Henry de Zoete

Bro, let me put you onto Henry de Zoete. This guy’s the real deal. He’s a legit startup dude, went through YC in W18, and has been crushing it across gov, tech, and activism. No cap. His story’s all about jumping into the deep end, trying to shake things up, and never settling.

So, it all started with his passion for making real change. He co-founded The Big Deal back in 2014, a platform that kinda changed how consumers bargain collectively. Think Groupon but smarter. That move put him on the map as a legit tech innovator. Then, he jumped into the energy game with Look After My Bills, which became the UK’s biggest auto-energy switching service. They crushed it so hard they got bought by GoCo Group (the folks behind GoCompare) in 2019. Basically, he’s a guy who spots problems, builds solutions, and then scales them fast.

But it’s not just about startups. Henry’s also been deep in government and policy circles. He served as an adviser to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister on AI, yeah, the significant tech. He also sat on the Non-Exec board at the UK Cabinet Office. That’s advanced influence, proving he’s not just in it for the money but seriously shaping how the country uses tech.

Before all that, he was a special adviser at the Department for Education, helping shape policies around learning and innovation. Plus, he was involved with grassroots campaigns at 38 Degrees and even worked at Portland Communications, so he knows how to hustle in the trenches of activism and PR too.

What’s wild is his whole process screams one thing, he’s driven by a desire to solve problems and push boundaries. Whether it’s disrupting energy markets, advocating for smarter AI, or working with government to modernize, this guy’s mission is clear: make stuff better, faster, smarter. And he’s not just talking, he’s doing. Being part of YC, building big companies, then advising top government officials? That’s not accidental. It’s a guy who’s always been curious, always jumped into the fire, and never been afraid to wear different hats.

And, oh, he’s still plugged into the startup scene, angel investing, NED roles at places like Oak National Academy, always looking for the future trend. His background in Politics, Economics & Philosophy from Bristol just fuels his brain for these big, complex problems.

Bottom line? Henry’s the kind of guy who’s built his career on pushing the envelope, tech, policy, activism, you name it. He’s not just about the grind; he’s about making a dent, changing the game, and inspiring others to do the same. That’s why he’s so important. A true mix of entrepreneur, policy guy, and activist, no bullshit, just pure hustle.