VC-backed, or bootstrapped?
Chris (CEO, Paddle) and Marcus started their companies at the same time – but unlike Marcus, Chris raised $100M. In this interview, they discuss the pros and cons of both paths for growing tech companies.
WatchMarcus Taylor
Founder, Venture Harbour
Marcus is an Oxford-based serial entrepreneur
Marcus founded Venture Harbour in 2012, while only 21 years old, as a sandbox for building online ventures.
He's built a new company every year for 14 years following one rule – each must be more ambitious than the last. While six failed, two companies have been acquired, three still operate and three are in incubation.
Marcus has been featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30, and in 2022 he became the youngest Patron and Enterprise Fellow of the King's Trust in its 50-year history.
Marcus is currently building ventures in agentic AI and shares what he's learning here. You can contact Marcus here.
Featured in
- Deloitte Fast50
- Forbes 30 Under 30
- BBC
- The Guardian
- Campaign
- Inc
Media Appearances
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Bootstrapping nine businesses to millions in revenue
Abadesi Osunsade on what £500 and a broken laptop turned into — and why VH has never raised outside funding.
Listen -
Levelling Up with Marcus Taylor
Eric Siu on building Venture Harbour, the operator's playbook for compounding portfolios, and the bets paying off now.
Listen -
Measuring comfort zones
In 2013, Marcus developed the World's first scientifically-valid method of measuring artificial mental barriers.
Watch
Articles by Marcus · page 1 of 9
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