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Baltic Ventures, the Liverpool City Region’s flagship early-stage tech accelerator and investment platform, has appointed co-founder and Chair Carl Wong as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective from March 2026.
The appointment follows a recruitment process that began in November 2025 and forms part of the organisation’s planned leadership transition as it enters its next phase of growth.
Carl Wong is a Liverpool-born entrepreneur and technology founder. Alongside David Woods, he co-founded LivingLens, a research technology platform built in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle and acquired by global experience management company Medallia in 2020. The experience of building and scaling a globally recognised technology company from the city region directly informed the creation of Baltic Ventures.
Since launching in Spring 2023, Baltic Ventures’ Accelerator and Launchpad programmes have supported more than 50 high-growth, early-stage technology companies. Through bootcamps and workshops, over 300 founders across the city region have engaged with its programmes. The Baltic Ventures angel syndicate has invested more than £1.2m, with portfolio companies going on to raise over £12m in follow-on funding to date.
Left to right: Claire Lewis, Carl Wong and David Woods
As CEO, Carl will lead Baltic Ventures into its next chapter, with a sharpened focus on commercial sustainability, strengthening capital pathways and scaling the region’s innovation infrastructure.
Carl Wong, incoming CEO of Baltic Ventures, said:
“Baltic Ventures was created on the belief that world-class technology companies can and should be built from the Liverpool City Region. Having experienced that journey first-hand with LivingLens, I know what is possible here.
“Over the past three years, strong foundations have been established and exceptional founders have been backed. The opportunity ahead is significant. Our focus now is on deepening commercial strength, expanding access to capital and increasing ambition for founders building globally scalable businesses from this region.”
Joining the executive team is David Woods, who will take on the role of Chief Commercial & Operating Officer. A co-founder of LivingLens and active investor and advisor, Woods brings significant experience in operational scaling, capital strategy and building high-growth technology businesses. He will work closely with Wong to strengthen commercial delivery and investor engagement as Baltic Ventures expands its impact.
Claire Lewis, outgoing CEO and co-founder of Baltic Ventures, said:
“Carl is deeply connected to Baltic Ventures’ purpose and mission. No one better understands the journey of building and scaling a technology company from this region.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have built over the past five years and confident that, together with David and the wider team, Carl will lead Baltic Ventures into a bold and commercially focused new phase.”
Baltic Ventures was established following a £4.1m investment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with a mandate to unlock opportunities for early-stage digital and emerging technology founders. The organisation plays a key role in strengthening the region’s startup and scale-up ecosystem, supporting productivity-led growth and positioning Liverpool as an investable destination for innovation.
Under its new leadership, Baltic Ventures will continue to expand investor networks, corporate partnerships and founder support, building a stronger pipeline of high-growth technology companies rooted in the Liverpool City Region.
