Analysis

July 15, 2019

Does Europe need VCs who’ve actually run startups?

Just 8% of UK venture capitalists have experience working at or running a startup. That's bonkers — or is it?


Amy Lewin

5 min read

At top-tier venture capital firms in the US, 60% of investors have experience working at — or running — a startup. In the UK, just 8% of investors have experienced first hand what it’s like inside a fast-growing company.

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Graphic of Diversity VC report.
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Photo of Christian Owens, founder and CEO of software startup Paddle.
Christian Owens, founder and CEO of software startup Paddle.
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Photo of Alex Depledge, founder of online architecture practice Resi.
Alex Depledge, founder of online architecture practice Resi.
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Amy Lewin

Amy Lewin is Sifted’s editor and host of Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast . Follow her on X, LinkedIn and Bluesky

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