Career Path

Famously discreet, Damelin is considered by some to be one of Europe’s shrewdest early-stage investors – especially when it comes to tech. Probably best known for founding the revolutionary loans company Wonga (with the stated aim of democratizing access to credit), Damelin’s main area of focus has been fintech, crypto, health and wellness as well as SaaS, marketplaces and data analytics.

Graduating from the University of Cape Town in 1992, Damelin went on to complete his studies at Boston University, earning a Master of Science in Management.

Damelin briefly worked as an investment banker, helping Israeli technology startups raise capital and do M&A but his entrepreneurial and operating instincts didn’t take long to emerge. Having joined the founding team at one of the most advanced manufacturers of steel-wire in the world, he developed the concept for Supply Chain Connect, an early online marketplace designed to support the cable and wire industry. He set out to bring the steel and cable manufacturing industries into the digital age and in 2000 he moved to London, where he still lives.

Since then, Damelin has both founded and invested in technology startups that have revolutionized multiple industries. He’s an early shareholder in over 75 digital and technology companies globally – from the UK and throughout Europe to Israel, the United States, Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, South Africa, and Nigeria. His investments have reflected a commitment to increased diversity in his portfolio, investing in women and people of color. He’s often hands-on and spends a considerable amount of time incubating his own projects.

Damelin is also a keen runner, and veteran of the Antarctic Ice Marathon among others.

Notable Investments

Errol Damelin has made more than 75 investments, including Wise, Cazoo, Purplebricks, K Health, CityMapper, YuLife, Demyst, Zoe, Sure, Farewill, Lendingkart, Modifi, UnBabel, Thimble, Elliptic, HiBob, Modifi and VivaReal.

Notable Companies Founded by Errol Damelin

He was the founder of Supply Chain Connect, a founder of the ground-breaking fintech company Wonga and served as its CEO until 2013. He also helped to co-found Tide (an SME banking start-up), and Habito (a digital home ownership and mortgage broker).