At Charco we invest in companies that enrich people’s lives. We believe that true wealth goes beyond finance.
We don’t exclusively invest in tech but our portfolio companies use it to make lives better, healthier and happier.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited; imagination encircles the world.”
Albert Einstein
African Proverb
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
£225
Million Pounds Invested
In making lives better.
When we invest with heart, our capital creates ripples that radiate into countless lives, from bustling city streets to quiet rural communities. Some people think profit and purpose are mutually exclusive, but we understand that wealth is more than numbers on a screen. We’ve witnessed clever investment decisions that wash away old-world problems. Every pound that we invest contributes to a larger fabric of change, connecting people and possibilities in ways that spreadsheets cannot capture. We’re all part of this invisible network, where each conscious investment opens new pathways to progress.
Founding Vision
Our story started at a small coffee shop in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Two of us, each with hard won wisdom from years in finance, realized we were seeing the same gap in the market. We’d watched countless good ideas die because traditional investors just couldn’t understand their potential. The fancy office came later – what mattered was our shared belief that investing could be done differently. Smarter. More patiently. Like watching the tide come in, we knew that some of the best opportunities need the right strategy at the right time. Our collective experience, forged through countless market cycles, taught us that true value emerges when the tide goes out.
Core Principles
We’re often asked about the factors that we find compelling in potential investments. We are drawn to ideas that solve real problems in clever ways. Just as nature finds elegant solutions through evolution, we seek solutions that turn complex things into elegant, useful ones. This is how we enrich people’s lives. We have a diverse portfolio, encompassing cloud computing, reimagining the mortgage industry, nurturing online community development, and streamlining corporate services. It’s like watching a puzzle solve itself, piece by piece.
Investing For Impact
Let’s be honest – we’re not just here to make money. Don’t get us wrong, returns matter to us, but we’ve seen firsthand how investing can do more. Much more. Every time we back a company that makes lives easier or solves social problems, we prove that profit and purpose can work together. It’s akin to planting trees – you might not see the forest immediately, but give it time, and something incredible will emerge. We’re proud to be part of London’s push toward responsible investing, even if we tend to be quiet about it.
Global Network, Local Connections
Think of us as your local guide who happens to know everyone in town – and quite a few people abroad too. While our heart beats in London, our network stretches across the globe. We’ve built these connections naturally, one relationship at a time. Whether you need to understand Asian markets or crack North American distribution, chances are we know someone who’s been there and done that. But at the end of the day, you’ll still find us in our London office, ready for a cup of tea and a good conversation about your next big idea.