Our team
We’re a mixture of operators, ecosystem builders, career investors and product experts. We’re based remotely from Scotland to Shoreditch.
Our portfolio companies have access to everyone in our network, driven by their needs and ambitions. Whether its interaction with policy makers; viral growth; approach to PR; or building an ecosystem playbook, we’re on hand to support.
The whole team reviews companies that want to partner with ADV. Founders can get in touch with the team here.
David Fogel
David Fogel: Ran the Wayra accelerator in the UK working closely with a large portfolio of startups to get them ready for investment and scaling.
Previously ran b2b sales for a startup and spent time in banking as well as running defence systems for the Israeli Navy. David helps our portfolio figure out early stage funding options and b2b sales strategy.
Based in London.
Mike Dimelow
Mike Dimelow, CCO: Mike spent 10 years at Arm (acquired by SoftBank for £24bn); to add to his experience with Nokia and T-Mobile.
His role at Arm was to position the company at the centre of the silicon ecosystem alongside deep tech companies of all sizes. Mike brings world-leading experience of navigating the early years of a deep tech journey; as well as a network of relationships from Apple to Arm.
Based between Sheffield & London.
Keith Teare
Keith Teare, US Partner: Serial entrepreneur over the last three decades (RealNames, EasyNet and TechCrunch). Spent more than 20 years in Silicon Valley building companies and angel investing.
Keith is experienced in helping European companies prepare for US expansion and approaching top tier US VC firms. He helps our portfolio companies think about their unit of value; their narrative; and their follow-on fundraising plans.
Based in Palo Alto.
Fiona Melville
Fiona Melville, External Relations Lead: Former policy advisor to Activision UK and advisor to the Conversative Party.
Fiona’s experience in politics and advisory roles for tech organisations is second to none. She helps our portfolio companies which are navigating regulated markets globally.
Based in London.
Jonathan de Groot
Jonathan de Groot, Finance & Strategy Lead: Former Finance Director at IronSource (Israeli unicorn).
Jonathan worked for the Israeli Treasury and teach team at PWC. He then did an MBA in Cambridge. He helps our portfolio think about scaling unit economics and the fundraising journey they need to go on for the future.
Based in Cambridge.
Tong Gu
Tong Gu: Co-founded her own startup in Beijing and scaled the team as COO.
Before that Tong spent five years in TMT investment banking in London. After a brief period working for an early stage fund she then joined ADV. Tong has a deep understanding of AI/ML and helps our portfolio plan for expansion to China.
Based in London.
David Carr
David Carr, COO: Led AOL’s expansion into Europe. David’s an accountant by trade but an operator at heart.
He teamed up with Lee (our CEO) on 2013 to launch Dotforge (impact accelerator) before cofounding a big data company called CitiLogik which is still growing today. David spends time with our portfolio focusing them on their unit economics and how they can scale operations over time.
Based between Oxford & London.
James Foster
James Foster: Formerly Investment Manager at Northstar Ventures.
James made a tonne of investments in the North East of England with Northstar. Before that he was an Insight Analyst at Sage (tech giant from Newcastle). He’s a trained accountant and helps founders we partner with raise their money quickly.
Based in Newcastle.
Timo York
Timo York, Product Lead: Former Head of Product for Sky Bet after senior product roles at EE and Orange.
Timo’s experience of building and scaling a broad range of products spans 10 years. He helps our portfolio companies think about the future of their platforms and has a wealth of connections in the industry.
Based in Sheffield.
Ryan Procter
Ryan Procter, Marketing Lead: Previously Marketing Lead at Tech Nation.
Ryan is our resident millennial and spent three years at Tech Nation building out their products and startup communities across the UK. He has a great understanding of how to build communities through marketing and PR strategy.
Based in London.
Andrew Sloane
Andy Sloane: Formerly a partner at Morrison’s Solicitors which is a startup focused law firm where he advised startups on all matters as they scale up (no matter how difficult).
Before that he ran the Scottish Co-investment Fund and has supported some of the country’s best tech companies.
Based in Glasgow.
Reem Mobassaleh Wyndham
Reem Mobassaleh Wyndham: Formerly Tech Investment Lead at Mubadala (Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund).
Launched her own jewellery company and has made a bunch of angel investments. Helps portfolio companies think about navigating the Middle East and works closely with our Fund Partners.
Based in London.
Lee Strafford
Lee Strafford, CEO: Co-founder of PlusNet which was acquired by BT. Since then Lee has been angel investing and mentoring startups across Europe (including cofounding Dotforge – impact accelerator).
He co-founded ADV to give ambitious European entrepreneurs access to patient backing and a network of supporters. Lee helps our portfolio think about their future; building virality at their core; and brings his engineering head where necessary.
Based between Sheffield & London.
Carol Axe
Carol Axe, Operations Lead: Former COO of Sheffield Wednesday FC and former Director of Operations for Stericycle.
Carol has vast experience managing large budgets and contact centre operations. She helps our portfolio companies think about communicating with customers at scale.
Based in Sheffield.
VIDAR HOKSTAD
Vidar Hokstad, Enterprise Architect: Serial CTO in Silicon Valley.
Vidar is one of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to emerging technology in the team. He is our enterprise architect but spends time with our portfolio helping them think about technical challenges they’re facing.
Based in London.