ERROL DAMELIN
Founder and CEO at Wonga
About
Errol Damelin is a renowned entrepreneur best known as the founder and former CEO of Wonga.com. Today, he is an active investor and advisor, focusing on disruptive technology companies, particularly within fintech, SaaS, and property tech sectors. His expertise lies in scaling innovative businesses and fostering entrepreneurial growth.
Recent News & Mentions
Experience
Deep Dive
Errol Damelin stands as a formidable figure in the entrepreneurial and investment landscape, widely recognized as the visionary founder and former CEO of Wonga.com. His journey reflects a deep understanding of technology's potential to disrupt traditional industries, coupled with a keen eye for scalable business models. After building one of the most talked-about fintech companies, Damelin has transitioned into a prolific role as an investor and advisor, shaping the next generation of innovative startups.
Damelin's tenure as Founder and CEO of Wonga.com was marked by rapid growth and significant technological innovation in the lending sector. Under his leadership, Wonga became a leading online short-term credit provider, leveraging sophisticated algorithms and data analytics to offer instant lending decisions. This period showcased his ability to build and scale a complex financial technology platform, navigating regulatory challenges while achieving substantial market penetration. He departed from Wonga in 2013, leaving behind a company that had fundamentally altered parts of the financial services industry.
Prior to Wonga, Errol Damelin had already established a strong track record as a serial entrepreneur. His earlier ventures included founding Supply @ME, a telecoms business, and Cashbox, a payment processing company. These experiences provided him with invaluable insights into building technology-driven businesses from the ground up, honing his skills in product development, market strategy, and operational execution across diverse sectors.
Today, Errol Damelin is an active angel investor and venture partner, channeling his expertise and capital into promising early-stage technology companies. His investment focus areas are broad but consistently centered on disruptive innovation. Key sectors of interest include fintech, where his Wonga experience provides unique insights, as well as SaaS (Software as a Service), property technology (proptech), and other digital platforms poised for significant growth. He is particularly drawn to founders with strong vision and the capability to execute ambitious plans.
Among his notable engagements, Damelin co-founded OneDome, a proptech platform aiming to simplify the property buying and selling process, demonstrating his continued hands-on involvement in building new ventures. His investment philosophy emphasizes supporting companies that leverage technology to solve real-world problems, create efficiencies, and deliver superior customer experiences. Errol Damelin's enduring influence stems from his ability to identify market gaps, build robust technological solutions, and mentor the next wave of entrepreneurs, solidifying his reputation as a pivotal force in the global tech ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Errol Damelin?
Errol Damelin is a renowned entrepreneur, best known as the founder and former CEO of Wonga.com. He is now an active angel investor and advisor, focusing on disruptive technology companies.
What does Errol Damelin invest in?
Errol Damelin primarily invests in early-stage technology companies across various sectors, including fintech, SaaS (Software as a Service), property technology (proptech), and other innovative digital platforms.
Where does Errol Damelin work?
Errol Damelin currently operates as an independent investor and advisor. He was previously the Founder and CEO of Wonga.com and has also co-founded other ventures like OneDome.