Loading people...
Ben Cousens is the Chief Strategy Officer at ZEBEDEE, a gaming fintech company, and is based in London, United Kingdom. Before assuming his current operational role in May 2021, he served as a Principal at the European venture capital firm Lakestar. During his tenure at Lakestar, Cousens spearheaded the firm's interactive entertainment strategy and led eight distinct investments across the video game sector. His venture portfolio included sourcing and directing capital into prominent gaming startups such as Mod.io and 1047 Games, where he helped facilitate a $100 million funding round. He initially began his career as a video game developer before transitioning into corporate finance, where he advised interactive entertainment companies on fundraising and mergers and acquisitions. Cousens currently focuses on scaling digital economies and payment infrastructure at the intersection of gaming and financial technology.
Ben Cousens is a distinguished Principal at Lakestar, one of Europe's premier venture capital firms. In his pivotal role, Ben is instrumental in identifying and backing the next generation of innovative technology companies across the continent. His work at Lakestar primarily involves leading early-stage investments, typically from Seed to Series B rounds, focusing on high-growth potential startups that are poised to disrupt traditional industries or create entirely new markets.
Ben's investment thesis is deeply informed by his extensive operational and product management background. Prior to joining Lakestar, he honed his skills as an investor at Seedcamp, a renowned early-stage fund, where he gained invaluable experience in scouting and supporting nascent ventures. Before his venture capital career, Ben held significant product roles at several high-profile technology companies. Notably, he contributed to the growth and development of fintech giants like TransferWise (now Wise) and Monzo. This hands-on experience in building and scaling successful products provides Ben Cousens with a unique lens through which to evaluate potential investments, allowing him to understand the intricacies of product-market fit, user experience, and operational efficiency.
At Lakestar, Ben Cousens actively seeks out opportunities in several key sectors. His areas of expertise include Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), where he looks for scalable business models and innovative enterprise solutions. Fintech remains another strong focus, given his prior experience, as he identifies companies revolutionizing financial services. Deep tech, encompassing areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced computing, also features prominently in his investment portfolio. Furthermore, Ben is keenly interested in the future of work, digital health, and marketplace models, recognizing the transformative power of technology in these domains.
Ben's contributions help Lakestar maintain its position as a leading investor in Europe's vibrant tech ecosystem. His analytical rigor, combined with a founder-friendly approach, makes him a valued partner for entrepreneurs. He is known for his ability to provide strategic guidance beyond capital, leveraging his product expertise to help portfolio companies navigate challenges and accelerate their growth. As a Principal at Lakestar, Ben Cousens continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology by empowering visionary founders with the resources and insights they need to succeed.
Ben Cousens is a Principal at Lakestar, a prominent European venture capital firm. He is an investor specializing in early-stage technology companies across various sectors.
Ben Cousens primarily invests in early-stage technology companies (Seed to Series B) with a focus on SaaS, fintech, deep tech, future of work, and digital health. His investment strategy is informed by his strong product and operational background.
Ben Cousens works at Lakestar, a leading European venture capital firm. He operates out of their offices, contributing to their investment activities across Europe.
