Welcome to the June Edition of the Zanda Newsletter!

As we wrapped up Q2 and crossed the halfway mark of the year, our team came together for a meaningful reflection on both the successes and the challenges we've faced so far. From big-picture strategy to the finer details, one standout moment has been the launch of our brand new (and rather shiny) website, a fresh front door for everything we’re building.

Our CFO Masterclass series continues to gain momentum, with our most recent session filling yet another room of sharp, engaged finance leaders eager to dissect the Art of a Fast Close. With another Masterclass on the horizon next month, we’re excited to continue to partner with Vantage Point to deliver these amazing events!

We also had the privilege of gathering another exceptional table of ambitious CFOs, where Carl Tishler led a compelling discussion on what it means to become the CEO of Yourself - an idea that continues to resonate deeply with our community.

In June’s CFO Edit, we explored what it really takes for a CFO to step into the CEO seat, through the lens of Patrick Dobson, who offers a powerful perspective on navigating that pivotal shift in both mindset and responsibility.

And finally, we’re excited to share a fantastic testimonial from Semble, following the placement of a CFO who made an immediate impact from day one.

Here’s to a strong second half!

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What's included in this Edition?

• CFO Masterclass | What You Missed

• Roundtables | Be the CEO of Yourself

• The CFO Edit | Patrick Dobson

• Testimonial | Semble

• June Fundraising Report | UK and New York

• Current Opportunities

CFO Masterclass | What You Missed

We were thrilled to keep the momentum going with our latest CFO Masterclass in partnership with VantagePoint, where we once again packed the room with sharp, curious CFOs ready to unpack the Art of a Fast Close.

From streamlining month-end to building smarter workflows, we explored how leading finance teams are closing with speed and precision, powered by the right tools, the right mindset, and tight cross-functional collaboration.

Our next session in the series - Shaping the Next Era of FP&A - will be happening next month. We’ll explore how the function is evolving from backward-looking reporting to real-time forecasting and strategic decision-making, and the people, processes, and tech driving the shift.

If this sounds like a conversation you want to be part of, we’d love to see you there.

Make sure to sign up for the next event on July 15th here.

Roundtables | Be the CEO of Yourself

We were thrilled to host another incredible roundtable in June, gathering a group of ambitious, forward-thinking CFOs who aren’t just driving business results, but also doubling down on their own growth.

A huge thank you to Carl Tishler for leading a truly insightful conversation on what it means to be the CEO of Yourself, a concept that sparked reflection and struck a chord around the table.

In roles that are high-pressure and often isolating, this session was a timely reminder that sustainable high performance starts from within.

Keep an eye on our socials for upcoming roundtables as you won’t want to miss what’s next.

Follow us here so you can stay up to date with our future events.

The CFO Edit | Patrick Dobson

Stepping into the CEO seat, even on an interim basis, is one of the biggest transitions a CFO can make. It’s a move that tests not only commercial acumen and strategic thinking, but leadership at a whole new level.

In our latest CFO Edit, we explore what that leap really looks like through the lens of Patrick Dobson, CFO at Sofar Sounds, who shares his perspective on stepping up, finding balance, and leading from the front.

The article dives into why CFOs are often the obvious choice for interim CEO, the mindset shift required to lead from the top, how to strike the right balance between long-term strategy and day-to-day execution and more, which makes this article a must-read for any finance leader considering the path to the top seat.

You can read the full blog here.

Testimonial | Semble

Hiring a CFO just ahead of closing a Series B and gearing up for international expansion is no small task. it’s high-stakes, high-impact, and exactly where we do our best work.

We were proud to partner with Semble, in collaboration with their investors at Smedvig Ventures, to lead a targeted CFO search that matched the pace and ambition of their next chapter.

From quickly identifying what the business truly needed, to delivering a strategic and high-quality shortlist, we worked closely with Christoph and the team to provide clarity and confidence at every step.

The CFO we placed hit the ground running and stepped seamlessly into the role, becoming a true strategic partner from day one.

A huge thank you to the brilliant team at Semble for trusting us at such a pivotal moment in their journey.

June Fundraising Report | UK and New York

In the month of June, 35 UK-based companies received investment from 158 investors, across Seed, Series A and Series B funding stages, with the total capital invested being just under £460M.

The most invested industry in June was AI & Machine Learning, securing £230M in capital across 15 deals. Big Data and SaaS complete the top 3 most invested industries, with Big Data receiving £119M in funding across 3 deals, and SaaS obtaining £113M in 10 successful deals.

FinTech and Life Sciences followed closely behind, with FinTech raising nearly £97M with 9 deals, and Life Sciences closed 4 deals, receiving £91M in funding.

In New York, 60 companies successfully secured funding from 172 investors, with the invested capital totalling nearly £513M.

In June, deals were flying high for 3 industries in specific - AI & Machine Learning, SaaS and Fintech. AI was the most invested industry last month, having secured nearly £300M in invested capital across 27 deals. SaaS followed with 19 deals that altogether received £215M, and FinTech obtained £196M across 14 deals.

At the end of each month, we produce a more in-depth article highlighting the companies that have raised the most as well as the top players when it comes to investors, both across the UK and New York in the Seed - Series B tech space.

Make sure to check out our next month edition for insights covering July.

Current Opportunities

In this episode we have highlighted just a handful of our newest jobs, if you would like to apply for any of these roles please send an email to [email protected]

If you have a similar role you are currently recruiting for, register your vacancy here!