A red laterite road through the Botswana bush at sunset, vanishing toward the horizon — the visual identity of Dust Road Ventures.

Operator Capital.

Dust Road Ventures — Operator Capital for Seed-Stage Founders

Scroll ↓
The Thesis

Why this firm exists.

Dust Road Ventures writes first or second cheques at seed stage in fintech, AI, health-tech, and enterprise software — backing founders with deep domain expertise building technology the market does not yet know it needs.

The road narrows. The tarmac ends. The GPS loses signal. You are somewhere between the last town and the next idea, and the only thing ahead is a track that somebody drove before you, once, in the dry season. This is where the best investments begin.

“He thinks about start-ups like Zaha Hadid thinks about buildings.”
Founding Partner, European VC fund

What we look for.

Founders with deep domain expertise. Technology the market does not yet know it needs. Large, broken markets where execution alone is the moat. The willingness to keep driving when the road runs out — and the conviction to know which way to point the wheels.

“You are always smarter and more energised after you have met Errol.”
Founder, European growth fund

What we bring.

The founder built three companies — Supply Chain Connect, Wonga, and Tide — before becoming a full-time investor. Operational experience in scaling, regulatory navigation, enterprise sales, board construction, and follow-on strategy. The miles on the clock are the credential.

“Beloved by the founders he works with.”
Founding Partner, European VC fund

How we invest.

First or second cheques. No fund cycle, no LP pressure, no artificial timelines. Capital that is patient because it is permanent. Family money deployed with founder-first conviction.

“A no bull shit investment style and is super smart.”
Partner, Global Founders Capital
A sand track winding through Kalahari grassland under a vast acacia-dotted sky.
The road narrows. The tarmac ends. The GPS loses signal.
75+
Investments
3
Companies Founded
Since 2011
Investing
Selected Portfolio

The names are the argument.

Wise — invested pre-revenue. Purplebricks — first investor. Tide — co-founded. And sixteen more.

  • Wise Pre-revenue
  • Tide Co-founded
  • Purplebricks First investor
  • HiBob
  • Cleo AI
  • K Health
  • Earnin
  • Elliptic
  • Cazoo
  • Citymapper
A two-rut track running through Botswana grassland toward a single tree on the horizon — the classic dust road.
Where dust roads lead.
“I wish for every founder that they had you, given the impact you continue to have.”
Portfolio company CEO

Get in touch.

Direct. No forms, no Calendly, no chatbot.

errol@dustroad.vc