founders-file-logo

Brent Hoberman

locationLondon, England

Serial founder, investor and lynchpin of Europe's startup and scaleup ecosystem.

InterestsInterests

Social Change
AI / Machine Learning
Immigrant Entrepreneurship
Creativity / Innovation
Environmental Sustainability
Entrepreneurship
Cybersecurity
Digital Transformation
Wellness

Impact

26

Companies co-founded

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40

Countries operated in

10

Unicorns backed from seed

$2.2bn

Combined exit value

41

Early stage investments

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https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
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https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
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https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg

41

Early stage investments

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https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
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https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg
https://cdn-cms-prd.ff-platform.co/2025-06/Sprout.svg

$2.2bn

Combined exit value

10

Unicorns backed from seed

19

Advisory & mentoring roles

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$3.1bn

Total operating revenues

Life Story
Background

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.

1968
1973
1978
1979
1982
1988
1992
1993
1998
2000
2003
2004
2005
2008
2009
2010
2014
2015
2016
2017
2019
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

mapWorld Map

Cape Town, South Africa

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.

presPress

UKTNUKTN

Tech Nation to launch London AI Hub to bring together ‘fragmented sect

15th January 2025

London

The TelegraphThe Telegraph

Lastminute.com founder to launch anti-ageing clinic for super-rich

26th July 2024

Brent Hoberman

www.cityam.comwww.cityam.com

Brent Hoberman launches PR agency for founders of fast growing startup

16th May 2024

Brent

City A.M.City A.M.

Brent Hoberman launches PR agency for founders of fast growing start u

16th May 2024

Brent Hoberman

Longevity.TechnologyLongevity.Technology

Brent Hoberman: ‘This is longevity’s moment’

9th May 2024

Brent Hoberman

London Business SchoolLondon Business School

Work fast, iterate and be ridiculously obsessive – Brent Hoberman on b

29th March 2024

Brent

City A.M.City A.M.

Brent Hoberman’s Founders Factory hires Second Home entrepreneur as it

21st February 2024

Brent Hoberman

TravolutionTravolution

New start-up Layla announces €3M in funding for travel recommendation

29th November 2023

Image

More About AdvertisingMore About Advertising

Miroma teams with Brent Hoberman to offer new companies affordable mar

14th November 2023

Brent Hoberman - Marc Boyan

Financial TimesFinancial Times

Entrepreneurs launch global media buying and marketing agency for star

11th November 2023

Brent Hoberman - Marc Boyan

City A.M.City A.M.

Tech Nation returns: Start-up network set for comeback under Brent Hob

14th September 2023

Brent Hoberman

MaddynessMaddyness

Backed by 130 unicorn founders, firstminute capital announces $100M th

15th June 2023

Brent Hoberman

City A.M.City A.M.

Don’t fear an AI bubble – investor optimism is roaring back, says Hobe

1st June 2023

Brent Hoberman

City A.M.City A.M.

