Early-stage investor Hussein Kanji joins Midas List Europe

The founding partner of Hoxton Ventures, Hussein Kanji (LBS MBA 2007), has become a member of the august Midas List Europe.

Midas List Europe is a data-driven list, and publishers, Forbes, each year works with TrueBridge Capital Partners to identify the top 25 startup investors who have made the biggest, and boldest bets, from high-profile IPOs to still-private unicorns.

The list counts investments in private companies that have raised funding at a valuation of $200m or more, or that have gone public or been acquired for at least $100m, within the past five years. Extra weight is given to realised and more recent returns.

Interviewed recently by journalist Rashi Shrivastava in Forbes, An ‘Outsider’ In European VC, Midas Newcomer Hussein Kanji Wants To Bring Silicon Valley To Europe, Nov 29, 2023, Mr Kanji reports walking out of a comfortable job with Microsoft in the US in 2005, moving to London to become a venture capitalist and bring “Silicon Valley-style seed investing to Europe”. It was considered a controversial decision at the time. “People literally told me, ‘You used to be smart and then you moved to London and now we’re not sure about you anymore’,’” he says.

Initially joining the London outpost of American venture firm Accel, Mr Kanji studied for an MBA at London Business School. “I would have never discovered this golden opportunity in European venture if it wasn’t for LBS. And LBS gave me the freedom to juggle venture work at Accel and school (probably unintentionally). I am eternally grateful!” he says.

Mr Kanji set up his early-stage investment firm Hoxton Ventures in 2013 and despite the sceptics and naysayers, with three tech unicorns under his belt he’s very happy he did.

On learning of the news of Hussein Kanji joining the Midas List Europe, London Business School’s Dean Francois Ortalo-Magne said: “The importance of inspirational business leaders such as Hussein Kanji is incalculable. They drive economic growth, encourage innovation, and help to inspire and drive new ideas, products and services to the market. On behalf of London Business School, our warmest congratulations to Hussein for being inducted into the august ranks of The Midas List Europe.”