Q&A with angel investor Tommy Stadlen

Tommy Stadlen is a Founding Partner of Giant Ventures. He previously co-founded Swing Technologies, maker of a photography app, which was sold to Microsoft in 2017. Stadlen, 32, a Londoner who formerly worked as a speechwriter for Barack Obama, recently invested in Block, a sustainable home renovation company.

It’s all about the founder

Ideas are cheap and the concept tends to evolve, so your job as an early-stage investor is primarily to identify the quality and resilience of the entrepreneur. 

Experience matters

Proven second-time founders are much more likely to succeed than someone with no experience.

Britain’s got talent

I felt I had to be in Silicon Valley when I started my company. Five years on, the UK tech ecosystem is unrecognisable. We finally have a start-up culture that can stand on the shoulders of this country’s in-built advantages. London sits at the intersection of technology, creativity and commerce, fuelled by talent from the world’s top universities.

Lessons

The most successful start-ups are often those that divide early opinion. It’s difficult — and vital — to reject groupthink and Fomo when picking investments.

Wish I saw more . . .

Companies saving the world. Huge rewards await leaders who can tackle issues such as obesity, climate change and road accidents.

Wish I saw fewer . . .

Stellar founders building the wrong companies. I aim to be frank with entrepreneurs if I think this, however awkward the conversation. If you can persuade them to change path, it might save a potential superstar five years’ wasted endeavour.

Next disrupted industry

The next wave of “direct-to-consumer” disruption to hit retail will focus on underserved communities and highly specific demographics, instead of mattresses and make-up for affluent New Yorkers.

To read more on where we invest, take a look at our Manifesto. Or check out the team at Giant, our current portfolio giants, or read more of our insights.