1818 Venture Capital

📣📣 𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬!! 📣📣   It’s official: our portfolio company, ActiveQuote, has been acquired by Howden! 🎉   Since our first investment in 2014, we’ve watched ActiveQuote grow into one of the leading comparison website and broker of health and protection insurance market in the UK. Founded in Cardiff in 2009 by Richard Theo, the company has expanded its team to over 130 and established partnerships with numerous trusted insurance providers to deliver exactly what thousands of customers need.   ActiveQuote is a great example of the type of portfolio company we love to invest in at 1818 Venture Capital: FinTech businesses developing innovative and market-leading digital tools in order to provide better and more cost-effective consumer outcomes. ActiveQuote has revolutionised price discovery, choice, and access, in a previously opaque area of the insurance market.   Huge congratulations to the entire ActiveQuote team on this well-deserved milestone. It's incredible to see how far you've come, and we're so proud to have been part of this journey with you!                                                                                        Read more about the exit below 👇👇   #VentureCapital #Exit #InsurTech #SuccessStory #1818VentureCapital

💳 How is FinTech Democratising Access to Wealth? When we think of FinTech, impact and sustainability aren’t usually the first things that come to mind. But the truth is, FinTech isn’t just about convenience or profit; it’s about creating opportunities for all. Financial exclusion is a major barrier to economic growth and personal prosperity. From democratising access to investments to offering personalised financial advice, FinTech innovations are essential in tackling generational poverty and fostering a more inclusive future. Read our first Medium article to explore: 🔹 The role of technology in making wealth management accessible to all 🔹 How our portfolio companies like Wealthify and Sidekick are levelling the playing field 🔹 The importance of financial education and robust security in the digital age We'd love to hear your thoughts! Share them in the comments below. Read the full article on Medium 👉 https://lnkd.in/gVv8Wz-i #FinTech #FinancialInclusion #Investing #WealthManagement #1818VentureCapital

What our portfolio companies have been up to this summer ☀️   While some of us have been enjoying some well-deserved time off, our portfolio companies have been working hard to hit their next milestones.   Here are just a handful of updates that we’re thrilled to share:   🇫🇷 Laka has launched in France and is now available for all D2C customers in the region. If you live in France, DM us for a promo code!   🚌 RideTandem | B Corp™ has celebrated 2 million passenger journeys – enough trips to take the entire population of Fiji to and from work.   📱 Duel Tech has been named a finalist in the Global Influencer Marketing Awards in the 'Best Micro-Influencer Campaign’ category.   💳 Currensea surpassed their crowdfunding target in just four hours and is now rated 4.9/5 stars on Trustpilot, based on 10,000 reviews.   ⚡ Sidekick’s CEO and Co-Founder, Matthew Ford, won the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award by Europe FinTech Awards. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from our portfolio companies, and enjoy the rest of your summer! #1818venturecapital #VC #FinTech #FinTechstartups

The RAW Mortgage Fund turns 9! 🎂🎉 We had a blast celebrating this milestone with our sister company, RAW Capital Partners, last week. It was a fantastic evening full of laughter, smiles, and reminiscing about how far the Fund has come in nearly a decade! 💡 A recap on The RAW Mortgage Fund 💡 The RAW Mortgage Fund connects borrowers seeking property financing solutions with investors looking for attractive investment returns. Targeting borrowers interested in quality residential properties across major towns and cities in the British Isles, the Fund has consistently delivered positive returns every month since inception and is well-positioned for continued growth. 📈 Some stats we’re proud of 👇 1️⃣ 9-year performance track record 2️⃣  46% average loan-to-value ratio 3️⃣ All loans backed by a first legal charge 4️⃣ Over £185m assets under management 5️⃣ Invest from £10,000 A well-deserved celebration it was! Follow the link in the comments to become a part of the story 🔗 #1818VentureCapital #VC #RAWCapitalPartners #Investment

