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QED

Invest in early-stage companies operating in the financial services, and financial technology sectors across the United States, United Kingdom, and Latin America.Invest in early-stage companies operating in the financial services, and financial technology
QED
Leadership team

Adams Conrad (Principal)

Alexandra Piedrahita (Principal)

Amias Gerety (Partner)

Ana Cristina Gadala-Maria (Principal)

Anne Bailey (Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff)

Ashley Marshall (Director of PR and Marketing)

Bill Cilluffo (Partner and Head of Early Stage Investments)

Camila Key Saruhashi (Partner)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Alexandria, Virginia
Established
2007
Social Media
Summary

QED Investors is a leading boutique venture capital firm based in Alexandria, VA. We are focused on investing in early-stage, disruptive financial services companies in the U.S., U.K. and Latin America. 

QED is dedicated to building great businesses and uses a unique, hands-on approach that leverages our partners’ decades of entrepreneurial and operational experience, helping their companies achieve breakthrough growth. Notable investments include Credit Karma, ClearScore, SoFi, Avant, Nubank, Remitly, GreenSky and LendUp

History

QED Investors is a venture capital firm that was founded in 2007 by Nigel Morris and Frank Rotman. The firm is based in Alexandria, Virginia, and specializes in investing in early-stage companies operating in the financial services and financial technology sectors across the United States, United Kingdom, and Latin America.

QED Investors has a unique, hands-on approach to investing that leverages the partners' decades of entrepreneurial and operational experience. The firm is dedicated to building great businesses and helping their portfolio companies achieve breakthrough growth.

Since its founding, QED Investors has made notable investments in several disruptive financial services companies worldwide, including AvidXchange, Bitso, ClearScore, Current, Creditas, Credit Karma, Kavak, Klarna, Konfio, Loft, Mission Lane, Nubank, QuintoAndar, Remitly, and SoFi.

QED Investors has been recognized for its exceptional performance and has received several awards for its investments, including the 2017 Fintech Investment Firm of the Year award from LendIt and the 2019 Venture Capital Firm of the Year award from Finance Monthly Global.

With its experienced team, unique approach, and successful track record, QED Investors is well-positioned to continue investing in innovative financial services companies and helping them achieve success.

Investment criteria

QED Investors focuses on investing in early-stage companies operating in the financial services and financial technology sectors across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Latin America. The firm has a unique investment approach and a set of criteria that it uses to evaluate potential investments.

The investment criteria of QED Investors include:

  • Disruptive technology: QED Investors look for companies that have developed a disruptive technology or business model that can significantly improve the financial services industry.
  • Experienced management team: The firm invests in companies that have experienced and talented management teams who can execute on their business plan and drive growth.
  • Strong market potential: QED Investors seeks to invest in companies that operate in large, growing markets with high potential for disruption.
  • Scalable business model: The firm invests in companies that have a scalable business model that can generate significant returns over time.
  • Competitive advantage: QED Investors looks for companies that have a unique competitive advantage, such as proprietary technology, intellectual property, or a strong brand.
  • Regulatory compliance: The firm invests in companies that are compliant with all relevant regulations and have a solid understanding of regulatory risk.
  • Financial strength: QED Investors looks for companies that have a strong financial position, including solid revenue growth and profitability potential.

By using these criteria, QED Investors can identify high-potential companies and provide them with the capital, expertise, and network they need to succeed.

Values
  • Integrity: QED Investors values honesty, transparency, and ethical behaviour in all of its business dealings. The firm believes that these qualities are essential to building strong relationships with its portfolio companies, partners, and stakeholders.
  • Collaboration: The firm values collaboration and teamwork, and believes that the best results are achieved through partnerships and shared expertise. QED Investors works closely with its portfolio companies to provide strategic guidance, operational support, and access to its extensive network.
  • Innovation: QED Investors is committed to investing in innovative companies that are driving positive change in the financial services industry. The firm believes that by supporting these companies, it can help to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system.
  • Entrepreneurial spirit: QED Investors is founded by entrepreneurs, and the firm values the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation and growth. The firm encourages its portfolio companies to take risks, experiment, and pursue bold ideas.
  • Focus on impact: QED Investors believes that financial success is only one measure of a company's value. The firm is committed to investing in companies that have a positive impact on society, whether through job creation, financial inclusion, or other social and environmental initiatives.
Mission

“An undeniable truth 13 years since our inception, we have the three solid pillars a cutting-edge VC firm needs – Capital, a phenomenal top-notch team of investors and a robust pipeline. The wind is at our back and we have never been more excited to continue to invest in the founders who are bringing transparency and fairness to financial services.”

Nigel Morris, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, QED

Portfolio

QED Investors has a diverse portfolio of investments in early-stage companies operating in the financial services and financial technology sectors across the United States, United Kingdom, and Latin America. The firm has invested in companies that are disrupting the traditional financial services industry and driving innovation in areas such as payments, lending, insurance, and wealth management.

Here are some examples of QED Investors' portfolio companies:

  • AvidXchange: AvidXchange is a cloud-based software platform that streamlines the accounts payable process for businesses.
  • Bitso: Bitso is a cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies in Latin America.
  • ClearScore: ClearScore is a free credit score and financial management platform that helps users make better financial decisions.
  • Current: Current is a mobile banking platform that offers a suite of financial services, including a checking account, savings account, and debit card.
  • Creditas: Creditas is a Brazilian lending platform that offers secured loans using real estate or vehicles as collateral.
  • Credit Karma: Credit Karma is a free credit monitoring platform that provides users with personalized credit recommendations and financial education.
  • Kavak: Kavak is a Mexican online platform for buying and selling used cars.
  • Klarna: Klarna is a Swedish payments and banking platform that allows consumers to buy now and pay later.
  • Konfio: Konfio is a Mexican online lending platform that provides working capital loans to small businesses.
  • Loft: Loft is a Brazilian online real estate platform that simplifies the home-buying and home-selling process.
  • Mission Lane: Mission Lane is a US-based credit card company that offers credit cards to consumers with limited credit history.
  • Nubank: Nubank is a Brazilian digital bank that offers a range of financial services, including credit cards, savings accounts, and personal loans.
  • QuintoAndar: QuintoAndar is a Brazilian online real estate platform that offers a seamless rental experience for landlords and tenants.
  • Remitly: Remitly is a US-based digital remittance platform that allows users to send money overseas.
  • SoFi: SoFi is a US-based online personal finance company that offers student loan refinancing, personal loans, and mortgage refinancing.

Overall, QED Investors' portfolio is characterized by disruptive and innovative companies that are transforming the financial services industry and creating value for their customers.

References
QED
Leadership team

Adams Conrad (Principal)

Alexandra Piedrahita (Principal)

Amias Gerety (Partner)

Ana Cristina Gadala-Maria (Principal)

Anne Bailey (Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff)

Ashley Marshall (Director of PR and Marketing)

Bill Cilluffo (Partner and Head of Early Stage Investments)

Camila Key Saruhashi (Partner)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Alexandria, Virginia
Established
2007
Social Media