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Tom Smith || Thames Hudson
Hello - I am Tom Smith.
Thames Hudson supports early-stage consumer brands and technology businesses. The name comes from the rivers running through London and New York - the two cities I think of as home.
Partners work directly with me. Nothing is outsourced. Every investor match and introduction is targeted and personalised. I work on a success-only basis, aligning the interests of founders, investors and Thames Hudson.
I believe founders are the stars. My role is to connect them with the right investors and capital, while providing advice and strategic introductions that support growth.
It is a daily privilege to work with founders who have invested so much of their time, money, energy and spirit into building their businesses. Investors and advisers provide important support, but we are not the heroes.
Before Thames Hudson, I led the venture-stage consumer vertical across EMEA at Silicon Valley Bank, now HSBC Innovation Banking. I supported around 150 VC-backed companies, including Runna, Lucky Saint, SURI, Yoto, Lick Paint, Multiverse, SeatUnique and DICE.
I have also been a VC investor at Ascension VC, a VC-backed SaaS founder and an operator at a VC-backed EdTech business.
I hold a BA in Economics from Columbia University and an MBA from Trinity College Dublin, focused on venture finance. I am also a current CFA charterholder.
I have spent over 15 years as a founder, investor, venture lender, operator and banker to startups. I now use the network, knowledge and data built during that time to help founders raise capital and investors source opportunities that match what "great" looks like for them.