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Yvonne Bajela secures $17m for UK and European startup fund
Yvonne Bajela has closed an oversubscribed $17 million first fund for Evertrue, her new early-stage investment firm focused on the UK and Europe. After more than a decade in venture capital, she plans to use the fund to back promising startups as AI reshapes how companies are built and creates new opportunities for investors.
Evertrue has already invested in seven companies and plans to back at least 20 over the next three years, with average investments of about £350,000. Bajela had initially aimed to raise around $13 million but capped the fund to avoid pressure to invest simply because more money was available. Five institutional backers include the British Business Bank and Basecamp; about 80% of Evertrue’s investors are UK-based.
In short
- Yvonne Bajela closed Evertrue’s first fund at $17 million.
- The firm has backed seven startups so far.
- Evertrue plans to invest in at least 20 companies over three years.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A new early-stage fund led by an experienced investor could bring capital and expertise to promising UK and European startups, helping them grow as AI changes how businesses are built. The strong demand for Evertrue, including support from UK institutions, may also signal confidence in the region’s founders and strengthen its investment ecosystem.
The case against
A $17 million fund is modest relative to the scale of the opportunity, and its plan to back at least 20 companies means each can receive only limited early support. Investors may also reasonably question whether enthusiasm around AI will translate into durable returns, and whether a new firm can identify and support the most promising startups amid intense competition.
Explained simply
Venture capital firms invest in young companies that may grow quickly, usually in exchange for a share of ownership. Early-stage investors provide money when a business is still developing its product or finding customers, when it may be harder to secure funding from traditional lenders.
Evertrue is a new investment firm founded by Yvonne Bajela, who has worked in venture capital for more than a decade. It plans to invest in startups in the UK and Europe, with backing from a mix of institutional investors and other fund investors.
The fund’s approach matters because the amount raised and the pace of investment can shape which young businesses get support. Its plans come as artificial intelligence is changing how companies are built and creating new areas of potential investment.
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Originally published by TechCrunch as “Yvonne Bajela is bringing $17M in fresh capital to Europe’s startup scene”.