It's our anniversary… Here's our zero to £100m journey...
Exactly a year ago, cocreatd didn't exist. Today, we've co-founded 11 companies worth over £100m+ combined.
The headlines:
* 15 entrepreneurs joined us
* 1 x exit / 1 x IPO
* 48.8x return on invested capital
* 7/10 companies profitable
* 42% blended EBITDA margin
We did this 95% self funded. That's personally funding every founder and team we believe in.I'm not an expert, but if we were an actual fund, I suspect you'd be hard-pressed to find a better performing one in the world, certainly for capital efficiency within 12 months.
Which brings me to how?
It starts with not knowing better. We are not a VC. We don't have what I call the "curse of knowledge". Being naive has been our fuel.
It's always baffled me that VCs built a business model assuming almost everything fails. Yes, there's the 1000x moonshot, but that's not reality for 99% of funds.We're not passive - we build companies. Always have. I love company building, love working with great people I learn from. We're in the trenches, obsessing over everything from typography choices to those small corporate decisions that "future you" thanks you for.
We also are willing to back people who don't fit the VC stereotype. We're in a technology moment where AI is rewriting the rulebooks - it's not just technical talent that can build great businesses anymore.
We've taken ideas to IPO on the main market in 6 months. Creation to exit in 8 months. But we also know there's also nothing wrong with building great profitable small businesses that don't need millions thrown at them to see if they work. Constraint is the mother of innovation. Throwing capital at broken things just hides the flaws.
Lastly, we REALLY CARE When you're investing your own money / life, you certainly better!
Now this all sounds like a brag, and in part it is…But I lived in the US for a few years and admired their willingness to be their own biggest cheerleader. Britain built empires but seems in a rut of talking itself down. We need more of that audacious US spirit here!
We've worked 7 day weeks. Been rejected over and over. Been doubted. The predictable uncertainty of building businesses means the highest highs followed by disputes, partnerships falling through, and sharing the entrepreneurial burden with so many people. It's heavy at times...But my GOD, we're blessed to choose our own struggle!
The reality is we couldn't have done this without our amazing founders and teams. People who trusted us, believed in something that didn't exist yet. Our founders have barely scratched the surface of their potential. This next year, we swing bigger!
Thank you to my partners, our founders, our teams and anyone who's supported us.cocreatd started 365 days ago.
We were delusional then, and we're even more delusional now.
If you want to take a swing, join us, or start a company we want to hear your pitch: email us: contact@cocreatd.com
Write up in Startups Magazine here.