Discover if this is a suitable investor for your startup. If they are we'll make a warm introduction for free. Otherwise, we'll connect you with matching investors.
Connect Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2016 and based in London, England. The firm focuses on supporting early-stage product companies, particularly those led by exceptional founders. With a strong emphasis on product-led growth, Connect Ventures has established itself as a key player in the European venture capital landscape.
The firm manages an $80 million fund, which was closed in June 2020, and is currently raising its fourth fund, also targeting $80 million. Connect Ventures has a portfolio of six companies and operates primarily in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The firm is backed by notable limited partners, including British Patient Capital, De Agostini, and Molten Ventures.
Connect Ventures has achieved notable milestones, including successful exits from companies like Citymapper, Typeform, and TrueLayer. The firm is known for its hands-on approach, taking board seats in portfolio companies and providing strategic guidance to help them grow.
Connect Ventures primarily invests in early-stage product companies, particularly in sectors such as AI, FinTech, and SaaS. Their investment strategy targets pre-seed and seed stages, focusing on companies that are building solutions to problems they personally experience. The firm seeks to back founders with global ambitions who prioritize product and user experience as critical differentiators in their respective markets.
The check sizes range from $150,000 to $3 million, with a preference for rounds up to $5 million. Connect Ventures emphasizes a thesis-driven approach that values opinionated products crafted with care and loved by users. They operate with a conviction investing model, making fewer investments each year but with larger bets on selected companies.
Connect Ventures has a diverse portfolio of six companies, showcasing their focus on innovative technology-driven businesses. Notable portfolio companies include:
In addition to these current investments, Connect Ventures has notable exits including Citymapper, Typeform, Soldo, TrueLayer, Curve, Kheiron, and Fiit, which highlight their successful track record in the venture capital space.
Pietro Bezza: Co-founder & Managing Partner. Pietro has extensive experience in venture capital and has led investments in several successful startups. He focuses on product-led growth and strategic guidance for portfolio companies.
Sitar Teli: Co-founder & Managing Partner. Sitar has a strong background in technology and entrepreneurship, having worked with various startups across Europe. He emphasizes the importance of product and user experience in investment decisions.
Rory Stirling: General Partner. Rory brings a wealth of experience in early-stage investing and has been involved in numerous successful exits. He focuses on identifying promising startups and supporting their growth.
Katy Turner: Operating Partner. Katy has a background in operations and product management, providing valuable insights to portfolio companies on scaling their operations.
Claire Walker: Head of Marketing. Claire oversees marketing strategies for Connect Ventures and supports portfolio companies in their marketing efforts.
Mark Pettit: CFO. Mark manages the financial operations of Connect Ventures, ensuring sound financial practices and reporting.
Amira Naik: Head of Finance. Amira is responsible for financial planning and analysis, supporting the firm's investment strategies.
To pitch Connect Ventures, founders should visit their website at connectventures.co. It is advisable to include a concise deck that outlines the problem being addressed, the product's unique features, and the team's qualifications.
Connect Ventures prefers pitches that are straightforward and focused on the product and user experience. Founders should expect a response within a few weeks, and while warm introductions are beneficial, they are not strictly necessary.
Connect Ventures runs the "Built By Few" summit, which showcases product companies and their founders across Europe. This program aims to connect founders with potential investors and industry experts, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Eligibility for participation typically includes being a product-led startup in the early stages of development. Interested founders can apply through the Connect Ventures website for more information on upcoming events and application processes.
In September 2023, Connect Ventures announced the initial close of their fourth fund, targeting $80 million, with a commitment of £20 million from British Patient Capital. This fund aims to continue their focus on early-stage product companies across Europe.
In June 2020, Connect Ventures closed their third fund at $80 million, which has been instrumental in supporting their portfolio companies, including notable exits like TrueLayer and Typeform.
Connect Ventures has been actively building its portfolio, with recent investments in companies like Mosaico and Nexcade, which align with their focus on innovative technology-driven businesses.
What are Connect Ventures' investment criteria?
Connect Ventures invests in early-stage product companies, particularly in sectors like AI, FinTech, and SaaS. They focus on pre-seed and seed stages, looking for founders who are addressing personal challenges through their products.
How can I pitch to Connect Ventures?
Founders can pitch their ideas through the Connect Ventures website at connectventures.co. It is recommended to include a clear explanation of the problem being solved, the product's unique value proposition, and the team's background.
What makes Connect Ventures different from other VCs?
Connect Ventures emphasizes a hands-on approach, often taking board seats in portfolio companies to provide strategic guidance. They focus on fewer investments each year, allowing them to make larger bets on selected companies.
What is the geographic scope of Connect Ventures?
The firm primarily operates in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States, focusing on innovative technology-driven businesses in these regions.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Connect Ventures typically invests between $150,000 and $3 million in rounds up to $5 million, aligning with their focus on early-stage companies.
What kind of post-investment involvement does Connect Ventures have?
Connect Ventures takes board seats in their portfolio companies, providing strategic guidance and leveraging their experience in product-led growth to support founders.
All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and brands does not imply endorsement.