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Decorative image — In the lift with: Issie James, co-founder of Onstage
For the new episode of "In the lift with", we’re joined by Issie James, Co‑founder of Onstage, on changing how founders access capital.
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In the lift with: Issie James

A lift ride doesn’t usually last long - but every now and then, it’s just enough time to get to the heart of a story. In this episode of "In the lift with", we’re joined by Issie James, co‑founder of Onstage, for a candid conversation on ambition, early setbacks, and rethinking how founders raise capital.

Between floors, Issie shares what led her to build Onstage - a platform designed to challenge the traditional fundraising process and make access to venture capital more open, efficient and fair. Less chasing warm intros, more genuine connection: founders front and centre, with investors coming to them.

She also talks about the moments that shaped her along the way - from getting fired early in her career, to the influence of her “pacer friends” (high‑achievers who keep her on her toes), and the best piece of advice she’s ever received.

"In the lift with" is a reminder that everyone here has a story worth sharing. Next time you’re in the lift, say hi - you might just find inspiration standing beside you.

“I’m quite a perfectionist, but in startups you need to move quickly - so I often just ask myself, ‘Is it good enough?’”
Issie JamesCo-founder, Onstage

Once the lift doors opened, we kept the conversation going. Below, Issie answers a few additional questions.

Describe Onstage in three words.

Efficient. Democratic. Exceptional.

What's Onstage’s elevator pitch?

We flip the fundraising process on its head for founders. Normally, founders would reach out to VCs themselves - it’s a really time‑consuming process and it’s not democratic. Instead, with Onstage, founders fill out a 10‑minute application form. We partner with around 350 investors who request introductions, and we invite the top 1% of founders to pitch in person at Demo Day. We also invest directly into early‑stage startups through our own fund.

What separates a great pitch from the rest?

Clarity. The ability to explain what you’re building in simple terms. Founders often assume someone in the room already understands their idea - they rarely do. Being a clear communicator is also a strong signal of leadership.