Apr 18A starter kit for building community strategyFor years now, I’ve led or sat in on brainstorming sessions with many different types of company in my angel portfolio and network — from virtual student study startups to web3 gamers to data storytelling nonprofits to venture firms — where each is trying to answer the same question: How…Community Management5 min read
Dec 29, 2021On autumn 2021, and time out“What are you working on right now?” “Are you on sabbatical? Does that mean you’re going back to your old job?” “Are you taking time out? Why?” So many questions like this recently, and I always hear a hidden set of questions and anxieties behind them — on money, productivity…4 min read
Jun 21, 2021Celebrating the end of Campus LondonIt’s hard to explain to younger people how different the London tech scene used to be, even ten years ago. Like when you explain you used to call someone’s house to find out if they were in. Back in the mid-Noughties, a man emailled my blog, asking if I’d write…London5 min read
Jun 9, 2021A few months ago, a complete stranger gave me $10,000. Here’s what I did with it.When I worked in magazines, almost twenty years ago, something we always held true was that sales went up twenty per cent when the words “secret” or “mystery” were on the cover. It taps into basic human psychology; we want to know something others don’t. It’s for this reason more…Micro Grant6 min read
Feb 3, 2021Our Year in Responsible TechCrossposting from Omidyar Network; cowritten with Aniyia Williams Back in 2018, we started funding the rise of the responsible tech worker. This is our effort to help tech workers and founders step into their power, and build a world in which technology makes good on its promise of improving everyone’s…Responsible Tech6 min read
Jan 4, 2021What I learnt taking part in Atomico’s angel programThis time last year, January 2020, I was announced as one of Atomico’s picks for their second angel program. …Angel Investors6 min read
Sep 11, 2020The responsible tech movement is held back because we don’t know what to call itThe technology industry is broken. Regular people like us–or users, as tech calls us– know this. Government knows this. People working in tech know this. Omidyar Network knows this, and that’s why we’re funding a diverse group of thinkers and doers focused on various paths to improve the industry. A…Ethics In Tech5 min read
Sep 2, 2020To build responsibly, tech needs to do more than just hire Chief Ethics OfficersMe for Techcrunch, Sept 2020 In the last couple of years, we’ve seen new teams in tech companies emerge that focus on responsible innovation, digital well-being, AI ethics or humane use. Whatever their titles, these individuals are given the task of “leading” ethics at their companies. Whether they’ve been created…Ethics In Tech3 min read
Sep 1, 2020Europe needs an angel investing revolutionMe for Sifted, Sept 2020 What makes a healthy, thriving startup scene? Five years ago, when I was at Google leading Campus, their East London space for entrepreneurs, our partners at UP Global/Techstars released a popular whitepaper that emphasized how essential five elements were; talent, regulation, density, capital and culture. …Angel Investors4 min read
Aug 17, 2020How to design for delight and connection during a pandemicIn 2020, we’ve had to depend on technology more than ever before. The products and platforms we use have become lifelines to working, ordering food safely, finding important information, connecting with friends, socializing, learning and more. …Technology2 min read
