Balderton

Balderton is a venture capital firm focused exclusively on backing European-founded startups.

4.7
(14)

Independent rating of Balderton VC fund

Overall rating:
4.7
(14)
Team quality
5.0
Professionalism
Personal qualities
None
Integrity
None
Respect and decency
None
Experience
None
Relevant expertise
None
Investment process
4.5
Approachability
Clarity of the process
None
Speed of the process
Responsiveness
Ease of the process
None
Due diligence
Value add
4.8
Supportiveness
Value add beyond financing
Board activity
Terms
Founder friendly
None
Help with follow-up rounds
None

About Balderton VC fund

Founded:
2000
Number of funds:
11
Number of investments:
356
Number of exits:
72
Headquarters:
Organization type:
Venture Capital

Portfolio - latest investments by Balderton VC fund

Founders' reviews of Balderton VC fund

Team quality
5.0
Professionalism
Investment process
5.0
Approachability
Responsiveness
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
Round: Seed
Know Their Stuff
Very impressive interactions with several members of the team. Well-researched in the domain, thoughtful questions. Clear and timely feedback.
Team quality
5.0
Professionalism
Investment process
4.5
Approachability
Responsiveness
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
Round: Seed
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Kept the Ball Rolling
Didn't invest but were very helpful, friendly and professional
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
3.5
Approachability
Responsiveness
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
Round: Series A
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Shaky
We had some good conversations however they were inconsistent in their approach and in one instance the partner didn’t turn up for an agreed meeting. The associate was apologetic however this was symptomatic of our experience dealing Balderton from day 1.
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
4.0
Approachability
Responsiveness
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
Round: Pre-Seed
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Authentic Interaction
Dealt with Rob. He was frank and clear we were not a fit. Good response times. Generally a good experience even though we did not get funded.
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
4.8
Approachability
Speed of the process
Responsiveness
Due diligence
Value add
4.8
Supportiveness
Value add beyond financing
Board activity
Terms
Older than a year by portfolio founder
Round: Series A
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Never Enough Kind Words
If you want to work with highly intelligent, straightforward and honest people who will give you a lot of time and treat you fairly, then pitch Balderton. It goes without saying that Balderton (and in particular Suranga, who sat on our board) are incredibly smart people. But they are also extremely decent and supportive. Suranga and others gave us huge amounts of time, which is very valuable when you're dealing with someone as smart and articulate as him. He also introduced us to a number of amazing specialists at Balderton who helped us with legal, marketing, PR, HR and other areas. My only criticism would be that Balderton could make even more of these educational resources. I would happily have read a 300 page manual or taken an online course. I must say a particular thank you to Jerome Misso (Operating Partner) and Andrew Wigfall, Balderton's Head of Legal. They guided me through some very choppy waters, dedicating a lot of time to issues they frankly shouldn't have to deal with. I'll remember that generous treatment. You also meet a lot of other incredibly smart and effective founders, which is a massive plus to having a gold standard VC for an investor. Balderton led two funding rounds into our business and they were always very quick, smooth processes. Communication was fantastic (big contrast with other VCs) and feedback was candid and useful. That all set the tone for the post-investment experience. Our business ultimately did not deliver the returns which Balderton invested for, but that never changed the amount of time we were given or the way we were treated. From the moment we first met them all the way up until the business was sold, Balderton were extremely decent to us, and I think that counts for a lot, especially compared to other well known funds who do not have that reputation. I learned a lot from them, and I'm very grateful.
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
5.0
Approachability
Responsiveness
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
Round: Series A
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Top Tier
Balderton are the best. Warm, smart, and made up of quality operators who understand the challenges founders really face.
Not reviewed
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
Not reviewed
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
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Composed and Smart
Met with them for the first time in Berlin (at a Capital On Stage Conference):
Not reviewed
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
Not reviewed
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
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Received Offer but Rejected Terms
This was with the team as Benchmark some years ago. Valuation and management shake-up weren't acceptable to the existing investments and executives.
Not reviewed
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
Not reviewed
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
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Barry Maloney
Very straight shooter.........no nonsense...........very sharp and quick to understand your business. Had a few meetings but didn't materialize beyond that. But would like to work with these guys.
Not reviewed
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
Not reviewed
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
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Pitching to Associates Ok
I pitched to their associates. I was very impressed with their knowledge of our sector, compared to other VCs.
Not reviewed
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
Not reviewed
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
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Not at Balderton Anymore
I heard that Klaus Hommels does not make any new investments with Balderton anymore. Does anybody know more"
Not reviewed
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
Not reviewed
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
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Johan Brenner: Good First Impression
I just talked to Johan Brenner, who is partner and unfortunately not mentioned as Fund Team Member. The talk was efficient, honest and interesting. They have also overcome their exit weekness, because they just sold MySql to Sun (if the deal goes through ....).
Not reviewed
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
Not reviewed
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
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Bears No Comparison to Benchmark Us
Very different fund from the US fund whose name they used for years. Very nice people who are easy to deal with.
Not reviewed
Team quality
Not reviewed
Investment process
Not reviewed
Value add
Not reviewed
Older than a year by non-portfolio founder
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Very Quick From Pitch to Funding
Dealing with Balderton (formerly Benchmark Europe) was a real pleasure. Pitched mainly to Barry Maloney and Klaus Hommels, both of which were sharp and to the point. Pitch to term sheet in record time, albeit a bit weak on terms. Working with them after funding is also a pleasure, they are very easy-going, at least in our case.
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