Chris Adelsbach

Chris Adelsbach is a prominent entrepreneur and investor based in London, known for his significant contributions to the fintech sector. He is the Founding Partner and Managing Partner of Outrun Ventures, a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in early-stage fintech companies. Under his leadership, Outrun Ventures has become recognized for its strategic investments in disruptive financial technologies across Europe.124

Early Career and Education

Adelsbach graduated from the University of Michigan in 1995 and later completed the GE Financial Management Program in 1997. He began his career at GE Money, where he held various leadership roles until 2006. Following this, he co-founded Marlin Financial Group, which quickly grew to become one of the UK's fastest-growing privately held companies. Marlin was sold to a NASDAQ-listed entity in 2014, marking a significant exit for Adelsbach.135

Venture Capital and Investments

After exiting Marlin Financial Group, Chris transitioned into venture capital, becoming an active angel investor with a portfolio that includes over 140 companies, many of which are now notable players in the fintech space. He has been recognized multiple times for his impact as an investor, including being named the Angel Investor of the Year by the UK Business Angels Association in 2018/19 and listed as one of Europe's most active fintech angels by Sifted.2345

Adelsbach also served as the Managing Director of the Barclays Accelerator powered by Techstars, where he was instrumental in nurturing numerous startups within the fintech ecosystem. His investment strategy often involves early-stage funding, where he aims to support founders through their growth journey from seed to Series A and beyond.126

Current Roles and Contributions

In addition to his role at Outrun Ventures, Adelsbach is a Venture Partner at Techstars and serves on several advisory boards, including those for Crowdz and Quant Network. He remains actively involved with the University of Michigan alumni community, holding positions such as President of the U of M Alumni Association (U.K.).145

Personal Life

Chris Adelsbach lives just outside London with his wife, Emily, and their three children. The family enjoys exploring the British countryside and frequently visits Ann Arbor to reconnect with his alma mater.1