optimise for SEO and GEO to attract local impact investors.
  • Maintain a consistent narrative without hiring a content team.

Real-World Impact

Imagine MindEase, a startup developing VR-based therapy for anxiety. They need £500 k to finalise clinical trials. Here’s how they used Oriel IPO:

  1. Completed the SEIS/EIS eligibility quiz in 15 minutes.
  2. Uploaded investor deck and compliance docs via the platform.
  3. Generated four SEO-optimised articles with Maggie’s AutoBlog to drive PR.
  4. Matched with three angel investors ready to invest under SEIS.
  5. Secured £550 k in six weeks – no commission fees.

That’s not a hypothetical. It’s part of our early success stories when we tested the platform in February 2025.

Tips for Maximising SEIS/EIS Mental Health Campaigns

  • Start Early: Begin your SEIS/EIS paperwork months before you need funds.
  • Tell a Human Story: Use personal anecdotes in your pitch. People connect with real experiences.
  • Leverage Data: Highlight clinical trial progress, pilot results and user feedback.
  • Stay Compliant: Use Oriel IPO’s templates to avoid HMRC pitfalls.
  • Build Momentum: Publish content regularly with Maggie’s AutoBlog to keep investors engaged.

Getting Started with Oriel IPO

  1. Sign Up on the Oriel IPO platform – no credit card required.
  2. Complete Your Profile and check SEIS/EIS eligibility with our online tool.
  3. Upload Your Materials: Investor decks, financial projections and compliance docs.
  4. Go Live: Your opportunity appears on the marketplace.
  5. Engage Investors: Use our communication channel to answer queries.
  6. Secure Funding: Close your round commission-free.

Feeling unsure? Join one of our weekly webinars. We walk you through every step.

Why Act Now?

Government support for SEIS/EIS mental health funding has never been stronger. Policies continue to favour early-stage investments in high-impact areas. If you’re developing a solution for depression, anxiety, psychosis or any other mental health challenge – you need to capitalise on this moment.

With Oriel IPO, you gain:

  • Faster access to capital.
  • Tailored tax-relief guidance.
  • Zero commission.
  • AI-driven content support.

No more waiting on institutionally-driven funds. You control the timeline, the narrative and the partnership.

Ready to tap into the £25M SEIS/EIS mental health opportunity?

Start your free trial or get a personalised demo now at https://orielipo.com/

Start your free trial • Explore our features • Get a personalised demo

more from this section