Matt Varughese
About Matt Varughese
Matt Varughese is based in London and is the Director of Santara Consulting, a consultancy he started in 2022. Santara advises startup founders on technical strategy, hiring and fundraising. Its site also lists technical and AI due diligence for a healthtech VC.
He started his career as a derivatives trader at Goldman Sachs, then moved into software development. He co-founded Drover, a VC-backed car subscription marketplace, and was its CTO from 2015 to 2019. There he led a team of about thirty across engineering, product, QA and operations in London and Lisbon. Drover's acquisition by Cazoo in 2020 is noted on his LinkedIn profile. Crunchbase also lists him as CTO of Explovia from 2012 to 2014, and counts two companies founded.
From October 2019 to March 2022 he worked at Monolith AI as a software engineer, a role Crunchbase's bio describes as senior. Monolith builds AI tools for engineers. He holds a BA in Mathematics from Cambridge and an MSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from Oxford (2008 to 2009, per Crunchbase). He has also completed Stanford courses in machine learning and technology entrepreneurship.
Spex Capital describes him as an experienced angel investor. Crunchbase records one personal investment, an angel round in Propoly, and zero lead investments. Propoly was acquired by LFL in 2021, which Crunchbase counts as his one exit. The investment date and amount are not public, and no other angel investments could be confirmed from public sources.
No AI company investments by Matt are publicly documented. His AI exposure comes from operating roles. He worked on machine learning products at Monolith AI, and Santara Consulting lists AI and machine learning as a specialty. Through Spex Capital he works as an expert advisor on technical and AI due diligence.
His Spex Capital profile says he looks at pre-seed and seed startups with innovative technology across a range of industries. He is particularly interested in healthcare, artificial intelligence and mobility. Spex Capital itself is a London-based firm investing in early-stage digital health and med-tech. His check size and fund size are not public. He has not published a formal thesis beyond the Spex profile.
- Propoly: digital platform that helps letting agents reduce admin using newer technology. Matt invested in an angel round, date not public. Acquired by LFL in 2021.
Investing activity
Matt Varughese has made 1 investment according to Crunchbase across 1 portfolio company, and has seen 1 exit and founded 2 companies.
Deals
Frequently asked questions about Matt Varughese
Does Matt Varughese invest in AI startups?
He lists artificial intelligence as one of three areas of particular interest, with healthcare and mobility. No AI portfolio company is publicly documented, but he has worked in AI at Monolith AI and advises on AI due diligence.
What stage does Matt Varughese invest in?
His Spex Capital profile says he looks at pre-seed and seed stage startups with innovative technology.
What is Matt Varughese's check size?
Not public. Neither Crunchbase nor his own profiles state a check size.
Where is Matt Varughese based?
He is based in London, England, United Kingdom.
What is Matt Varughese's background?
He was co-founder and CTO of Drover, worked as a software engineer at Monolith AI, and began his career as a derivatives trader at Goldman Sachs. He now runs Santara Consulting and is an expert advisor at Spex Capital.
How can founders contact Matt Varughese?
His LinkedIn profile and the Santara Consulting website are the public channels. Founders should check that they have the right Matt Varughese, as other people share the name.
Is Matt Varughese an angel investor?
Yes. Matt Varughese invests personally as an angel and is Director at Santara Consulting. Crunchbase counts 1 investment and 1 exit.
How can founders reach Matt Varughese?
Founders on Lounge can see Matt Varughese's contact details in AI Investor Contacts (paid plans), check for a warm introduction through members who worked with them under Warm Paths, and add Matt Varughese to their Investor Pipeline to track the conversation.