In conversation with Europe's top venture investors & innovators

Co-founded and led Onfido from zero to $100m ARR, sold in 2024 as the UK's largest-ever AI exit. Now founder of ollo, an agent-building platform for non-technical teams.

CEO of ARIA, the UK's new agency for high-risk, high-reward research. Previously ran DARPA's Information Innovation Office and created the cybersecurity programme named DARPA's most influential of the decade. Former Tufts CS department chair and Stanford PhD.

Co-Founder and CEO of Universal Quantum, a UK headquartered company building transformational quantum computers that will help humanity solve some of its biggest challenges. A professor of Quantum Computing and Entrepreneurship at the University of Sussex, Sebastian authored the world's first blueprint for constructing a large-scale trapped-ion quantum computer, unlocking world changing applications.

Built Channel 4 Ventures from scratch into one of Europe's most active consumer venture investors — 75+ investments, a £100m+ portfolio, and £1.6bn of third-party capital invested alongside, all at zero cash cost to Channel 4. Portfolio includes Pinterest, Carwow, Raylo and Chip, plus 50+ personal angel investments through MMC, Parkwalk and JamJar. Named a top consumer investor in the Sifted 100 (2026).

Founded Interline, an operator-led venture platform backing the next generation of consumer brands across beauty, wellness and lifestyle. A consumer operator and active investor with 15+ years across retail, brand building and finance, Nasreen also advises a select number of portfolio brands directly.

Co-founder of Startupbootcamp, the largest early-stage investor outside the US, having helped build and scale 1,800+ companies globally. Now Managing Partner at Founder Factor, investing in top YC startups pre-demo day, and a Partner at Rainmaking, which has built 40 startups of its own. 25 years across strategy consulting, private equity and venture building, including 15 acquisitions, refinancings and exits.

Closed 22+ deals worth over $4bn since starting her career at KKR. Now works on AI Finance at Anthropic and runs Ajmera Advisory, bringing hands-on AI expertise to private equity, venture capital and hedge fund clients. Recognised by Business Today as a Global Leader of Tomorrow.

Backed 130+ startups and 30 VC funds as an angel investor, primarily supporting women-led ventures across the UK, US, Europe, India and Africa. Also a partner at Denham Capital, focused on the energy transition.

Invested over £200m in portfolio companies as Principal at Fink Family Office and Senior Partner at Empirical Ventures, investing across life sciences, deeptech and fintech.

Founder of South East Angels, the most active angel group in the region, named Game-Changing Investor of the Year (Startups Magazine '26), her community invests £2.5M yearly into early-stage startups. Herself investing in various startups throughout her journey and passionate about professionalising angel investing, Kristina founded the Angel Investor Summit and runs Future Angels, a programme helping more women become investors.

Heads Secondaries at Isomer Capital, focused on VC secondary investments. Previously launched a VC secondaries fund in the Middle East and executed global secondaries deals at Coller Capital. Began her career in banking at Citi and Mizuho, and has also built her own marketplace startups. Holds an MSc in Finance from LSE.

Founded SFC Capital in 2012 and has been its CEO ever since, the group have been widely recognised as the UK's most active early-stage and seed-stage investor. Stephen trained as an accountant before turning to entrepreneurship, building his own software companies to 300+ people through to exit. Founding member of the Company of Entrepreneurs, and the recipient of numerous awards to SFC's name.

Co-founded Cadro, a technology-driven wealth and investment management firm named 'Gamechanger of the Year' at the 2025 Citywealth Magic Circle Awards, where she now serves as CEO. Three decades in UK financial services, with senior roles across investment banking and wealth management along the way. Also sits on the Investment Committee of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and the Advisory Board of Bookmark Reading Charity.

Angel investor behind Monzo, GoCardless, Attio and Marshmallow. Leads London venture investing at Maven Capital (600+ companies backed, £1bn+ deployed), following leadership roles at HSBC Innovation Banking and fintech Uncapped ($330m raised).

Partner at Dream Ventures, a VC firm spun out of a US family office. Dream follows a founder-focused thesis, backing elite founders from Late Seed to Series B.