Firstminute Capital

High-Level Overview

Firstminute Capital is a London-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests globally in high-growth startups, primarily at the seed and pre-seed stages. Their mission is to back founders with "magnetic ambition" who are building era-defining technology, providing not just capital but also strategic support and a strong community network. The firm focuses on sectors including fintech, healthcare (healthtech), e-commerce, AI, deeptech, SaaS, and more, aiming to identify and nurture startups with the potential to become global technology leaders. With over $500 million assets under management and backing from more than 130 unicorn founders, Firstminute Capital plays a significant role in accelerating startup growth through early, meaningful investments typically ranging from £1 million to £3 million[1][2][4][6].

Origin Story

Founded in 2017 by Brent Hoberman and Spencer Crawley, both experienced entrepreneurs and investors with successful exits and multiple unicorn investments, Firstminute Capital was created to be a founder-first seed fund. The firm has evolved to manage around $500 million in assets and has expanded its team to 14 investors and operators across the UK and Europe. Their focus has remained on early-stage investments, with a broad sector approach but deep expertise in AI and deeptech verticals. The founders’ backgrounds in building and scaling startups inform their hands-on, founder-centric investment philosophy[1][2][6].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Firstminute Capital acts as the very first institutional investor ("first cheque") in startups, emphasizing early engagement to maximize impact.
• Network Strength: Supported by over 130 unicorn founders, the firm leverages a powerful community to provide portfolio companies with introductions, hiring support, and fundraising assistance.
• Track Record: Over 170 portfolio companies, including notable names like Wayve, Mistral, and Storyblok, with 11 unicorns backed at seed stage.
• Operating Support: Beyond capital, they offer strategic guidance, fundraising help, and operational support, positioning themselves as long-term partners from day one.
• Sector Agnostic but Deep Expertise: While generalist, they have strong vertical expertise in AI applications and deeptech, enabling them to identify game-changing technologies early[2][4][6].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Firstminute Capital rides the wave of increasing global demand for early-stage funding in technology sectors that are reshaping industries, such as AI, fintech, healthtech, and e-commerce. The timing is critical as European and global startups seek seed capital with strong operational support to compete internationally. Their model of combining capital with a deep founder network and hands-on support helps bridge the gap between idea and scale, influencing the broader ecosystem by enabling more startups to reach unicorn status. Their presence also strengthens the European venture capital landscape, fostering innovation and cross-border collaboration[2][3][6].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Firstminute Capital is poised to continue expanding its portfolio and influence, particularly as AI and deeptech sectors accelerate. Their commitment to being the "first call" for ambitious founders and their strong network position them well to back the next generation of global tech champions. Trends such as AI democratization, fintech innovation, and healthtech digital transformation will likely shape their investment focus. As they deepen their community and operational support, their role as a catalyst for startup success in Europe and beyond is expected to grow, reinforcing their mission to be Europe's most helpful seed fund[4][6].