Sequoia scraps London office as UK employees face axe
Silicon Valley venture capital giant Sequoia Capital is shutting its London office and cutting staff, just six years after expanding into Europe, in a major retreat from Britain’s startup investment scene. The US investor, an early backer of Apple, Airbnb and Stripe, confirmed the closure in a sweeping restructuring announcement, saying it no longer saw [...]
Venture capital giant Sequoia Capital is closing its London office and laying off staff, six years after expanding into Europe. The US investor, a pioneer of Apple, Airbnb and Stripe, announced the move in a restructuring plan, stating it no longer requires a physical presence in the capital. Sequoia's London office, opened in 2020, will become vacant, with several employees leaving the firm.
The decision comes despite London's thriving tech investment scene, with UK startups raising $23.7bn (£17.8bn) in venture capital last year, a 33% increase from the previous year. However, Britain's startup sector continues to rely heavily on overseas investment, with foreign capital constituting 74% of the country's venture funding in 2025.
The closure is part of a broader overhaul, including the discontinuation of the Arc accelerator and Scouts programs, and a shift towards a more selective investment strategy. Sequoia insists it remains committed to backing European startups but will handle investment decisions from its Silicon Valley headquarters.
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