HERMESA’s Post

It is time to meet another HERmesa Member of the Month! We are thrilled to introduce you to Jami Jenkins ✨ Q: Tell us about yourself. A: I started working as a stock trader in 2007, and as I made gains in the stock market, I diversified into real estate, and then wanted to further diversify into new currencies and new asset classes, so venture capital and the fantastic start-up investment opportunities in the UK with EIS and SEIS were the perfect next step. Since 2014, I have invested in about 35 businesses and in 2018 I joined Ascension, a leading Seed to Series A VC, as a Venture Partner. Q: What brought you to angel investing and HERMESA? A: I learned about HERmesa through working with Ascension. The concept of women investors coming together to support female founders seemed exactly what the world needed yesterday, now and always! Women are very hard workers, sensible, seem to leave no stone left unturned and anyway I noticed that I was always leaning toward female founders with each of my investments, so why not join a group like HERMESA and show support at scale? Q: Can you share a key highlight or learning on your angel investing journey so far? A: One of my biggest problems is getting so excited about a founder, business, team, product that I constantly reinvest. While that can be a good approach, one has to remember that most startups fail, and I have had to suffer the bitter loss of money alongside disappointment that these wonderful ideas won't come fully to fruition. My lesson learned is to spread the investment, diversify, and try to give as many amazing women and ideas a chance as the budget allows. Q: Can you tell us about your investment thesis and some of the companies you have invested in? A: My investment thesis is simply to invest in "do I want this to exist in the world and do I believe in the team." Through HERmesa I have invested in CheMastery Group Ltd, a hardware solution which innovates the entire INDUSTRY of chemistry, and Valla, a legaltech, DIY platform which empowers people with the tools and support they need to stand up for themselves. Outside of HERmesa, I have invested in AI, IoT, fintech, legaltech, ecommerce and my two particular favorites - clean energy and health. My portfolio covers the United States, Europe, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. Q: What would you say to others who are thinking about becoming angel investors? A: I would say keep in mind the disclaimer: "investments of this nature can lead to complete loss," but, if you have some  extra money, and you want to be part of something bigger than yourself, support good ideas & good people, and try to throw your oar and your money into the change you want to see in the world - then why not go for it? With EIS & SEIS in the UK, the risk is mitigated and the tax reward is immediate. You increase your network and get exposed to people and ideas which help you develop personally, too. In this sense, there never is a complete loss.