Interview: Lastminute.com founder Brent Hoberman on why it’s time Brit

1st June 2023

Brent Hoberman

City AMCity AM

Tech Nation bought by Brent Hoberman’s Founders Forum

25th April 2023

Gerard Grech

The TimesThe Times

We can handle tax rises — just give us stability, Brent Hoberman says

16th November 2022

Brent Hoberman

siftedsifted

Silicon Valley Bank acquires stake in Brent Hoberman’s Founders Forum

9th November 2022

FF London 2019

Evelyn PartnersEvelyn Partners

Brent Hoberman Always go further to find brilliant people

3rd May 2022

Brent

London Evening StandardLondon Evening Standard

Lastminute.com founder joins Sazka in National Lottery bid

19th January 2021

Brent Hoberman

ForbesForbes

Brent Hoberman: ‘European Founders Need To Work 10x Harder Than Americ

8th June 2019

Brent

Yahoo News UKYahoo News UK

Famed tech investor Brent Hoberman on why he loves dysfunctional leade

4th October 2018

Brent

TechcrunchTechcrunch

Founders Factory signs Marks & Spencer as exclusive UK retail investor

23rd July 2018

Brent Hoberman

The GuardianThe Guardian

Lastminute.com’s Brent Hoberman: 'The craziest ideas are often the bes

9th October 2017

Brent Hoberman

Business InsiderBusiness Insider

Brent Hoberman has raised another $25 million for his European startup

14th September 2017

Brent

London Evening StandardLondon Evening Standard

We catch up with Brent Hoberman and his mentee in Progress 1000 pairin

11th September 2017

Brent

WIREDWIRED

Brent Hoberman left lastminute.com and formed an empire. This is how h

12th June 2017

Brent Hoberman

Business InsiderBusiness Insider

Brent Hoberman has unveiled a new $60 million European startup fund

11th June 2017

Brent

London Evening StandardLondon Evening Standard

Brent Hoberman: Give young people the chance to build a hopeful, open

9th January 2017

Brent Hoberman

Business InsiderBusiness Insider

Why the UK Can't Turn Tech Startups Into 'Decacorns' Like Google and F

8th January 2017

Brent

EU-StartupsEU-Startups

Access to the EU and soon the single digital market is critical for th

24th August 2016

Brent

mediaMedia

    career-milestoneCareer Milestones

    Advisor
    Govt icon

    Government and the Public Sector

    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...

    caelndar

    2009 – Present

    Co-founder
    PROfounders capital logo

    PROfounders Capital

    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.

    caelndar

    2009 – 2016

    Founder
    mydeco.com logo

    Mydeco.com

    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.

    caelndar

    2008 – 2010

    Co-founder
    Founders Forum logo

    Founders Forum Group

    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.

    caelndar

    2005

    Chairman
    lastminute.com logo

    lastminute.com

    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.

    caelndar

    2006 – 2007

    Co-founder & CEO
    lastminute.com logo

    lastminute.com

    Brent launches lastminute.com with co-founder Martha Lane Fox out of a “broom cupboard” at the back of his office in Portobello Road

    caelndar

    1998 – 2006

    Business development executive
    General Org logo

    LineOne and QXL

    QXL was an online auction service and LineOne was an ISP owned at the time by News Corp and BT.

    caelndar

    1997 – 1998

    Consultant
    Default Org logo

    Spectrum Digital Consultancy

    Spectrum provided digital consulting services, focusing on helping businesses leverage digital technologies and strategies.

    caelndar

    1994 – 1997

    Consultant
    Mars & Co logo

    Mars & Co

    A global strategy consulting firm specializing in business and operational strategy and strategic advisory work.

    caelndar

    1992 – 1994

    investmentEarly Stage Investments

    advisory
    Advisory & Mentoring
    Planet.Fund logo

    Planet Fund

    Advisor

    calender-icon2022 – Present

    location-iconLondon

    Planet.Fund logo

    Planet Fund

    Provides strategic guidance to a £100 million fund investing in early-stage climate-tech startups focused on sustainability challenges. Impact - Suppo

    calender-icon2022 – Present

    location-iconLondon

    Tessa Jowell Foundation logo

    The Tessa Jowell Foundation

    Advisor

    calender-icon2021 – Present

    location-iconLondon

    Tessa Jowell Foundation logo

    The Tessa Jowell Foundation

    "Advises on strategies for cancer care innovation and digital health advocacy. Impact - Enhanced visibility and operational outreach through strategic

    calender-icon2021 – Present

    location-iconLondon

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon
    World Economic Forum logo

    World Economic Forum

    Advisor

    calender-icon2019 – Present

    location-iconGeneva, Switzerland

    World Economic Forum logo

    World Economic Forum

    "Provides thought leadership on Europe’s digital future, policy, and innovation ecosystems. Impact - Contributed to shaping key WEF digital policy pap

    calender-icon2019 – Present

    location-iconGeneva, Switzerland

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon
    Google logo

    Google Cloud EMEA Advisory Board

    Advisor

    calender-icon2021

    location-iconCalifornia

    Google logo

    Google Cloud EMEA Advisory Board

    "Provides strategic insights on cloud innovation, startup support, and enterprise solutions. Impact - Contributed to initiatives enhancing startup eng

    calender-icon2021

    location-iconCalifornia

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon
    Imperial College London logo

    Imperial College Innovation Fund

    Advisor

    calender-icon2020 – 2021

    location-iconLondon

    Imperial College London logo

    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

    calender-icon2020 – 2021

    location-iconLondon

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon
    ica

    ICA

    Advisory Board Member

    location-iconLondon

    ica

    ICA

    location-iconLondon

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon
    ual

    University of the Arts London

    Governor

    location-iconLondon

    ual

    University of the Arts London

    University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future.

    location-iconLondon

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon
    royal

    Royal Academy

    Advisory Board Member
    royal

    Royal Academy

    The Royal Academy is a leading world renowned gallery and art school in the heart of London.

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon

    philanthropy-iconPhilanthropy

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