Entrepreneurs First, a global talent investor and company builder, has secured $200 million in new funding at a $1.3 billion valuation.
- Launched in 2011 by Alice Bentinck and Matt Clifford, Entrepreneurs First is a global talent investor that helps individuals build startups from scratch, often before they have a team or a concrete idea. The firm selects high-potential founders, supports them in finding cofounders, and provides mentorship, access to resources, and initial funding of $250,000 per company.
- EF also offers follow-on funding up to $5 million, office space in key startup hubs, and guidance on entering international markets. Its portfolio, now valued at over $16 billion, includes companies such as Aztec, Cleo, Magdrive, Neptune Robotics, Omnea, Opply, PolyAI, and Tractable.
- The fresh capital will be used to grow Entrepreneurs First’s global programs, fund new early-stage startups, and strengthen its network of talent investors and advisors. The plan is to scale operations, support founders from their first ideas, and expand into key startup hubs to help more companies launch and secure follow-on funding.
"We are entering a golden age of entrepreneurship: AI gives founders superpowers and EF’s founding mission was made for this moment: we exist to make companies happen that otherwise wouldn’t; to ensure the world doesn’t miss out on its best founders," claims Matt Clifford, co-founder of Entrepreneurs First.
- The fresh capital came from legendary founders and investors, including Charlie Songhurst, Patrick Collison, John Collison, Eric Schmidt, Claire Hughes Johnson, Mati Staniszewski, Aidan Gomez, Jeff Dean, Sara Clemens, and Barney Hussey-Yeo.
