Samantha Deakin is an entrepreneur, start-up coach, and community builder.
As co-founder and director of Campus Capital, the first Venture Capital firm in Europe to frontend a fund with Student VCs, Deakin has played a significant role in shaping the early-stage investment landscape.
Deakin has held numerous leadership positions in events and organisations such as Startup Weekend, LeanConf, and Techstars. She is currently a ‘Super Connector’ at Capital Enterprise (TEAM SY) and recently joined PreSeed Now as its first head of growth.
Deakin shared her career journey, tips and advice…
How did you first get into your industry?
I started my first business at 22 and one of my early clients was the University of Sheffield’s extracurricular enterprise unit. After a couple of years, they created a job for me, and I found myself surrounded by people who were brimming with ideas and the drive to bring them to life. In 2012, I ran my first Startup Weekend, an entrepreneurial hackathon that became a pioneering event for the region. It was the catalyst for my reputation as a startup community leader to flourish.
What do you love about your job?
As a Super Connector, I love taking an ecosystem approach to supporting tech start-ups. It’s not just about one programme or one startup, but all the pieces of the puzzle and how they’re arranged to ensure startups have access to the support they need to reach their full potential.
My job allows me to have engaging conversations with founders, investors, universities, and policymakers – everyone who plays a part in the startup ecosystem. It’s varied, and exciting, and when I make a great connection that benefits both sides, I get to experience the warm, fuzzy feeling of having made an impact.
At PreSeed Now, I relish the opportunity to build products, hunt for value, and make numbers go up and charts trend upwards. It’s quite addictive!
Who – or what – has inspired you in your career?
Early on, I was inspired by my fellow community leaders in the Techstars Startup Weekend family who volunteered their time to create environments where innovation could thrive. Later, I found inspiration in colleagues and mentors. Over the past decade, I’ve been consistently inspired by the founders I work with, and this goes double for women founders and those from under-represented backgrounds who found and grow their startups against the odds. I find myself learning more about business every day, but also on an emotional and psychological level. I’m in awe of their resilience, grit, and unwavering belief in the problems they’re solving and their vision for a better world.
What are the biggest challenges about your job?
Managing multiple stakeholders comes with its challenges, like navigating the various “languages” required to convey your messages effectively, and holding an awareness of the competing and different priorities and motivations. The way you speak to a founder might not resonate with someone from the public sector, and different things matter to each of them. It’s an art, and when in doubt, I rely on active listening.
What skills have been the most crucial to you succeeding in your career so far?
Creative problem-solving and active listening have been among the most transferable and valuable skills across all my roles. My brain is constantly generating ideas and scanning for solutions, and I’ve honed the ability to identify and act on the best ones. Listening to others and connecting their thoughts with other ideas have been essential. These skills have been particularly useful in environments of extreme uncertainty.
What was your first salary and what could someone getting into the industry expect to earn nowadays?
My first salary was practically zero as I worked for whatever clients would pay me for digital marketing services. However, my first “proper job” paid around £26k, which wasn’t bad at the time. Nowadays, someone starting as a Marketing Officer would likely earn a similar amount.
What education or training would be most useful for someone looking to follow your career path?
I earned a BA in Journalism Studies before diving into venture capital and building tech start-up ecosystems, so my path isn’t exactly a straight line. A career like mine is more about having an open mindset, taking measured risks, embracing challenges, and saying “yes” to new experiences. You’ll find people with PhDs in startup ecosystems and those without any formal education who are equally successful. If you’re interested in pursuing a degree, do it for your own personal growth. To become a startup community leader or ecosystem builder, attend meetups, hackathons or unconferences – participate, co-organise, or volunteer. Essentially, build your own composite degree from life experience.
What advice would you have for someone looking to follow your path?
If you’re eager to follow in my footsteps, buckle up for a wild ride! Embrace the mindset of being open to opportunities and taking measured risks, all while pursuing thrilling and challenging work. Be prepared for a rollercoaster of saying “yes” to new experiences and occasionally flying by the seat of your pants.
To become a startup community leader or ecosystem builder, dive headfirst into the world of innovation. Attend meetups, hackathons, and unconferences—whether as a bright-eyed participant, an enthusiastic co-organiser, or a superhero volunteer. You’ll forge connections that will rival a LinkedIn influencer’s network and learn from others in ways that make traditional classrooms seem archaic.
Remember, building a unique career path is like assembling a beautiful mosaic—collect and combine pieces of your interests, strengths, and a generous sprinkling of curiosity. As you fit each piece together, you’ll create a vibrant and distinctive masterpiece that reflects your journey. This approach to success is equal parts inspiring, exciting, and terrifying. Just be ready to embrace the unexpected twists and turns that are sure to keep you on your toes!
