Nick Telson-Sillett

Nick Telson-Sillett is a prominent London-based angel investor and venture builder, widely recognized for his entrepreneurial success and strategic early-stage investments. He co-founded DesignMyNight, a leading nightlife and events platform, which was successfully acquired by The Access Group in 2019. This significant exit provided him with substantial capital and deep operational insights, which he now leverages in his investment activities. Beyond his investing, Telson-Sillett is also a co-founder of trumpet, a B2B SaaS platform focused on creating personalized sales experiences.

His primary investment vehicle is Horseplay Ventures, which he founded to formalize and scale his angel investing efforts. Horseplay Ventures focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, with a particular interest in B2B SaaS, marketplaces, and consumer technology. Telson-Sillett is known for his hands-on approach, often providing strategic guidance and leveraging his extensive network to support portfolio companies beyond just capital.

As an active angel investor, Nick Telson-Sillett has built a diverse portfolio, having invested in over 55 startups to date. Through Horseplay Ventures, he typically deploys first cheques ranging from approximately $62,500 (£50,000) to $312,500 (£250,000), depending on the stage and specific needs of the venture. His investment thesis emphasizes strong founder-market fit, clear paths to scalability, and innovative solutions to real-world problems. He seeks to partner with ambitious founders who can benefit from his direct experience in building, scaling, and exiting a successful technology business.