40 Minute Mentor

August 7, 2024

Gideon Valkin: From ClearScore & Monzo to building a $12m solo GP fund

Today’s 40 Minute Mentor is Gideon Valkin, former Monzo and ClearScore Commercial Leader, Investor and Entrepreneur.

Following 15 years as a Founder, Operator and Investor, Gideon is now combining being a Founder and Investor in the launch of Andrena Ventures – a $12m solo GP fund.

Andrena is investing $100k-$400k tickets at pre-seed and seed into teams coming from the UK and European ecosystem, focusing on backing the most talented FinTech alumni.

In these 40 minutes, you’ll find out…

“Founders deserve Investors that have relevant operating experience, time to help them and can be impartial and objective in the advice they give.”

Gideon Valkin

Tune in to discover

The Investors Founders deserve [03:00]

Upbringing & values that shape Gideon today [04:00]

Learning fundamental lessons from Tennis [10:30]

From Founder to Operator [14:15]

Overcoming the most challenging times [17:45]

Working alongside Tom Blomfield and Justin Basini [20:50]

Raising a solo GP fund [27:30]

A solo GP approach to working with Founders [29:00]

Important qualities in a Founder [32:15]

A look into the future [39:30]

Listen on

Helpful links

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Follow Gideon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gideon-valkin-05a44823?originalSubdomain=uk

Enjoyed this episode?

Keep up to date with all our latest episodes, by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy the most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.

Explore more episodes

19 Dec, 2025

James Mitra on Season 14: Reflecting on 300+ episodes & what’s next for 40 Minute Mentor

40 Minute Mentor

17 Dec, 2025

Alex Depledge MBE on taking a Founder’s Mind into the Government & why the UK is a great place to scale

40 Minute Mentor| Social Mobility

12 Dec, 2025

Talent Predictions for 2026: How to attract and hire the best talent in the year ahead with Amplified People Group’s Sophie Graci, Zach Rose, James Adams and Lisa Crane

40 Minute Mentor| Hiring| The Future of Work

40 Minute Mentor

August 7, 2024

Gideon Valkin: From ClearScore & Monzo to building a $12m solo GP fund

Gideon Valkin

Tune in to discover

Listen on

Helpful links

Enjoyed this episode?

Explore more episodes

You can listen to all 40 Minute Mentor episodes on:

Resources

Browse