'Forecast Features' series is a chatty and informal deep dive into Forecast's network of professionals. Listen live to hear about successes, wobbly moments and everything in between on the steps to success.
Fill out the form below to watch the recording
On our second episode, we welcomed James Wise, Partner at Balderton Capital, one of the largest VCs in Europe.
Balderton are generalist software investors, managing in total about $4.5 billion with a portfolio of businesses including Forecast, Revolut, GoCardless and Depop.
However, James focuses more closely on productivity and health, for example SaaS platforms that make human beings more productive, and help us to live happier, longer lives.
James takes us through his experience studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University and how in his early career a passion for working with small businesses and entrepreneurs started.
Listen to find out more about his deep understanding of Venture Capital, advice for software businesses looking to raise funding, and (potentially most importantly) his lockdown hobby of importing his own branded Japanese Sake Whiskey!
Chief Revenue Officer | Host
Rob leads all of our commercial efforts at Forecast. He has over 15 years experience with high-growth B2B start and scale-ups in the software industry. He has built global commercial teams in both North America and Europe. Most recently with Wunderkind (BounceX) and Opt-Intelligence. He graduated with a dual Major in Psychology and Political Science from Syracuse University.
Partner
James joined Balderton in 2013. Since then, he has led Balderton's investments in a number of sectors and geographies, with a specific focus on security, enterprise and healthtech. He sits as a board member and observer for multiple portfolio companies including Depop, GoCardless, Sophia Genetics, Detectify and Kaia Health, and has been involved in the sale of companies to Amazon, Microsoft & Elastic.
Prior to joining Balderton, James helped to launch and run one of the UK's first social venture funds, providing support and capital to social enterprises. He has worked with entrepreneurs and businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and as a consultant with McKinsey & Company.
As well as the professional experiences above, James is a trustee at Dot.Everyone, a charity that advocates for responsible approaches to using new technologies, and served in 2011 as a Specialist Adviser to Parliament.
James has an MA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University and has lectured for the University on aspects of responsible capitalism and the social impact of technology.