About

Fortingall Ventures is a small private investment company that backs brilliant people, for the long-term.

HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT

We believe that regular fund-raising and/or focussing on the exit can be at best a distraction, and at worst counter-productive. Instead, we work with founders and managers to build fantastic businesses that are profitable, self-sufficient and set to thrive for the long-term. We aren’t interested in five year exit plans. Then if/when the time comes to sell, it is done from a position of strength.

Where as most venture capital funds are restricted by sector or size of business, we are unrestricted, investing in the largest public companies as well as very small private ones in the form of start up or buy-out capital.

Many venture capital funds inject their capital in the form of preference shares or convertible loans. We prefer ordinary shares ranked alongside the founder(s) and any other investors, to ensure everyone is equal and aligned, and simple “old fashioned” loans.

We have hands-on experience of running businesses and can share our experience. We give as much or as little advice as you need, and are willing to take a back seat.

Our criteria

Are we the right fit for you?

We invest in:

– talented people, who aren’t necessarily experienced but who demonstrate our principles.

– businesses with enough revenue (or comparatives) to prove their unit economics.

– businesses with a competitive advantage, that do something better, not necessarily something new (training a customer base is time-consuming).

– businesses that can be both cash generative and grow organically at the same time.

– businesses headquartered in UK.

– products and markets that we understand.

OUR PRINCIPLES

We look for people who:

Are product obsessed

People who continually enhance their product or service, innovate, automate where possible, embrace and fix problems, simplify, craft, strive for perfection. Then customers will come, return, and promote.

Work as a team

People who are willing to offer help, humble enough to accept it, honest, respectful, share and use best practice, disciplined not to cut corners for short-term gain, are selfless to seek the best for the company not themselves or their group.

Seize the opportunity

People who look to learn and improve, are positive, proactive not reactive, passionate and tenacious to achieve incredible results, make data-led decisions, use every minute wisely, go the extra mile, and have fun on the journey!

Why the name?

Fortingall is a small village in Perthshire, Scotland. Next to its church sits the Fortingall Yew, likely to be the oldest living thing in Britain, one of the oldest trees in the world. It is estimated to be between 1,500 and 9,000 years old. It isn’t visually striking, not particularly big and certainly not flashy. But its clever biological defence mechanisms and a fair chunk of luck has enabled it to stand the test of time, whilst everything around it has come and gone.

We can’t promise to be around for as long as the Fortingall Yew and don’t expect you to be either, but like the tree, we like a long-term approach. We aren’t keen on self-promoters, or short-termist corner-cutters, so if you are more interested in sun flowers than yews, we aren’t right for you. If you like the idea of building strong businesses through deep roots and disciplined outperformance in the long run, please get in touch.

Who are we?

• LinkedIn

Fortingall Ventures was founded by Charlie Ramsay.

Aged 9, Charlie masterminded his first enterprise, breeding hamsters and selling them to his local pet shop for £2 each (shout out to Pete the pet shop owner, my sister who helped me print my “Hamster Dealer” business cards, and my mother who looked after the blighters).

After Oxford University, Charlie started his career as a research analyst at the UK investment bank Peel Hunt, where he learned how to value businesses. A spell at Torch Partners in mergers and acquisitions built on this foundation. In 2007 he started his own business, SpeedyBooker. After 15 years as Chief Executive he moved to Executive Chairman in 2022, and remains closely involved.

Charlie has made plenty of terrible investments but also luckily a handful of successful ones, which in conjunction with dividends from his businesses, have seeded Fortingall Ventures.

Charlie has known the Fortingall Yew since he was a boy. Initially unimpressed by its unspectacular appearance, he now views its modesty as one of its greatest attributes.

What others say

“Charlie was a great investor to have in my business and it was a real pleasure to have him involved. Throughout all the challenges I needed to overcome as a founder, Charlie provided crucial support in critical times, whether that was helping on important negotiations that would define the future of the company, or consistently displaying his commitment and belief in the vision for the company with myself and my team. I would recommend him to any founder.” Nick Miller, Founder, Buzzhire.

“Charlie’s analytical nature, insight and broad strategic experience have proved invaluable to the growth of Anbôise. His measured approach makes him a genuine pleasure to work with as well as a huge asset to the business.” Anthony Everard, Founder, Anbôise.