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Investor at Antler | Empowering Early-Stage Startups | Redefining Fintech Innovation with Strategic Investments
Meet Sarah Finegan from the United Kingdom, an investor at Antler who leverages her expertise to empower early-stage startups and drive innovation in fintech. With a career spanning finance, venture capital, and tech, Sarah plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship through strategic investments, always focused on fostering growth and innovation.
Early Foundations and Educational Pursuits
Sarah Finegan’s journey to becoming a leading figure in venture capital started with a strong foundation in business and commerce. She earned her Bachelor of Commerce in International Business from University College Dublin, where she first cultivated her passion for the global business landscape. Always striving for more, Sarah continued to expand her academic horizons by attending the prestigious IE Business School, where she completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on international business.
Her thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there. Sarah later attended Harvard Business School’s program on “Investing for the 21st Century,” where she honed her understanding of risk, return, and impact in today’s rapidly evolving financial world. These early academic experiences shaped her worldview, giving her the tools to think globally and strategically about business challenges, particularly in venture capital and tech innovation.
Breaking Into the Financial World
Sarah’s first professional steps were in the fast-paced world of investment banking, where she landed a role as an Analyst in Global Banking and Markets at HSBC. Working across London and Hong Kong, she gained firsthand experience in analyzing markets, managing portfolios, and understanding the inner workings of global finance. This role laid the groundwork for her next opportunity at Goldman Sachs, where she took on the role of Associate.
During her time at Goldman Sachs, Sarah was part of high-stakes financial operations, working alongside industry leaders and decision-makers. This experience refined her ability to assess financial opportunities and risks on a global scale, setting her up for her eventual move into venture capital. Reflecting on this time, Sarah has shared how the rigorous demands of the investment world pushed her to sharpen her strategic thinking. She has often noted, a skill that has served her well in her current ventures, she shares;
“The intensity of my early finance roles taught me not just about numbers, but about finding the story behind them”
Transition to Venture Capital
The allure of venture capital—where finance meets innovation—became Sarah’s next calling. After several years in the financial sector, she transitioned into the world of early-stage startups and tech investments. Her journey led her to join MiddleGame Ventures and Outlier Ventures, where she began advising and investing in tech-forward companies. It was during this time that she started to develop her passion for empowering entrepreneurs who were leveraging technology to disrupt traditional industries. Sarah explains when discussing her approach to venture capital;
“Our investment in founders is premised on their ability to disrupt industries. We’re in search of outliers, not just safe bets,”
Her role at Outlier Ventures gave her the chance to work with ambitious founders, guiding them through the early stages of building groundbreaking companies. This role also fueled her passion for supporting companies that aim to create positive social and environmental impact—a theme that would continue to resonate throughout her career.
Leadership at Antler
In 2021, Sarah made the pivotal decision to join Antler, a global early-stage venture capital firm with a focus on empowering founders from day zero. Initially working in Antler’s Berlin office, she soon relocated to London, taking on increasingly senior roles. Now, as a Senior Investor, Sarah is at the forefront of Antler’s efforts to scout, invest in, and support a diverse range of startups, particularly those leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech solutions.
At Antler, Sarah has been instrumental in the firm’s UK operations, helping to shape its portfolio and guiding its strategic investments. Her approach is grounded in both data-driven insights and intuition, a combination that has proven highly effective in identifying and nurturing promising founders. Sarah passionately states;
“We believe talent is evenly distributed across the globe, and our model is designed to remove barriers to entrepreneurship, nurturing a new generation of diverse founders,”
This belief is reflected in Antler’s global footprint and its commitment to supporting underrepresented founders from diverse backgrounds.
A Commitment to Innovation and Diversity
Sarah’s work at Antler is not just about identifying promising startups but also about building an inclusive ecosystem. She is deeply committed to fostering diversity in the tech and investment sectors, which she views as essential for driving innovation. She often asserts;
“Diversity is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape,”
Her leadership in scouting for diverse talent and supporting female founders has earned her recognition across Europe’s tech and VC communities.
Through her involvement with various initiatives and podcasts, such as co-hosting “At the Cap Table,” Sarah continues to amplify the voices of underrepresented founders. She believes that real change in the venture capital industry can only happen when all voices are heard and given a platform.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Fintech and AI
Sarah’s current focus at Antler is on startups leveraging fintech and artificial intelligence to create disruptive solutions in the financial sector. Sarah notes;
“The convergence of fintech and AI is fascinating. We’re identifying startups using new technologies to enhance efficiency, personalize services, and promote financial inclusion,”
She is particularly excited about the potential of AI to transform how companies operate and deliver value to customers, especially in traditionally underserved markets.
Under Sarah’s leadership, Antler has made several strategic investments in fintech and AI-driven companies, reflecting her forward-thinking approach. She is particularly proud of how Antler’s global strategy combines local knowledge with international reach, allowing the firm to back startups with a significant impact on their respective markets.
The Nectar of Wisdom from Sarah Finegan’s Journey
- “Talent is evenly distributed across the globe, and it’s our job to nurture it.”
Sarah emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities to diverse founders worldwide. - “Data can tell us a lot, but intuition plays a critical role in finding game-changers.”
Her investment approach balances data with gut instincts to identify disruptive startups. - “Diversity isn’t optional; it’s a competitive advantage.”
Sarah believes that diverse teams drive innovation and lead to better business outcomes. - “The fintech and AI sectors hold unparalleled potential for reshaping industries.”
Her focus is on how emerging technologies are transforming traditional sectors like finance. - “We’re not just investing in startups; we’re investing in the future of entire ecosystems.”
Sarah sees her work as part of a larger mission to create sustainable, long-term impact.
Editorial Note
Sarah Finegan’s vision and leadership in venture capital are truly inspiring, as she continuously champions innovation and diversity. Her story reflects the impact of strategic investments on the future of tech and finance. We invite other executives to share their own journeys with us at executivesdiary.com/blog/submit-biography—a free platform to showcase your leadership and experiences. Your story could inspire the next generation of leaders.
