After more than a decade as a venture capitalist, Yvonne Bajela has launched her own fund, Evertrue, closing its first raise at $17 million. Bajela previously invested through LocalGlobe and Impact X Capital Partners in companies such as Wise, Marshmellow, and Mooves. Evertrue has already backed seven early-stage startups in Europe and the U.K. with plans to invest in at least 20 within the next three years. Average investments will land around £350,000 per company.
Why Now? Riding Europe’s AI and Fintech Wave
Bajela cites the current boom in AI as a key catalyst in starting her own fund. She says the economics around launching a company have shifted dramatically, making it more accessible for first-time founders—but that building something lasting remains the exception. Evertrue will concentrate primarily on AI and fintech businesses, especially those led by founders who demonstrate a strong grasp of their problem space, exceptional execution skills, and big ambitious visions for future growth.
Additionally, one of Bajela’s core investment criteria is the personal journey of founders—the obstacles they’ve overcome and how those challenges shaped their outlook. With a background that includes time at Mitsui in Japan and early years at Goldman Sachs, she brings a global view on how far-found talent and ambition can be found everywhere.
Fundraising, Structure, and Strategic Choices
Evertrue raised $17 million despite aiming for $13 million, choosing not to expand the fund despite strong demand. The fund received support from five institutions, including the British Business Bank and Basecamp, and is part of the British Business Bank’s Investor Pathways initiative. Around 80% of its limited partners are based in the U.K., while the rest are spread across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. The LP base reflects Bajela’s global exposure and the fact that many British startups are already eyeing U.S. expansion; over half of Evertrue’s portfolio companies have operations in the United States.
Even in the midst of rising capital for early-stage funds—emerging managers in the U.K. have raised $7.4 billion through the end of September, already ahead of all of 2025—Bajela acknowledges the fundraising process remains grueling. Delays, long conversations, and rejections that come after months of relationship building are especially draining, she says, emphasizing that time is among the founders’ most precious resources.
She decided on fund size not as a bragging metric but based on how much capital is needed to make meaningful investments in her highest conviction opportunities. Deploying capital just because it’s available isn’t part of her strategy.
On geography, Evertrue will focus on U.K. and European startups, maintaining a strong interest in internationally scaled ventures. The firm has already invested in companies with operations in multiple regions, especially the U.S., and many of the founders in its portfolio share ambitious expansion plans.
At its core, Evertrue aims to be known not just for being early, but for backing founders who combine unique insights, grit, and the capacity to grow. Bajela’s aspiration is for her track record to be defined by the quality of the entrepreneurs and businesses she backs, rather than sheer volume.
What This Means for Europe’s Startup Ecosystem
This development underscores that early-stage funding in Europe continues to heat up, particularly in fintech and AI. Bajela joins a wave of investors seeking to capitalize on a unique moment in European tech, where AI infrastructure and talent hubs like King’s Cross are gaining global relevance. As startups scale rapidly, investors are looking for founders with clarity, resilience, and addressable vision.
Evertrue’s strategy—backing 20 companies in three years, with lean check sizes and a focus on runway-extending and founder-centered terms—mirrors best practices in early-stage venture. By placing value on what founders have already endured, Evertrue bets on quality over hype. It also shows a growing respect for emerging fund managers who aren’t simply clone versions of established firms.
For Bajela, this is more than just a new fund; it’s a statement that conviction, selectivity, and vision still matter, even as the market gets crowded and capital more abundant.
