FT News Briefing London VC’s bet on Revolut pays off
61 snips
Jan 14, 2026 
Martha Muir, an FT energy reporter, shares insights on Microsoft's promise to absorb the costs of AI data centres, highlighting local opposition and political hurdles. Ivan Levingston, an FT European deals reporter, discusses Balderton Capital’s £1 million investment in Revolut, which yielded massive returns. He emphasizes the strategic foresight behind backing innovative fintech ventures and how successful small funds can significantly impact a VC's overall performance.
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Executives Plead Not Guilty In Collapse
- Former Tree Calor CEO Daniel Chu and COO David Goodgame pleaded not guilty to fraud charges in New York.
- Prosecutors allege the firm fabricated data while borrowing over $1bn from lenders including J.P. Morgan and Barclays.
Make Data Center Costs Transparent
- Microsoft pledged to "pay its way" by agreeing to higher electricity rates and infrastructure costs for AI data centres.
- Companies should disclose deal terms transparently to reassure local communities and regulators.
Local Backlash Can Stall AI Ambitions
- Local opposition and rising electricity prices have stalled some data centre projects.
- Governments and firms must balance AI ambitions with electoral and consumer energy-cost concerns.