Claire Lewis has stepped down as CEO of Baltic Ventures.
Lewis co-founded the Liverpool-based pre-seed tech accelerator five years ago with Carl Wong.
It has evolved from a not-for-profit – launched with the backing of a £4m investment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority – into an angel syndicate and tech accelerator with a portfolio of 30 companies and eight-figure follow-on investments.
It has supported more than 200 founders to date.
Lewis, the former head of Tech North, said on LinkedIn that she is “ready for a change of rhythm… to take some time to rest and reset and to dedicate energy and focus to other areas and projects that I’m passionate about”.
“This has not been an easy decision because the truth is I have never been happier than working with the completely awesome Baltic Ventures team: it has been a joy,” said Lewis.
“Going forward, I will stay involved with Baltic Ventures as a Board member and supporting the new team as a consultant, while also taking on new consulting and NED projects outside of the organisation.
“I’ll be continuing in my current role until we have appointed the new CEO who will take this amazing organisation, that I am so proud of, on the next stage of its journey.”
The CEO position will be advertised on LinkedIn from Tuesday 4th November, said Lewis, who paid personal tributes to the Baltic team.
“To Mo Aldalou, Becca Harvey, Rachel Siner, Carl Wong, David Woods, Mark Rathbone and Riam Kanso – it’s been a privilege to work with each of you over the past few years, you are the best!
“I consider myself so lucky to have had this opportunity to build Baltic Ventures alongside you all. An enormous THANK YOU and big love.
“There are many, many, many people and organisations I also want to thank, because Baltic Ventures is only what it is due to the support of so many including the team at the LCRCA, our syndicate of angels, our coaches, investor friends, ecosystem partners and supporters and of course all the founders we work with – thank you so much to everyone and all you who have contributed to making Baltic Ventures what it is today.”