Katharine is an Associate on the Investment team in London, where she works on sourcing, due diligence and portfolio management for early-stage companies. She is the market lead for UK & Ireland.
Katharine McCallum
Katharine is an Associate on the Investment team in London, where she works on sourcing, due diligence and portfolio management for early-stage companies. She is the market lead for UK & Ireland.
Seeing the future up close
Living in Beijing in 2018 opened my eyes to the speed at which technology can democratise content and lower barriers to access. From education to food delivery, payments, and entertainment, everything I did moved onto WeChat, Meituan, and Alibaba. It was my first glimpse of how quickly behaviour changes when technology truly solves a problem and it sparked a fascination with consumer adoption and interconnectivity that has stayed with me ever since.
From IPO back to the beginning
I began my career in tech investment banking at Goldman Sachs in New York and then London. Microsoft shortcuts were mastered over long nights working with incredible teammates for the world’s most disruptive technology companies. I learned what best-in-class execution looks like at scale, the importance of team building and company culture, and the sheer grit and resilience it takes to build a multi-billion dollar company. My favourite projects were with founder-led companies on their path to going public and beyond, but I wanted to start at the very beginning, as a long-term partner.
Facts inform, but stories inspire
From seed to IPO, storytelling is an art. Founders are translators - able to take complex technology and make it resonate with customers, investors, and their own team. It’s not just about having the facts; it’s about weaving them into a narrative that inspires action. I’ve seen markets disrupted and new categories created not by the loudest voice, but by the most compelling story - the one that makes people feel they have to be part of it. As investors, we get to be both audience and collaborators, helping shape the chapters while supporting founders to realise their visions.
Winning is always a team effort
I have played team sports all my life. The best startups operate like high performing sports teams: high accountability, velocity, shared goals, resilience, and diversity of skills and perspectives brought to the table. When every person is both pushing their limits and pulling for each other, extraordinary things happen.
Nothing beats a live event with friends
On the weekends, you can often find me watching live music or sport with family and friends. Whether it’s a packed stadium in New York or a gig in London, I find the energy infectious and love being in a space full of people with a shared passion - not so different from why I love working with early-stage founders!
