After more than 12 wonderful years, this will be my last month @IndexVentures.
When I joined in 2013, Index was just beginning its journey to build the first truly transatlantic VC firm. We'd just opened our SF office, an ambitious goal for a European upstart taking on the titans of Sand Hill Road. Our brand colour was blue. Single-digit billions were impressive exit valuations, not early funding rounds. The European ecosystem was finding its feet. Back then, I was just getting to know the founders of our new seed investments: Revolut, Deliveroo, Figma and Robinhood.
In the decade-plus that followed, I was lucky enough to work with more than 200 founders and their teams, bring entrepreneurs together at countless events in Europe and the US, organise 13 Index AGMs, launch 13 funds, and build Index Press. I also led two policy campaigns for Index: Not Optional and @euinc_petition — the first time a VC in Europe directly campaigned for, and won, legislative change in support of startups.
Behind each of these was a mammoth team effort: the work of my colleagues, the support of many external champions, the trust of the Index partners, and collaboration that goes well beyond the walls of Index.
As I say goodbye to the firm Bloomberg recently called “Silicon Valley’s Quiet Kingmaker”, my main feeling is one of gratitude: to the Index crew I learned so much from, the startups I was lucky enough to work with, the journalists who listened to my seventeen-thousandth pitch, the politicians who did something that earned them exactly zero votes, and the founders who dived with me — often for the first time – into the world of brand and comms.
I'll admit, I'm addicted. This world has my heart. Working with people mad enough to shape the future never gets boring.
Thank you ❤️
Pleased to be back in London after @British_Airways BA673 had to abort landing at @HeathrowAirport because the approach was intercepted by a @metpoliceuk@NPASLondon helicopter. Coincidentally our BA672 last week had to abort before touchdown after being blown off course.
They sent me a link that shows that Heathrow is holding 27 kindles from last week alone. How I am supposed to decipher which one is mine — and if it is in London or LA (likely LA) — is beyond me. Talked to fellow passengers who said they never managed to recover any forgotten items. The lack of care from BA is baffling.
@British_Airways I forgot my Kindle on a flight to LAX. I called your lost and found number +13102945065 for more than a week and left multiple voicemails. Nobody ever answers or calls back.
Your customer service response: “I'm afraid all we can advise is to keep trying.”
cc @HeadForPoints
Today is a special day for Index, as @wiz_io celebrates its $32B acquisition by Google. To Assaf, Ami, Roy, Yinon, and all the Wizards who made this possible—congratulations! It’s been an honor to partner with you, and we know the best is yet to come.
We just got off the call with @EUCssrMcGrath.
Thank you, Commissioner, for your continued leadership on EU–INC.
What matters now, is getting the details right.
EU–INC’s implementation must match the level of ambition of European founders, and we are there to help you succeed.
🚨 The UK now has the best stock option scheme of any major economy.
🇬🇧 Following changes introduced today in the UK Budget, Britain has the most attractive employee ownership scheme of all major economies, making it easier for startups to attract and retain the talent they need to succeed. #notoptional
🇫🇮 Three conversations you shouldn't miss at @SlushHQ this week
1️⃣ @supercell x Index: Nov 19 at 2:16pm, Founder Stage
@narimer and Supercell CEO and co-founder @ipaananen, in conversation with Slush CEO @ainobergius. In a world obsessed with failing fast and overnight success, what does it take to build companies that truly last? → Live stream: https://t.co/k4J230HesU
2️⃣ @livekindred x Index Nov 19 at 3:23pm, Impact Stage
@GeorgiaS_IV and Kindred CEO @JustinePalefsky on building a 220,000-member community where people share their real homes. How do you embed genuine human connection into a startup's DNA?
3️⃣ @temporalio x Index: Nov 20 at 1:32pm, Impact Stage
@sahirazam (former CPO of MongoDB) sits down with Temporal CTO @mfateev (ex-Uber, Amazon, Microsoft, Google). Temporal recently hit a $2.5bn valuation and is one of Index's fastest-growing companies. Maxim shares non-negotiable principles for technical founders and why every engineering team is talking about ‘durable execution.’
Europe doesn’t lack ideas. It lacks permission to move fast! Entrepreneurs should be celebrated, not slowed down - because when businesses can compete and innovate, everyone wins. We're backing @euinc_petition to help Europe rediscover its competitive edge.
We’re thrilled to welcome Sahir Azam as our newest partner! A true dot-connector across product, engineering & GTM, Sahir helped scale MongoDB and brings an interdisciplinary perspective that will be invaluable to founders. So good to have you, Sahir!
https://t.co/ZRgdqSb1id