Baillie Gifford
Edinburgh-based manager with deep late-stage private company investing alongside public markets.
Baillie Gifford is the rare VC that actually practices what they preach about long-term thinking - they held Tesla through multiple near-death experiences and SpaceX when everyone thought Elon was crazy. They're not your typical Sand Hill Road fund; they're Scottish, patient, and genuinely contrarian. The flip side? They can be painfully slow to decide and their bar is astronomically high. If you're looking for quick Series A money or need hands-on operational help, look elsewhere. But if you're building something that could reshape an industry and want investors who won't panic during rough patches, they're gold.
- —Best for: Visionary founders building decade-defining companies who want patient capital
- —Watch out for: Slow decision-making and sky-high standards for taking meetings
- —Known for: Legendary conviction and holding positions through extreme volatility
Baillie Gifford backs exceptional entrepreneurs building transformative businesses with decades-long investment horizons. They focus on companies that can fundamentally change how the world works, not just incremental improvements.
Growth and late-stage investor with occasional Series A plays. Heavy focus on tech/software, biotech, mobility, and sustainability. Portfolio skews toward companies already showing strong product-market fit with clear path to massive scale.
Legendary growth investor who led Tesla and Amazon investments early. Known for contrarian bets and holding positions for years despite volatility. Founders respect his conviction but note he's very selective.
Co-manager of Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust, one of UK's largest growth funds. Tech-focused with deep knowledge of software and platform businesses. Reputation for thoughtful, long-term thinking.
Healthcare and life sciences specialist who joined from pharmaceutical industry. Known for spotting biotech winners early, including Moderna pre-pandemic. Highly technical due diligence approach.
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