Solanki leaves Channel 4’s media-for-equity arm

Vinay Solanki is leaving his role as founder and head of Channel 4 Ventures, the media-for-equity arm of Channel 4, the UK TV channel with a reputation for alternative programming, after 11 years.

A GCV Titan, Solanki and his team were responsible for building the largest media-for-equity fund in the UK by backing consumer tech startups, using only Channel 4’s airtime. The fund has completed more than 60 investments and currently holds a portfolio of more than 30 companies, which is valued at close to £100m.

In the LinkedIn post announcing his departure, Solanki shared that his focus had always been on supporting founders building consumer businesses.

“I learned more from them than from any deck, forecast or term sheet. The UK is one of the best places to build a consumer business, yet the sector is still overlooked by so many investors,” he said.

While Solanki did not specify his next role, he indicated that he was working on new projects that built on his experience and would keep him close to the consumer tech ecosystem in the UK.

See all the recent deals by Channel 4 Ventures in the CVC Funding Round Database