Guild Capital is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage consumer businesses across the United States, United Kingdom, and India. Founded in 2009, the firm focuses on providing initial institutional capital to companies, typically acquiring significant minority stakes. Guild Capital emphasizes investment in talent-rich geographies and commits both financial resources and operational expertise to its portfolio companies.
Investment Criteria
Guild Capital employs a disciplined approach to investing, evaluating potential opportunities based on the following criteria:
- Management: The firm seeks founders with a clear vision, adaptability, a thirst for knowledge, and the ability to attract and retain high-performance talent.
- Model: Priority is given to business models capable of rapid, capital-efficient scaling, favoring data-driven strategies over code-centric ones. Guild Capital values businesses with long-term customer relationships and high margins, particularly those utilizing performance marketing and smart inventory models.
- Market: The firm invests in businesses offering industry-leading solutions to large, addressable markets, generally preferring sectors that are not “winner-takes-all.” Recent investments include categories such as interior design, men’s grooming, women’s health, everyday apparel, and functional beverages.
- Momentum: Guild Capital is attracted to businesses demonstrating revenue growth and positive momentum indicators like customer satisfaction and usage metrics.
Value-Add Playbook
Beyond capital investment, Guild Capital provides strategic support through a proven-value playbook, which includes:
- Onboarding Elite Talent: The firm offers access to high-performing talent from top management consulting, investment banking, and private equity firms.
- Building a Data-Driven Culture: Guild Capital’s team of experts assists founders in establishing data-driven operational frameworks.
- Leveraging Intuitive Design: The firm provides branding, marketing, and website development services through its team of designers, developers, and marketing specialists.
- Enhancing Financial Reporting: Guild Capital offers bookkeeping, reporting, business intelligence, and financial modeling services through its team of business analysts and chartered accountants.
Global Investment Team
Guild Capital’s team comprises experienced professionals across the U.S. and India:
- Iain Shovlin, Chairman and Founding Partner: Based in Miami, Iain has a background in venture capital and management consulting, with experience at Technology Crossover Ventures and Bain & Company.
- Max Straub, Chief Operating Officer: Operating from Los Angeles, Max brings experience from McKinsey & Company and leadership roles in early-stage startups.
- Harrison Quitman, Chief Financial Officer: Also in Los Angeles, Harrison has a background with the Boston Consulting Group and holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
- Eric Guo, Vice President: Based in Los Angeles, Eric has experience with TELEO Capital and J.P. Morgan, specializing in investment identification and strategic assistance.
- Ben Falloon, Chief of Staff: Operating from New York, Ben has a background in management consulting with McKinsey & Company and focuses on investment opportunities and strategic support.
In India, the team includes professionals like Mrinalini Goyal, Ram Kishan Agrawal, Chirag Khandelwal, Samiksha Shrawgi, Kushal M B, and Ayushi Gupta, all bringing diverse expertise in private equity, management consulting, and operational execution.
Contact Information
For more information or to explore partnership opportunities, visit Guild Capital’s official website. Stay updated on their latest news and events by subscribing to their newsletter through the website.
Guild Capital remains dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering innovation across the consumer business landscape.