Connectd partners with Blue Lake VC

Latest funding sees a meeting of minds in a bid to democratise the investment ecosystem

Connectd, a growth management network connecting startups, investors and advisors has secured funding from several investors including Blue Lake, a progressive VC which supports international startups to break into the UK investment ecosystem.

Connectd’s mission is democratise the investment sphere, connecting startups with investors and advisors through smart matching technology, eliminating the discriminatory factors traditionally at play, such as background, ethnicity or professional network. There is a strong synergy with Blue Lake VC which invests and supports pre-seed and seed stage exceptional immigrant founders in the UK, with both organisations championing diverse startups and egalitarian approaches to funding.

Connectd was created by CEO, Roei Samuel, who was inspired by the struggles he faced as an early-stage founder.

“As someone who didn’t fit the conventional mould of a founder, I found barriers in my way at numerous points with my first Startup. Connectd is built on giving fair and unprejudiced access to investment and advice, something which mirrors Blue Lake’s essential foundations. Their support for international and immigrant founders is making a real difference in the investment space and really enriching the UK startup sphere. We’re thrilled to have secured investment from a company which so closely aligns with our ideals and aims.”

Blue Lake was founded by David Gilgur and Lyubov Guk in 2019, initially focussing on helping Ukrainian startups connect with UK investors. Since then, Blue Lake’s scope has broadened to actively seek and support international startups looking to raise and expand in the UK.

“I am extremely proud that Blue Lake is supporting Connectd team early on their journey. I genuinely believe Roei and team are tackling serious inefficiency in the early-stage startup space helping startups attract early investments and advice. We actively use Connectd ourselves which is a go-to instrument to meet exceptional early-stage companies. Glad to be a part of your story, Roei and the Team!”