Stride Ventures Launches 'Global Venture Debt Report 2025' In UK

The report highlights how British founders are leveraging alternative financing models to drive growth without equity dilution, a trend that continues to gain traction across key sectors

The launch event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers

Source : Pexels

Stride Ventures has officially launched its Global Venture Debt Report 2024 in London, marking a significant milestone in the global conversation around non-dilutive growth capital. The launch underscores the UK’s growing stature as Europe’s leading hub for structured startup financing, accounting for approximately 18 per cent of all venture debt and growth lending (VD/GL) activity across the continent in 2024.

From fintech hotspots in Shoreditch to emerging cleantech innovators in the South East, the UK’s startup ecosystem is increasingly characterised by capital-efficient scaling strategies. The report highlights how British founders are leveraging alternative financing models to drive growth without equity dilution, a trend that continues to gain traction across key sectors.

The launch event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, for an evening of data-driven discussion and strategic insight. Attendees explored the evolving dynamics of venture debt globally, with a particular focus on the UK’s pioneering role in shaping new financing pathways for startups.

Stride Ventures' Founding Partner Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, along with Ravneet Mann and the wider team, welcomed the community to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the future of growth lending. 

India’s VC Market

Speaking about the Indian market, Gandhi noted, “Venture debt has evolved from being a niche instrument to a mainstream asset class, empowering entrepreneurs to grow sustainably. We aim to offer a strategic lens on its evolving role and adoption across both emerging and developed ecosystems.”

Meanwhile, India’s venture capital (VC) market staged a strong recovery in 2024, registering a 20 per cent year-on-year increase to touch $12 billion in total investment, signalling renewed investor confidence and robust deal momentum. While venture debt growth was more modest, rising just 2.5 per cent from the previous year, its growing adoption points to a promising long-term trajectory within the broader startup financing ecosystem. Venture-backed startups in the country secured an average equity raise of $81.2 million during the year, while public market sales accounted for 55 per cent of total exits.