Exclusive: No More Side Hustles: Why AI Startup Omnea Will Give Employees $250K To Openly Plan Their Next Startup

figure — omnea, a London-based artificial intelligence software company that helps businesses manage their supplier spending, is challenging traditional venture models with the launch of the Omnea Future Founders Fund. Created in partnership with the European angel fund Firedrop, the initiative gives Omnea employees who have completed five years of service a chance to pitch for $250,000 in seed funding to launch their own companies.

The initiative doesn’t just aim to discourage employees from hiding their entrepreneurial ambitions from leadership but actively supports them. Ben Freeman, founder and CEO of Omnea. (Courtesy photo) “Starting a business, you don’t want to speak to investors who you don’t know. You want to speak to people you know and trust, who want you to succeed and know what they’re talking about,” said Ben Freeman, founder and CEO of Omnea, in an exclusive interview with Crunchbase News explaining why the company decided to start the initiative. “And ideally, you want to get the advice of your colleagues. But it’s always taboo — telling your colleagues you want to go start something and quit your job. I don’t think it needs to be.” Eligible employees present their concepts in a single 30-minute pitch meeting to Freeman and Firedrop founder Pietro Invernizzi, with final investment decisions delivered within 24 hours. Alongside capital, accepted founders receive dedicated office space, operational support and ongoing coaching from Omnea’s executive team. How the funding works To keep the process simple for first-time business owners, the fund avoids strict, rigid formulas. Omnea has set a rough guidance benchmark of $250,000 against a $10 million valuation — which would convert to a 2.5% equity stake — giving new founders a sensible baseline so they aren’t left guessing about early-stage pricing. However, the program is built to be highly flexible. Founders can instead opt for an uncapped, discountless Simple Agreement For Future Equity (SAFE) note. Under this structure, Omnea provides $250,000 upfront with a valuation to be determined, leaving the final equity percentage open until the startup raises its next major round of capital. “The only reason I’ve set guidance is so people know roughly where to start,” Freeman said. “For 2.5%, we’re not causing dilution issues, and then the rest is up to them.” The initial $250,000 is intended as a “first check” or seed funding.