Yvonne Bajela closes $17M debut fund to target European early-stage startups

Evertrue has already committed capital to seven companies, with plans to support at least 20 startups over the next three years. Bajela intends to write checks averaging £350,000, focusing primarily on the fintech and AI sectors. Despite the current competitive landscape for emerging fund managers, she secured institutional backing from the British Business Bank and Basecamp, the fund-of-funds associated with Phoenix Court.

While Bajela initially targeted a $13 million raise, strong investor interest allowed her to exceed that goal. She opted to cap the fund at $17 million rather than accept additional capital, arguing that a smaller, controlled fund size prevents the pressure to deploy cash prematurely. Her strategy centers on identifying founders with unique problem-solving insights and the resilience to scale businesses internationally, particularly into the U.S. market, where over half of her current portfolio already operates.