Federico Pirzio-Biroli

Fede graduated with an MA in psychology and philosophy from St. Andrews University, and was educated in a variety of international schools (Washington DC, Vienna, Brussels) before attending boarding school in the UK. At university, he organized a variety of prominent events. 

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He also runs a large Burning Man camp and can usually be found in Reno, NV for a significant part of August.

Fede Pirzio-Biroli founded Playfair Capital in early 2011 as an early-stage investment vehicle to hold his angel investments. Moving into White Bear Yard as an angel-in-residence under the wing of Passion Capital, he spent the next two years building his network in London and making seed investments in 21 companies. 

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In early 2013, Fede turned Playfair Capital into an LLP and hired two partners to help him scale the fund. Soon thereafter he acquired a 10,000-square-foot building in East London, redeveloping the premises into a coworking space. Warner Yard opened in May 2013 with 170 desks, and is home to Techstars London, about 20 startups, and a dozen early-stage investors putting incubation, an accelerator, and investment all under one roof. 

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Having spent 3 years working with NGOs in East Africa, Fede has a particular interest in social entrepreneurship with a long-term goal of deploying capital and helping companies grow in emerging economies and the developing world. He believes entrepreneurship is the key to sustainable development, and that education is fundamental to helping to create and motivate new entrepreneurs. 

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Fede also continues to make personal investments that do not fit into the criteria of Playfair, and is a member on 5 boards.

Fede performed his fellowship at Playfair Capital as a member of Class 19.