Nick Hancock
Principal
Overview
Nick is a Principal at One Peak focused on the origination and execution of new investments, while actively supporting the growth and strategic initiatives of existing portfolio companies.
Prior to One Peak, Nick was an investment analyst at Carmignac, where he led global Technology, Media, and Telecom (TMT) coverage across all public equity strategies. Previously, Nick worked as an associate at KKR in their Americas Technology Private Equity team in Menlo Park, as well as at RBC Capital Markets in their Technology Mergers and Acquisitions team in San Francisco and New York.
Nick holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Statistics from the University of California, Berkeley in the United States. He speaks English and Mandarin.
Outside of the office, Nick enjoys playing squash, football, and golf, and loves traveling to new places with his wife and friends.
Q&A
What unique perspective do you bring to your work?
I’ve had the unique experience of working across growth equity, late-stage private equity, and public markets. This varied background allows me to understand the full lifecycle of scaling a tech company from early-growth through later-stage scaling, and, for some, IPO preparation and successfully navigating the public markets.
I’ve also spent my entire career within technology, and while software has always been a core focus, my experience spans the full spectrum of 'TMT,' including semiconductors, IT services, media, telecommunications, consumer internet, and financial technology/payments, giving me a broader understanding of how each of these sectors drives innovation and shapes the broader tech landscape.
Finally, having lived in Asia, Australia, the US (both the Bay Area and New York), and now Europe, I bring a global perspective and network that enables me to support founders as they navigate diverse markets and look to expand their businesses internationally.
What do you see as the biggest challenge for building global category-leading businesses from Europe?
Europe has immense potential for building world-class technology businesses, with an exceptional pool of technical talent, a relatively lower cost base, and vast opportunities for digital adoption. However, several structural challenges remain. The fragmented nature of the market can complicate scaling across borders and contributes to naturally shallower capital markets. Additionally, founders often lack boards and investors with the experience or mindset needed to foster the ambitious, growth-oriented culture required to compete on a global scale.
That said, things are changing. The European tech ecosystem is rapidly growing and maturing, and with the right support and resources, I’m confident that Europe will produce many more technology leaders in the years to come.
What qualities do you look for in growth-stage founders?
At the growth stage, companies have ideally overcome most technology and product-related risks, so our underwriting focus shifts to execution. We often look for founders with an inherent ‘right-to-win’ – whether it's an unparalleled understanding of their market, an innovative strategic approach that establishes a unique competitive moat, or an exceptional ability to attract and inspire world-class teams. We also look for founders who have the ambition and resilience to partner with us over the long-term to build global, category-leading businesses.
Connect
linkedin