OPUS, a membership community dedicated to fostering a new generation of British entrepreneurs, is set to announce a significant $2 million capital injection. This funding comes from a syndicate of angel investors and family offices, marking a pivotal moment for the organization. Alongside this financial boost, OPUS will also reveal that Marc Porat, a distinguished co-founder of General Magic—the company renowned for pioneering early technologies that paved the way for the modern smartphone—will be joining its board as a director.

Since its inception, OPUS has successfully attracted nearly 1,000 technology company founders to its community. The organization's core mission is to provide crucial support to these entrepreneurs during the challenging embryonic stages of building their businesses. Sam Tidswell-Norrish, Chair of OPUS, emphasized the foundational philosophy of the community, stating, “Anything anyone has ever achieved has been due to the support and actions of others. That’s what OPUS is built on – the power of the collective.” He further added, “This raise is a signal of intent: that OPUS and its investors are deeply committed to backing the founders of tomorrow.”

OPUS maintains a physical presence in central London and is currently in the process of establishing a dual base in South Africa, extending its reach and support network. The newly acquired $2 million in funding is earmarked for strategic deployment. Specifically, it will be used to enhance support for founders through the innovative application of artificial intelligence in critical areas such as fundraising, recruitment, product development, and operational management.

The community's credibility is further underscored by its impressive list of backers, which includes prominent figures like Miguel McKelvey, the co-founder of WeWork, and Imtiaz Patel, the former chief executive of MultiChoice Group. Marc Porat shared his enthusiasm for joining OPUS, noting, “OPUS’s mission deeply resonates with my own journey. The early stages of building are always the most challenging – even for the most talented, experienced and well-connected founder. Community and friendships unlock opportunity, and being able to contribute towards a platform that leverages technology to scale that value to early-stage founders is exceptionally exciting.”

In addition to the funding and Porat's appointment, OPUS will also announce this week that Ken Donald, a former executive at the British fintech company Snoop, is appointed as its new co-managing director. He will serve alongside Kerry Fennell, strengthening the leadership team as OPUS embarks on its next phase of growth and support for entrepreneurs.