• Charles Seely

Using his extensive networks, our US-based dealmaker scans the globe for top entrepreneurs and technologies to bring to the UK.

As the sole dealmaker in the USA, my responsibility is to identify the best entrepreneurs, intellectual property and companies to relocate to the UK.

I am a strong advocate of networking globally to identify international opportunities. Consequently my first deal for the Global Entrepreneurs Programme involved relocating a Spanish company, with its senior executives and intellectual property portfolio to the UK.

Scouting for global talent

I target early-stage companies from all over the world. That means looking at opportunities in Asia and Eastern Europe as well as the USA. I focus on a broad spectrum of companies in the technology and media sectors, though I have also sourced deals in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors.

I prefer companies that have at least raised seed stage funding.

Introduction to high-value networks

I advise entrepreneurs and companies on relocating to the UK. This incorporates general advice on strategy and finance, but it primarily involves leveraging my personal and UK Government connections to introduce clients to high-value networks.

These range from tax and IP lawyers to investors, board members, management team members and potential clients.

Early induction into entrepreneurship

My diverse experience includes starting, building, and advising numerous early-stage companies, in addition to several years restructuring and turnaround experience. My entrepreneurial background started at age 23 when I co-founded a well-publicised Cuban beer brand, Che Guevera, in the UK.

In 1996 I joined TCS, Inc, a telecom software company where I was the top salesperson during its growth from US$5-$30mm in annual revenues, prior to its sale for $100mm+.

Subsequently, I was the Director of Business Development at Interglobe Telecom plc (a TCS subsidiary).

I am now a partner at Schlossberg Flynn, a New York-based business development firm, where I advise several leading early-stage companies.

Broad-ranging advisory roles

I previously founded Brandfever, a retail business for which I raised several million dollars of debt and equity capital and recruited one of the leading management teams in Europe. Following this I gained 3 years financial restructuring experience as a board member of numerous private/public companies in a boutique merchant bank.

I am an advisor/investor in several companies including Slooh (Live Remote Astronomy, Board Member), T-Ink (Conductive Ink), BVI Capital (Steel), Tangerine Wellness-(Corporate Weight Management), Scanbuy (Red Herring 100, Wireless Telecom, Advisory Board), Progreso Financiero (Consumer Finance), AccuMed Innovative Technologies, Inc (Smart Textiles), Actarus (Early Stage Fund, Advisory Board), and sit on the Chairman's Board of Senator Hillary Rodham Clintons' New Jobs for New York not-for-profit.

I was also a contributor to The Entrepreneurs Success Kit, which Stephen R. Covey (author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) called, "The perfect gift for entrepreneurs.