Haatch's start-up investment arm is to bolster its ranks further this week with the hire of an experienced associate to support its growing portfolio.

The hire, which comes just days after the appointment of experienced Head of Compliance Kate Cooper, is designed to expand the company's ability to provide its renowned hands-on support to its portfolio.

Taking the investment associate position, following an intense search, is experienced start-up exec and VC analyst Jeremy Luzinda.

The early-stage investment specialist joins from respected venture capital firm Playfair, where he supported the company's investments and their inbound deal flow.

"Jeremy joins us at a fascinating time," explained Haatch Partner Simon Penson. "Our north star remains job creation and the reinvention of how early-stage businesses are funded and then supported in that critical hyper-growth phase. There is little doubt that Jeremy's intelligence and experience will help us further that goal."

And the former start-up MD is equally excited about the opportunity, choosing Haatch out of a number of other VC opportunities.

Explaining his decision he commented: "Haatch is at an inflection point - we’re growing rapidly in AUM and we’re gaining reputation as a fund founders want to partner with. As an ex-founder, I love being in an environment where there’s so much opportunity for rapid growth and I have that at Haatch. There is little doubt that our model is the future of European VC and I cannot wait to get stuck in, he added."