In public, entrepreneur Peter Cowley is one of Europe’s best-known angel investors and active supporters of British entrepreneurship.
Listed amongst the world’s business elite, Peter has invested in over 75 technology startups, and founded a further 12 technology and construction companies of his own. His book, The Invested Investor, is widely recognised as the startup community’s bible.
But in private, behind the towering successes, Peter’s personal grief and calamity have been unfathomable:
Two of his three children lost to suicide
Their mother died unexpectedly
His sister lost to alcoholism
His brother died aged 21 from cancer
Two decades in recovery from alcoholism
Now diagnosed with terminal Stage 4c cancer, Peter is writing his final book in his last few months, together with his wife, Liesbeth.
Public Success, Private Grief details for the first time the succession of tragic events which have shaped Peter’s life and fuelled his relentless drive and ambition. Peter shares how he has managed to find positivity and strength in the face of abject adversity, turning post-traumatic stress into post-traumatic success instead.
This last book doesn’t make easy reading. But it is, at its heart and as is intended, an inspirational and self-empowering memoir about overcoming tragedy and forging resilience, which many will benefit from.
To read the start of Peter’s cancer journey (the book covers all aspects of his life), please click here: BOOK TEASER
Matt, Ian, Peter and Alan. 1999 in Stamford
Alan encouraging me on the Cambridge 2021 half marathon, two weeks before my cancer-induced unsteadiness started and a year before he died.