LocalGlobe

LocalGlobe, headquartered in London's vibrant King's Cross district, has swiftly become one of the UK’s most influential early-stage venture capital funds. Founded in 2019 by veteran investors Robin and Saul Klein, this father-and-son duo has built LocalGlobe around their deep understanding of the startup journey—Robin’s decades of seed investing complement Saul’s entrepreneurial experience as a co-founder of LoveFilm and Seedcamp.

LocalGlobe distinguishes itself through its long-term, “cradle-to-IPO” investment strategy, an approach that’s uncommon among European seed investors. With sister funds Latitude and Solar, LocalGlobe offers continuous backing, guiding startups from pre-seed stages right up to IPO, positioning itself as a lifelong partner rather than a one-off investor. This strategy provides founders a rare degree of financial continuity and stability through their entire growth journey.

The firm's investment thesis is broad yet focused: exceptional founders tackling significant, scalable opportunities. Sector-agnostic, LocalGlobe has backed over 200 companies across fintech, healthtech, consumer, marketplaces, and deep tech. Its notable investments read like a who's-who of UK tech successes—Wise (formerly TransferWise), Monzo, Zoopla, Citymapper, and Zego are just a few household names from their extensive portfolio.

But beyond portfolio performance, LocalGlobe’s standout trait is the unique blend of community ethos and professional excellence championed by the Klein duo. Robin and Saul Klein, whose past hits include Skype and LoveFilm, have not just built an investor network but an ecosystem that connects entrepreneurs, policy-makers, and the local community. At their Phoenix Court HQ—more tech-community campus than traditional VC office—events and networking opportunities abound, providing founders unprecedented access to a diverse array of resources and contacts.

Investment decisions at LocalGlobe heavily emphasize founders themselves—teams that demonstrate exceptional ambition, compelling personal narratives, and scalable visions tend to resonate most. Ticket sizes typically range from £500k to £2M at seed stage, with LocalGlobe commonly taking lead positions. Founders can expect swift decisions, with the firm structured to move quickly when it identifies potential, a crucial advantage in the fast-paced world of early-stage startups.

Founders describe LocalGlobe as active, engaged, yet supportive investors. Portfolio companies gain substantial strategic value through tailored assistance, including direct help with talent acquisition, introductions to follow-on investors, and support navigating operational challenges. With a dedicated Talent Partner and an extensive, influential network, their active involvement is tangible and beneficial.

LocalGlobe’s ethos extends beyond profit alone: their Phoenix Court Works foundation allocates 10% of profits to community projects in health, education, and climate change. Initiatives like the Newton program, focused on developing future venture capital talent, and partnerships with groups promoting diversity, illustrate their sincere commitment to social impact.

LocalGlobe’s thoughtful, founder-centric approach and seasoned expertise have made it a cornerstone of the UK's early-stage investment scene, a firm woven deeply into the fabric of the UK's entrepreneurial community.