Balderton Capital has appointed Adrian Rainey as its new Operating Partner. Rainey will work closely with Balderton’s Limited Partners and oversee the firm’s internal operations.
He will also provide support to Balderton’s portfolio founders through the initial investment process, subsequent fundraisings and key milestones on their journey to growth.
Rainey joins Balderton with more than 17 years of experience in venture. Prior to joining the firm, Adrian was a Partner in Goodwin’s Technology group advising emerging companies and investors on equity and venture debt financings and M&A. Before he joined Goodwin, Rainey was a Partner at Taylor Wessing where he was head of its UK corporate technology practice.
Bernard Liautaud, Managing Partner at Balderton, says: “We’re delighted to welcome Adrian to Balderton Capital at such a significant and exciting time for the firm, following the launch of our first Growth fund in June. Adrian brings almost two decades of experience supporting companies from startup to exit. His pragmatic approach and deep knowledge of everything from early-stage fundraising through to exit transactions will make him an invaluable asset to our team, our Partners and our portfolio companies.”
Rainey qualified as a lawyer with Linklaters before specialising in providing legal services for companies in the tech, venture capital and innovation sector. He has a degree in History from Oxford University.
Rainey says: “Having spent many years working in the venture capital sector, I am delighted to be joining Balderton at a time when European technology is reaching new heights. The ecosystem has never been stronger, and we are seeing unprecedented levels of success for entrepreneurs and their teams; I am thrilled to be joining a firm and a partnership that is dedicated to supporting those founders and helping them to realise their global ambitions.”
Rainey takes over from Jerome Misso who is retiring after 20 years in the role of Operating Partner, having helped shape Balderton into the pan-European firm it is today. Jerome will remain on call to partners and portfolio companies as he takes up a new role as Special Advisor to the firm.
Misso says: “Working with some of the most innovative companies and committed founders of this generation has been one of the many highlights of my time at Balderton. Tech is at the forefront of our economy and it has been a privilege to be involved in this sector for the last two decades. My role will change but my enthusiasm for Balderton itself and its portfolio companies will not, and I look forward to continuing with the firm in my new position.”
