London, England
Serial founder, investor and lynchpin of Europe's startup and scaleup ecosystem.
26
Companies co-founded
40
Countries operated in
10
Unicorns backed from seed
$2.2bn
Combined exit value
41
Early stage investments
41
Early stage investments
$2.2bn
Combined exit value
10
Unicorns backed from seed
19
Advisory & mentoring roles
$3.1bn
Total operating revenues
Born in Cape Town, South Africa
Brent was born in Cape Town on 25th November and spent the first five years of his life in South Africa. His middle name, Shawzin, comes from his maternal grandfather, the entrepreneur Leonard Shawzin.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa
Brent was born in Cape Town on 25th November and spent the first five years of his life in South Africa. His middle name, Shawzin, comes from his maternal grandfather, the entrepreneur Leonard Shawzin.
ZA
Brent was born in Cape Town, South Africa, on 25 November 1968 - although you’d never know it from his accent. His maternal grandfather founded the clothing retailer Truworths, which had 650 shops across Africa at its height.
UKTN
15th January 2025
The Telegraph
26th July 2024
www.cityam.com
16th May 2024
City A.M.
16th May 2024
Longevity.Technology
9th May 2024
London Business School
29th March 2024
City A.M.
21st February 2024
Travolution
29th November 2023
More About Advertising
14th November 2023
Financial Times
11th November 2023
City A.M.
14th September 2023
Maddyness
15th June 2023
City A.M.
1st June 2023
City A.M.
1st June 2023
City AM
25th April 2023
The Times
16th November 2022
sifted
9th November 2022
Evelyn Partners
3rd May 2022
London Evening Standard
19th January 2021
Forbes
8th June 2019
Yahoo News UK
4th October 2018
Techcrunch
23rd July 2018
The Guardian
9th October 2017
Business Insider
14th September 2017
London Evening Standard
11th September 2017
WIRED
12th June 2017
Business Insider
11th June 2017
London Evening Standard
9th January 2017
Business Insider
8th January 2017
EU-Startups
24th August 2016
The World Economic Forum Digital Europe Group is focused on advancing Europe’s digital future, policy, and innovation ecosystems, while the Prime Minister's Business Sector Council is focused on fostering business gro...
2009 – Present
PROfounders Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in technology startups across Europe, focusing on businesses with disruptive models and the potential to scale.
2009 – 2016
Mydeco.com was an online interior design and furniture platform that allowed users to visualise, design, and shop for home furnishings through 3D planning tools and curated product collections.
2008 – 2010
Founders Forum is a global community and network that supports entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey. It brings together founders, investors, CEOs, and leaders to foster innovation.
2005
lastminute.com is an online travel and leisure retailer that offers flights, hotels, holidays, city breaks, and experiences, helping customers find and book deals for spontaneous and planned getaways.
2006 – 2007
Brent launches lastminute.com with co-founder Martha Lane Fox out of a “broom cupboard” at the back of his office in Portobello Road
1998 – 2006
QXL was an online auction service and LineOne was an ISP owned at the time by News Corp and BT.
1997 – 1998
Spectrum provided digital consulting services, focusing on helping businesses leverage digital technologies and strategies.
1994 – 1997
A global strategy consulting firm specializing in business and operational strategy and strategic advisory work.
1992 – 1994
Planet Fund
2022 – Present
London
Planet Fund
Provides strategic guidance to a £100 million fund investing in early-stage climate-tech startups focused on sustainability challenges. Impact - Suppo
2022 – Present
London
The Tessa Jowell Foundation
2021 – Present
London
The Tessa Jowell Foundation
"Advises on strategies for cancer care innovation and digital health advocacy. Impact - Enhanced visibility and operational outreach through strategic
2021 – Present
London
World Economic Forum
2019 – Present
Geneva, Switzerland
World Economic Forum
"Provides thought leadership on Europe’s digital future, policy, and innovation ecosystems. Impact - Contributed to shaping key WEF digital policy pap
2019 – Present
Geneva, Switzerland
Google Cloud EMEA Advisory Board
2021
California
Google Cloud EMEA Advisory Board
"Provides strategic insights on cloud innovation, startup support, and enterprise solutions. Impact - Contributed to initiatives enhancing startup eng
2021
California
Imperial College Innovation Fund
2020 – 2021
London
Imperial College Innovation Fund
Advised on investment and innovation strategies for early-stage, high-potential ventures emerging from Imperial College London. Helped guide funding e
2020 – 2021
London
ICA
London
ICA
London
University of the Arts London
London
University of the Arts London
University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future.
London
Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy is a leading world renowned gallery and art school in the heart of London.
Founders Brands Limited
180 Strand, 2 Arundel Street, London,
United Kingdom, WC2R 3DA
Company number: 15716753
VAT number: 487 5152 58
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