Marketplace operators
Launch sequencing, supply quality, local density, trust mechanics, pricing and category expansion.
Team
Built by operators, for early-stage founders.
Empee Capital's public site centers on Michael Pennington's operator background, with a broader operating network for marketplace, fintech, product, growth and fundraising questions.
Founder
Michael Pennington
Michael Pennington co-founded Gumtree from a flat in London and turned it into one of the UK's most visited websites, before selling to eBay in 2005. He then launched Slando across Eastern Europe, proving that marketplace models travel — but only when you respect local conditions. That hands-on experience of building from nothing, sequencing supply and demand, designing trust into product and knowing when to monetise is exactly what early-stage founders need but rarely find in an investor.
Michael is deliberately low-profile. He does not chase media attention or celebrity status. What he brings is operator conviction: a point of view shaped by building two marketplaces from scratch, getting them to scale, and then investing in the next generation of founders doing the same thing in fintech, software and digital infrastructure.
Operating timeline
Why this firm has a point of view on marketplaces and digital networks — because it was built from the inside.
2000Gumtree founded from a flat in London, starting with a community that needed flatshares, jobs and connections.
2005Sold to eBay after reaching millions of users — proving that local density scales when you get the model right.
SlandoLaunched a month later. Same classifieds thinking, new geographies, new trust problems, new distribution challenges.
NaspersSlando stakes sold, demonstrating that marketplace models travel — but only with local adaptation.
AngelSeed investments across fintech, marketplaces, care, software and infrastructure — learning what founders need at the messiest stage.
EmpeeFounder-led seed capital. Backing the next generation of marketplace and platform builders with operating conviction.
Operating network
Backed by operators, specialists and investors who have lived through the same problems founders face.
Fintech specialists
Regulation, payments, underwriting, risk, partnerships, customer trust and embedded distribution.
Product and growth leaders
Activation, retention, onboarding, acquisition loops, analytics and seed-to-Series A readiness.
Commercial advisors
Strategic partnerships, enterprise sales, channel design and category positioning.
Co-investor network
Seed funds, angels and operators who can help construct a round around the right company-building narrative.
Exit perspective
Understanding strategic options, acquirer logic and when a company is building long-term independent value.