Paul Sterriker’s career defies easy labels. He’s moved from military service to running businesses in healthcare, marketing, and recruitment, and now he’s exploring environmental art with his wife, Dr. Kasia Sterriker. These varied paths give him a fresh perspective on venture capital—one shaped more by lived experience than by numbers alone.
Before entering venture capital, Paul’s life was already rich with lessons. He began as a commissioned officer in the Royal Navy, where he honed discipline and leadership. After leaving the Navy, he started and ran businesses in diverse fields, learning firsthand how to navigate risk, seize opportunities, and bounce back from setbacks. These insights, earned through decades of work, now guide his investment choices in ways a purely financial background never could.
Paul often says, “The best investment isn’t the one with the biggest payout—it’s the one that helps people and ideas grow.” That belief comes from years of understanding the challenges startups face. For him, success isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about taking smart risks and focusing on the bigger picture.
When evaluating a potential investment, Paul starts with the team. “Brilliant ideas fail all the time because the team wasn’t right,” he explains. He looks for people who aren’t just skilled but also adaptable, dedicated, and willing to learn. Before committing, he spends time with founders to understand their motivations, how they handle setbacks, and whether they have the resilience to push through tough times.
Paul’s background as an entrepreneur gives him a unique perspective on risk. Unlike traditional investors, he doesn’t view failure as the end. “A failed startup doesn’t mean a failed entrepreneur,” he says. “It’s often just another step forward. The lessons from failure can lay the groundwork for future success.” This outlook makes him more open to taking chances on ideas that others might see as too risky.
For Paul, innovation isn’t about chasing trends or showing off flashy technology. It’s about finding smarter ways to solve real problems. He often reminds entrepreneurs to dig into the “why” behind their product or service. “If it doesn’t address a genuine need or improve what’s already out there, it’s going to be tough to make an impact,” he says.
Paul brings more than money to the table—he brings guidance. He works closely with founders to fine-tune strategies and strengthen business models. For him, mentorship is essential, especially in places like MENA, where startup ecosystems are still developing. “It’s not just about funding,” he says. “It’s about sharing expertise, creating connections, and opening doors.”
Connections are central to Paul’s approach. He links founders not just to investors but to other entrepreneurs, collaborators, and industry leaders. This focus on building networks has helped many startups get off the ground. “When people share knowledge and resources, everyone gains,” he says. “The stronger the connections, the stronger the ecosystem.”
Paul’s work goes beyond profits. He’s drawn to businesses that focus on sustainability or making a social impact. “It’s not just about making money,” he says. “It’s about backing ideas that improve the world.” He actively seeks startups that can create real change because he believes those are the ones that last.
At heart, Paul Sterriker is an entrepreneur first. His investments reflect the same curiosity, creativity, and risk-taking that drove him to build his own businesses. “Entrepreneurs see more than numbers,” he says. “They see potential.”
In the growing MENA startup scene, Paul is focused on nurturing talent. He sees the region’s challenges as opportunities. “There’s so much untapped potential here,” he says. “The right support can unlock incredible results.”
Altogether, Paul Sterriker isn’t just investing in businesses—he’s investing in people and communities. For him, venture capital is a way to create impact, one meaningful step at a time.