Francesca (Check) Warner
Co-founding Partner, Ada Ventures — inclusive pre-seed investor
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London, United Kingdom
19K connections
Joined August 2025
Summary
Champion for inclusive venture capital: Francesca co‑founded Diversity VC to research, measure and improve diversity in the VC industry and has built programmes (e.g., data reporting, Future VC internships) to increase access for under‑represented talent. This advocacy is central to her public profile and Ada's investment philosophy. diversity+2
Pre‑seed investor focused on overlooked founders and mission‑driven opportunities: As co‑founding partner at Ada Ventures (since 2018) she leads pre‑seed sourcing and portfolio support, emphasising deep customer work, go‑to‑market and founder support. She publishes Ada's investment frameworks (e.g., AI investing framework) and advocates 'Inclusive Alpha'—embedding inclusion into fund strategy. adaventures+2
Writer, commentator and public speaker on VC and inclusion: Warner contributes to outlets (Forbes, TechCrunch), appears on industry podcasts and panels, and authors long‑form posts describing investment thinking and industry change—using public writing to influence both founders and investors. forbes+2
Operator background with practical marketing & client skills: Before VC she worked in advertising and account management (AMV BBDO), which she cites as formative for client/customer insight, communications and project management—skills she applies to founder support and GTM work in her investing role. co+1
Recognised industry figure and alumna active in giving back: Cambridge alumna, recipient of honours (MBE 2023 New Year’s Honours for services to equality and diversity in VC), and founder of a college bursary; balances public roles with family life and public advocacy for parental/family support in the startup ecosystem. shorthandstories+2
Work
Education
Projects
Writing
Ada Ventures — Framework for Investing in AI‑first Companies
April 1, 2024An essay/framework describing how to evaluate pre‑seed and seed AI‑first companies across capital intensity, defensibility and go‑to‑market dynamics; intended as a practical prompt for founders and investors.
Introducing a new movement in VC: Inclusive Alpha
October 1, 2023Piece describing Ada Ventures' thesis for embedding inclusion into investment processes and how inclusive sourcing/support can produce superior investment outcomes.
Diversity VC: The Next Chapter
December 1, 2020Reflection on the founding and evolution of Diversity VC, its mission and the organisation's work to shift the venture industry toward greater diversity and inclusion.
Hobbies
Tennis, golf and cold‑water swimming adaventures
Theatre (college co‑directing and involvement) shorthandstories
Notes
CHCharles Hudsonsaid
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
is someone they've seen maintain an active and visible professional presence in their field.Nov 18, 2025
NNNic Newmansaid they've seen
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
make especially smart investments as a venture capitalist.Oct 16, 2025
PSPaddy Stobbssaid
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
is one of the most insightful venture capitalists they've interacted with.Oct 15, 2025
MSMeghan Stevenson-Krauszsaid that if they were building a female-led startup,
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
would be someone they'd really want as an investor.Oct 3, 2025
CHCharles Hudsonsaid that if they were building a female-led startup,
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
would be someone they'd really want as an investor.Oct 2, 2025
STSten Tamkivisaid they've seen
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
consistently champion companies led by women through their investments.Oct 2, 2025
MPmatt penneycardsaid they've seen
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
make a big positive impact in venture capital or private equity deals.Sep 18, 2025
CHCharles Hudsonsaid
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
is one of the most impressive investors they've worked with, especially when it comes to managing capital for startups.Sep 18, 2025
PSPaddy Stobbssaid they've seen
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
(or their firm) make especially strong pre-seed or seed investments in European startups.Sep 17, 2025
PSPaddy Stobbssaid
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
is one of the most impressive startup fundraisers they've encountered.Sep 16, 2025
PSPaddy Stobbssaid they've seen
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
make especially smart pre-seed or seed investments in European startups.Sep 15, 2025
CHCharles Hudsonsaid they've seen
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
make especially smart pre-seed or seed investments in European startups.Sep 11, 2025
MPmatt penneycardsaid
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
is one of the most thoughtful pre-seed investors they've worked with.Sep 5, 2025
MPmatt penneycardsaid
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
has consistently backed underrepresented founders through their investments.Sep 5, 2025
CHCharles Hudsonsaid
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
has consistently backed underrepresented founders through their investments.Sep 4, 2025
CHCharles Hudsonsaid they've seen
FWFrancesca (Check) Warner
play a key role in helping companies secure venture capital or close funding rounds.Jul 24, 2025