London entrepreneurs launch new matchmaking service for startups to find investors

Three London startup experts have joined forces to launch a new smart-matching service for investors and non-executive directors.

Connectd is a matchmaking service that aims to provide startups with immediate access to relevant investors, advisors, and experts, while removing any class, race, and location bias.

It has completed a beta-launch in lockdown and hundreds of UK startups have already used it with the intention of accelerating commercial opportunities and getting funding.

Since its beta launch as LinkExec in February 2020, the platform has grown 21 per cent month on month.

Its three founding members are Roei Samuel, who launched eSports platform RealSport, Nathan Weeks, who works in the NED space, and Sam Luckett, a financial strategist.

Roei Samuel, CEO of Connectd, said: “After my last startup was acquired, I started angel investing and I recognised a huge flaw in the system.

“I wanted visibility of new opportunities, but the best deals are falling into the same hands time and time again.

“Startups should be judge on the validity of the idea of the idea by someone who knows their sector, and all investors should have equal access to exciting opportunities.”

“In reality, many cannot connect with investors at all. I wanted to develop a platform that would democratise access to funding and expertise, which given the economic climate has never been more important.”