Are Emerging Managers the Future of Venture Capital❓ Emerging managers have a transformative impact on venture capital – and we’re not the only ones who think so. A recent report by PitchBook, ‘Establishing a Case for Emerging Managers’, provides significant evidence that emerging managers contribute substantially to driving successful returns in funding innovation. Here are some key takeaways from the report 👇 1️⃣ Superior Performance Potential: Despite higher volatility, top-performing emerging managers have consistently outperformed more established managers since the late 1990s. Their ability to achieve higher median IRRs clearly illustrates their innovative strategies and dynamic approaches work. 2️⃣ Unique Investment Theses: Emerging managers frequently employ specialised strategies, leveraging in-depth expertise in niche markets and emerging technologies. This focused approach allows them to identify and capitalise on unique investment opportunities that others might overlook, leading to significant upside potential. 3️⃣ Resilience and Adaptability: Emerging managers have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability, particularly during challenging economic periods. This adaptability enables them to invest in high-quality opportunities, often at more favourable valuations. 4️⃣ Aligned Interests with LPs: Emerging managers often have smaller fund sizes, which increases their incentive to perform and aligns their interests closely with those of their LPs. This alignment drives them to deliver exceptional results. Based on our experience and achievements at 1818 Venture Capital, we do believe that Emerging Managers are the Future of Venture Capital! Link to full report in the comments 👇

🤝 Post-Investment Communication Matters At 1818, our commitment to portfolio companies goes beyond initial funding. Leveraging decades of relevant experience and a vast industry network, we assist with crucial introductions, help secure strategic partnerships, and have even facilitated successful exits. We prioritise long-term partnerships over mere transactions. But, it takes two to tango. To offer this support effectively, we need to be kept in the loop about what’s happening on the other end. That’s why we encourage our portfolio companies to maintain constant, transparent communication and provide regular updates to all investors. Why It Matters: ●     📊 Building Trust: Transparent communication fosters strong relationships with investors, giving them confidence to support you in future rounds. ●     💼 Operational Efficiency: Regular updates keep everyone aligned, streamlining operations and decision-making processes. ●     🌐 Strategic Guidance: Detailed and honest updates enable investors to offer valuable strategic guidance and support. Tips on providing updates to investors: 1️⃣ Update regularly: Consistently share news with your investors, even when things aren’t going smoothly. 2️⃣ Be transparent: Be honest about challenges and setbacks. Transparency fosters trust and allows for better problem-solving. Investors genuinely want you to succeed, so don’t wait until it’s too late. 3️⃣ Ask for feedback: Keep your investors engaged by asking for advice and seeking their input on strategic decisions. 💡 Key Takeaway: We believe that clear and consistent communication is key to building strong partnerships. This approach has proven successful for our portfolio companies in achieving long-term success. If you have any questions about what to include in investor updates, let us know in the comments. 👇 #1818VentureCapital #Investment #FinTech #FounderAdvice

🚀 Join Our Team at 1818 Venture Capital! 🚀 We're on the hunt for a passionate Operations Executive to join our close-knit team in Guernsey! If you're enthusiastic about startups and eager to make an impact in the FinTech investment world, this is the perfect opportunity for you. 🌟 Why Join Us? ✅ Be at the Heart of Innovation: Work closely with early-stage, innovative tech companies and be part of their growth journey. ✅ Growth & Development: Benefit from extensive upskilling opportunities and support to pursue professional qualifications. ✅ Hybrid Working: Enjoy a flexible work environment that offers opportunities for remote work (but please note that the role is based in Guernsey!) ✅ Team Spirit: Participate in frequent socials and occasional away trips with our fantastic team. If you have strong organisational skills, a knack for problem-solving, and a passion for the startup ecosystem, we want to hear from you! 📅 Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so don't wait! 👉 Apply now on LinkedIn: https://whttps://lnkd.in/ekZspS6Z Join us and help drive innovation in the FinTech sector! #1818VentureCapital #VCJobs #FinTechJobs #Guernsey  

