James Wise
InvestorPartner at Balderton Capital · Board director at Sketchfab
London
Writes $1M – $20M checks · typically $10.5M
About
James Wise, the youngest partner at a European Series A fund after an early promotion, emphasizes long-term founder relationships over near-term exits and authored Start-Up Century on entrepreneurship's societal effects.
Contact· published on James's own website
Invests in
AI & Machine LearningConsumerFintechHealthtechSaaS
Board director at Sketchfab
Intro paths
→
In turn, James can intro founders to Sketchfab's investors below.
Sketchfab's investors · 6
Co-founders at Sketchfab
CP
Cédric PinsonExecutive Officer, Director
AD

Alban DenoyelCo-Founder & CEO
PP
Pierre-Antoine PassetCo-Founder & CPO
Experience
- Balderton CapitalPartnercurrent2012 — present
- Department for Science, Innovation and TechnologyChair, Sovereign AI Unitcurrent2025 — presentUnited Kingdom
- Prior LabsBoard Membercurrent2025 — presentFreiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Kaia HealthBoard Member2018 — 2026Munich, Bavaria, Germany
- GoCardlessBoard Observer2015 — 2025Greater London, England, United Kingdom
- ForecastBoard Member2022 — 2025London Area, United Kingdom
- ConvergenceBoard Member2024 — 2025London Area, United Kingdom
- SOPHiA GENETICSBoard Member2017 — 2021
- SketchfabBoard Member2014 — 2021
- DepopBoard Member2016 — 2021Greater London, England, United Kingdom
- 3D HubsBoard Member2014 — 2021Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
- PusherBoard Member2018 — 2020
- OpbeatInvestor2015 — 2017Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark
- Sunrise CalendarBoard Observer2014New York
- Social Business TrustPortfolio Director2011 — 2012
- Atomico VenturesSummer Associate2011
- McKinsey & CompanyConsultant2008 — 2010
Skills & more
Strategy41Venture Capital96Management Consulting42Business Strategy33Private Equity45Start-ups99Start-up Consulting13Early-stage Startups16Entrepreneurship81Finance8Corporate Development13Portfolio Management10
+12 more
Social EnterpriseCreative WritingEmerging MarketsSweepingSkydivingStrategic ConsultingSocial EntrepreneurshipValuationDue DiligenceCoffee MakingSpecialty CoffeeInvestmentsFrom James's professional profile.
Deals · 1
3D HubsBoard seat
via Balderton Capital · filed May 2019 · $19.6M raise
Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.
Colleagues at Balderton Capital
Adam Critchley
Head of Compliance at Balderton Capital
Adrian Rainey
Operating Partner at Balderton Capital
Aidan Corbett
Investor at Balderton Capital
Andrea Roda
Principal at Balderton Capital
Andrew Nutter
Principal at Balderton Capital
Andrew Wigfall
Executive in Residence at Balderton Capital
Annabel Guthe
Investor Relations Associate at Balderton Capital
Barney Hussey-Yeo
Investor at Balderton Capital
Frequently asked questions
- Who is James Wise?
- James Wise, the youngest partner at a European Series A fund after an early promotion, emphasizes long-term founder relationships over near-term exits and authored Start-Up Century on entrepreneurship's societal effects.
- Where does James Wise work?
- James Wise is Partner at Balderton Capital and Board director at Sketchfab.
- What does James Wise invest in?
- James Wise invests in AI & Machine Learning, Consumer, Fintech, Healthtech, SaaS.
- What check size does James Wise write?
- James Wise typically writes checks of $1M – $20M.
- What boards does James Wise sit on?
- James Wise holds tracked board seats at 3D Hubs.
- Where did James Wise go to school?
- James Wise studied at University of Oxford (MA, Politics); Manchester Grammar School.
Same school
Also attended University of Oxford989
Reid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockMichael MoritzFormer Partner at Sequoia Capital; Senior Adviser at Sequoia HeritageBrad GerstnerFounder & CEO of Altimeter CapitalGabriel PereyraCo-founder & President of HarveyDominic JacquessonInvestor at Index VenturesErin Price-WrightInvestor at Index Ventures
+ 983 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology16
Tom PageHead of Investor Relations at Cambridge Innovation CapitalIlana WisbyEntrepreneur in Residence at Cambridge Innovation CapitalGemma SiddallInvestment Associate (Sustainability) at University of Cambridge EnterpriseLouise VilladsenManager at The Footprint FirmTony RavenChair of Board and Consultation Committee at UK Innovation & Science Seed FundAlison CampbellInvestor at UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund
+ 10 more
Also worked at Prior Labs4
Also worked at Kaia Health9
Olivia MattaInvestor at SUPPLY CHANGE CAPITALReilly HeineDirector, Platform at Oak HC/FTVijay BarathanPartner at Optum VenturesChristian Lindegaard JepsenPartner at Heartcore CapitalPeter LasingerFounder and Partner at 3VCDainielle ThompsonExecutive Assistant at AUTHENTIC VENTURES
+ 3 more














































