Welcome to a new episode of our special series At The Cap Table.
Today, we are joined by Savitri Tan in a conversation with Maria Rotilu, Founding Partner at OpenseedVC.
Maria Rotilu is the founder and general partner of OpenSeed VC, a £10M venture fund that invests in experienced operators transitioning into founders. With a unique thesis focused on zero-to-one founders, OpenSeed aims to be the first check for those building in commerce, health, and work across Europe and Africa. Maria’s journey has included scaling Uber in emerging markets, managing the Oxford Seed Fund during her MBA, and working at Octopus First Cheque before launching her fund.
With a focus on early-stage investing, Maria leverages her operating background to provide empathy and actionable insights to founders navigating the challenging zero-to-one stage. OpenSeed’s strategy also involves a disciplined focus on the UK and four key African markets—Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt—ensuring deep expertise in these geographies.
Together, they explore Maria’s approach to venture investing, her belief in the power of operator-led insights, and the challenges of building a solo GP fund in a volatile market. Maria also shares her thoughts on the importance of saying no with kindness and clarity, staying disciplined, and her vision for creating a long-lasting institution that partners with founders for decades to come.
Watch it here or add it to your episodes on Apple or Spotify 🎧 chapters for easy navigation available on the Spotify/Apple episode.
✍️ Show notes
1. What Drives Someone to Build a VC Fund in Challenging Markets?
Maria Rotilu’s decision to launch OpenSeed VC was rooted in her unique experiences as an operator and her recognition of market gaps. From her time scaling Uber in emerging markets to managing the Oxford Seed Fund, Maria’s career has been defined by tackling complex challenges. She saw an opportunity to support experienced operators turning into founders at the earliest stages, particularly in underserved markets like Europe and Africa, and built her fund around this mission.
2. How Does an Operator’s Experience Shape Investment Strategies?
Maria emphasizes that being an operator brings unique empathy and insights to venture investing. Her experience managing zero-to-one growth at Uber and Branch has given her a deep understanding of the challenges founders face. She believes that this operator mindset helps her connect with experienced founders, enabling her to be both a sparring partner and an early believer in their journeys.
3. How to Balance Geographic Focus Across Diverse Markets?
Operating across Europe and Africa, OpenSeed VC narrows its focus to the UK and four key African markets (Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt). Maria leverages her existing networks in these regions to streamline deal flow. While the geographies are vast, Maria’s relationships with operators and co-investors allow her to maintain a consistent pipeline of promising founders.
4. What Are the Biggest Challenges for Solo GPs?
Maria discusses the difficulty of managing fund operations, fundraising, and founder relationships as a solo GP. She stresses the importance of ruthless prioritization, systematic processes, and leveraging technology to scale. Despite these challenges, she finds purpose in building a lasting financial institution that partners with zero-to-one founders.
5. Why is Saying No the Hardest Part of Venture Capital?
Maria highlights the importance of saying no with kindness and clarity. She ensures founders leave with thoughtful feedback and maintains relationships even after declining. This approach not only protects OpenSeed’s brand but also fosters goodwill, which can lead to future opportunities.
6. What Fuels the Drive to Build a Lasting Fund?
Maria’s vision for OpenSeed VC is to create a fund that lasts decades, becoming the go-to partner for experienced operators at the zero-to-one stage. She focuses on consistent execution and long-term brand building to achieve this. Personally, she draws inspiration from connecting with early-stage founders and reading science fiction, which fuels her creativity and resilience.
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