Charles Seely

Experience

Hoxton Ventures

Partner 2021 - 2025 (about 4 years)

Continue as a carry partner in Hoxton Fund III. Led pre-seed/seed investments including CuspAI, Fluent, Fabrica, Graphext, PACT, Juno, Quantrolox and Verb (Poetics). Previously... more

Cambridge Quantum

Advisor 2019 - 2021 (over 2 years)

Quantinuum

Investor 2019 - Present (about 7 years)

Pensar

Founder, CEO, Chairman 2015 - 2025 (about 9 years)

Powering the future of learning with Cognitive Science and AI. Team has been named amongst the worlds best data scientists & AI experts; customers include NASA. Renowned... more

Esos Ventures

Founder 2013 - Present (over 13 years)

Charles Seely's advisory and investment firm — early-stage AI, quantum and frontier tech.

Real Ventures

Venture Partner 2012 - 2020 (about 8 years)

Canada's leading early stage venture fund. Canadian Venture Capital Firm of the Year 2015 & 2016: Run/own Founder Fuel- YC for Canada, and TechStars Montreal AI Accelerator.... more

SGH CAPITAL

Head of US Investments (via Esos Ventures LLC) 2017 - 2021 (over 3 years)

Responsible for sourcing/executing/managing investments in 60+ early stage co's including Kalshi, Maven, Zipline, Honey etc

Venture Partner 2014 - 2017 (over 3 years)

Led/managed/sourced investments for SGH Capital in terms of US (San Francisco based).

Actarus Funds

Advisor 2006 - 2013 (about 7 years)

Slated

Advisor

BrandFever

Founder, CEO 1999 - 2000 (over 1 year)

Founded a pan-European internet company, launched in the UK, selling excess inventory of leading sports and fashion brands via flash sales. Recruited one of the leading management... more

Falling Whistles

Board Member 2011 - 2014 (about 3 years)

Slooh

Board Member 2006 - 2013 (almost 7 years)

MetroLeap Media

Advisor 2009 - 2011 (over 2 years)

Scanbuy

Advisor 2004 - 2010 (about 6 years)

Founder

BrandFever, Esos Ventures

Employee

Real Ventures, SGH CAPITAL, Pensar, Quantinuum, Hoxton Ventures

Advisor

Slated, Actarus Funds, Scanbuy, MetroLeap Media, Cambridge Quantum

Board Member

Slooh, Falling Whistles

About

Achievements

Early-stage investor & entrepreneur focused on AI, quantum & frontier tech. Track record includes 10+ exits and backing teams now valued at over $40B.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Previously General Partner at Hoxton Ventures (2021–2025). Led the $30M seed round for CuspAI (named Europe’s #1 AI startup in 2025). Continues as a Carry Partner in Hoxton Fund III.

UNICORN INVESTMENTS
• Kalshi* (Pre-seed): Now valued at $22B.
• Maven Clinic* (Seed): Valued at $1.7B.
• Quantinuum (Early): IPO, NASDAQ: QNT.
• Zipline* (Series B): Valued at $7.6B.

NOTABLE EXITS
• Honey* (Series A): Acquired by PayPal ($4B).
• BacklotCars* (Seed): $425M exit.
• Returnly* (Seed): $300M exit to Affirm.
• Podz* (First Check): Acquired by Spotify.
• SigOpt* (Seed): Acquired by Intel.
• LeapYear* (Seed): Acquired by Snowflake.
• KIT* (Seed): Acquired by Shopify.

Focused on backing founders building generational companies from day zero.

*Investments sourced and led at SGH Capital (2014–2021).

Describe the most impressive thing you've done.

Skills

Product Strategy Product Development Sales Business Strategy Team Building

Locations

New York City Silicon Valley London

Q&A

What's the most useful business-related book you've ever read?

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight. The story of the very long, painful and inspiring journey of building Nike.

Charles Seely

Charles Seely is an early-stage investor in AI, quantum and frontier tech. Early backer of Quantinuum and CuspAI. At SGH Capital, backed Kalshi, Zipline and Maven. Previously General Partner at Hoxton Ventures.