James Sored
New Ventures Director at Antenna Digital Ventures
James Sored
New Ventures Director at Antenna Digital Ventures
Cambridge, England
Overview
Work Experience
New Ventures Director
2023 - Current
Antenna Digital Ventures, Your Expansion Partner Antenna Digital Ventures specialises in catalysing the growth of consumer-focused digital businesses. If your venture boasts previous successes and aims to access untapped regional demand, we're here to make you the number one choice in the CEE region. Our Vision Antenna Digital Ventures is committed to introducing innovative and impactful businesses to Central and Eastern Europe. We continuously work on new projects and look forward to collaborating with you to amplify your regional presence. Our Approach We partner with you to expand your business together. Usually launching in Greece, Hungary or Romania as part of phase one and then looking to expand into multiple countries as we reach further into the region. This “land and expand” approach reduces risk and allows for a rapid but controlled growth plan. Notable Achievements - Vice Media: We pioneered bringing Vice Media to linear TV, culminating in an eight-figure business in the region. - Thrive Global: Our partnership with Thrive Global led to a 25x valuation increase over four years, validating our strategic influence. - Pricefox: Our joint venture with the Samlino Group, Pricefox is now a leading price comparison platform in Greece, achieving +80 NPS and steady double-digit monthly growth.
Shareholder
2014
THE NEW ALTERNATIVE TO BANK SAVINGS A simple, transparent and rewarding way to invest. Secured peer-to-peer lending, backed by tenanted British homes. www.landbay.co.uk
Shareholder
2010
Creator of a unique battery exchange technology that allows "refuelling" in the same time taken to refuel a current petrol car. The technology also allows part filling thus reducing weight carried an increasing efficiency.
Shareholder
2007
Shareholder
Principal
2020 - 2023
We target the number 1 killer of start-ups, poor product-market fit. We like to prove market demand before investment, often actually selling the prospective investee’s products before investment. We are entrepreneurs investing in entrepreneurs - In the US 60% of VC s are entrepreneurs, in the UK it is only 8%. We know what it takes to be successful - the partners have 8 exits under their belts already as investors and entrepreneurs. We are hyper-focused - we use our first-hand knowledge to select companies that have what it takes to grow revenue rapidly on a pathway to exit We invest early - we select investments based on our deep sector expertise and invest pre-Series A when valuations are still attractive. Ticket We currently invest between £500k and £1.5M into pre-series A companies. Focus We invest in companies with a significant presence or benefit to the UK.
Director
2010 - 2023
Phoenix Boot Camp introduces a new weight loss and fitness philosophy. As our name suggests we are based on the concept of regeneration but there is nothing mythical about our approach! We teach practical and sustainable techniques to help you reclaim your fitness and reshape your future. Whether you are determined to lose weight, increase your fitness or just get away for a rewarding break, we can help.
Member Board Of Directors - Fund Management
2018 - 2022
We are dedicated to building the most effective environment for great companies to meet great investors. Our key areas of focus are Regulatory & Policy, Private Investors, Advisors and Fund Management. We are proud to be helping improve, shape and accelerate the growth of UK SME, the backbone of our economy.
Fund Manager
2016 - 2019
Smart Beta for Early stage investing - Fund Twenty8 The fund is the first passive EIS fund for early stage investments. It will deliver a multi-sector and large portfolio for investors. We believe Fund Twenty8 addresses two key areas currently underserved by the EIS fund market. A lack of sector diversification within a fund and a failure to benefit from a wide portfolio approach investing. Traditional early stage funds usually focus on a single sector (exposing investors to sector-specific risks) and usually only invest in 5 to 8 investments per fund. We feel there is a need in the market for a multi-sector and large portfolio fund for early stage investments. That's why we created Fund Twenty8. www.syndicateroom.com/fund-twenty8 Fund Twenty8 offers investors access to a diversified portfolio with at least 28 investments per fund and across multiple sectors.
Chief Investment Officer
2014 - 2019
Invest in UK growth companies alongside the professionals - all opportunities are led by experienced investors, VCs or syndicates who invest their own money at the same price and class of share as you.
Director
2011 - 2014
These innovative product lines allow customers to actually play a game on their chocolate bar. We are now in discussions with large retail brands, manufacturers as well as bespoke short run manufacturers. With a passion to keep manufacturing in the UK we are seeking contact from possible UK manufacturing partners.