Last week, we welcomed James Lynn, Co-Founder of our portfolio company Currensea, to the 1818 HQ in Guernsey! We enjoyed two fabulous, sunny days with James as he shared his incredible journey in creating the UK’s top-rated travel debit card with our network. He also gave us a sneak peek into exciting new developments, including the launch of Europe’s first Co-Brand ‘loyalty’ debit card! We also had some great conversations about our current focus on FinTech innovation in the UK and Middle East, with more major news to be announced in the coming months. Special thanks to James for visiting us in Guernsey and for the inspiring insights. If you're interested in attending our next event, get in touch! 🚀 #FinTech #Innovation #Currensea #VentureCapital #1818VC

1818 Backs Sidekick to make Private Wealth less private 🚀 We're very excited to finally announce that we have welcomed Sidekick to our portfolio! Sidekick has successfully raised £4.5m and secured an additional £4m via a debt facility. The combined £8.5m will help them scale their team, expand their product range, and secure a European licence. 💡 What Makes Sidekick Unique? Sidekick is on a mission to democratise access to financial products and services that are currently only available to High-Net-Worth investors with existing private banking relationships. Targeting the younger mass-affluent generation, Sidekick provide access to a comprehensive suite of expertly managed, personalised portfolios, including high-yield savings accounts, and a competitively priced line of credit to provide liquidity when needed. They’re also planning to introduce alternative assets classes, such as private equity, private credit, and venture capital. 👥 Meet the Founders Matt and Pete share a ten-year partnership across four fintech startups in the wealth and challenger banking sectors, and already have two impressive exits under their belt. 👤 Matthew Ford, Co-Founder & CEO Matt is a seasoned entrepreneur and fintech founder, previously CEO of Pariti (sold to Tandem Bank) and most recently Partner at Mouro Capital. 👤 Peter Townsend, Co-Founder & CTO Pete is an experienced technology leader who has led teams at several high-growth fintech’s in the UK and North America. 💷 Why we invested? At 1818, we see Sidekick as a game-changer in wealth management – especially considering their early traction and engaged Founding Member Community. Their experienced team, combined with an innovative approach to providing liquidity through investment portfolios, sets them apart. With plans for expansion across multiple geographies and a strategic D2C/B2B2C distribution model, we believe Sidekick is set for significant growth and impact in the financial services industry. We are excited to support Sidekick in their mission to democratise wealth management and address wealth inequality in a meaningful way. Stay tuned for more updates as Sidekick expands into European markets! Read more about their exciting journey below! 📈 Octopus Ventures Seedcamp Pact TheVentureCity BlackWood Semantic #FinTechInnovation #1818VentureCapital #FinTech #WealthManagement

🎉 Big News at 1818! We're excited to announce our latest investment in StudentCrowd, the ultimate 'Tripadvisor' for Higher Education! 🚀 Since its inception in 2014, StudentCrowd has established itself as the UK’s leading platform for university, course, and accommodation reviews. With over 1.7 million unique users last year alone, the platform's verified and independent reviews have become an indispensable resource for students navigating their Higher Education choices. "In 2014, we noticed the lack of authentic and useful information to help students make life-changing decisions - which university, which course, and which accommodation. StudentCrowd emerged from the conviction that prospective students need to hear real stories from current students. Fast-forward 10 years, we have created the only platform covering all UK universities, degree courses, purpose-built student properties, and university cities and towns. Every option is open for reviews, making StudentCrowd a go-to resource for anyone seeking firsthand experiences." - Paul Humphreys, Co-Founder and CEO of StudentCrowd. About the Founders: 👤 Paul Humphreys, CEO & Co-Founder: Brings a wealth of expertise in data science and digital marketing, ensuring StudentCrowd leverages the best data and tools to guide students. His commitment to authenticity has earned him a spot on the Higher Education Commission (House of Lords). 👤 Pete Sisson, CTO & Co-Founder:Boasts over 20 years of experience in software development and team leadership. His passion for creating a high-performing culture has been instrumental in StudentCrowd's success. Our investment will help StudentCrowd expand internationally, enhance their platform, and broaden their product offerings, further strengthening their position as a market leader. We are excited to support StudentCrowd on their journey to becoming the world’s largest decision-making platform in Higher Education. Welcome to the Team, StudentCrowd! 🎉 #Investment  #HigherEducation #Startup #InvestmentNews #1818VentureCapital