Operator Exchange
Operator Exchange is a group of angel investors comprised of individuals who have founded or built fast-growing startups. Their investment strategy revolves around providing not only capital but also the experience and network of its members to support portfolio companies. They aim to be the type of investors that founders themselves would want to raise money from, suggesting a founder-friendly approach. They are not a fund but rather a group of individual investors who invest up to $50k. The firm prioritizes speed in decision-making and investment, facilitated by their non-fund structure. While they review numerous startups, only about 5% receive investment, indicating a selective process. The overall investment philosophy is to serve founders and offer support when needed, leveraging the operator experience of the members. This implies a willingness to be actively involved and provide guidance based on their own experiences in building and scaling companies. They aim to offer value beyond just capital, utilizing their experience and network to help their portfolio companies succeed.
Capital Mills
Capital Mills is an entrepreneur-led growth capital firm that provides smart, data-driven funding to help entrepreneurs achieve their goals. They bring real-world entrepreneurial experience, offering capital, insights from founders who have faced similar challenges, practical know-how in areas like software development and scaling, and specific software expertise. They offer both non-dilutive loans, such as ARR Loans and flexible credit lines, and equity investments, tailoring the funding mix to fit the specific stage and goals of the company. The firm aims to be more than just a source of capital, acting as a network of over 60 entrepreneurs who have successfully built and sold companies, mainly in the tech sector, offering active support and long-term collaboration.
Pjotr van Schothorst
PVS Investments is a private investor providing seed funding for climate tech startups. Pjotr van Schothorst, the founder, leverages his entrepreneurial experience and technical background in applied physics to identify and invest in early-stage companies with the potential to limit global warming. He is particularly interested in university spin-outs with technical innovations in areas such as improved batteries, CO2 capture, and renewable energy. His early-stage focus allows him to step in much earlier than most VCs. He focuses on startups with potential for disruption when scaled up. PVS Investments targets companies working on innovative clean energy production, battery technologies, e-mobility, green chemicals, precision fermentation, CO2 capture and sequestration, and industrial decarbonization. He invests in venture builders like Marble Studio and Food Founders Studio, as well as aquaculture investors and PV and biogas projects. Pjotr's investment decisions are driven by a desire to contribute to solving global energy, water, and food supply problems through clean energy and waste valorization solutions. Beyond financial investment, Pjotr offers his experience to founders. This includes reviewing their go-to-market strategy, investor pitch, and team composition. He also leverages his network to introduce them to VC investors for the next funding round. His technical background allows him to quickly assess the viability of deep tech innovations. The firm operates as a personal investment venture, supported by experienced partners with expertise in entrepreneurship, chemical engineering, intellectual property (IP) protection, and strategy & risk analysis.
Maven 11 Capital
Maven 11 is a crypto-native fund that partners with brave outliers challenging the status quo by redefining ownership. They believe ownership will be redefined by open, inclusive, and permissionless crypto networks. The firm focuses on providing guidance and hands-on help to their founders. They actively participate alongside their founders in true partnership, valuing bold founders who act on their insights and partnering with them from the beginning. They emphasize technical fluency, seeking founders with deep technical understanding, and believe that strong relationships are crucial for navigating market complexities.
TIN Capital
TIN Capital is a Dutch venture capital firm specializing in cybersecurity and IoT security startups and scale-ups based in Europe. Their investment thesis centers on identifying and supporting entrepreneurs with vision, a winning mentality, and execution power to build a safe and resilient Europe with security tech. They believe in technological autonomy for Europe, particularly in the face of increasing digital threats. The firm leverages its extensive network, including public-private partnerships and its membership in the European Cyber Security Organization (ECSO) and Security Delta (HSD), to boost its portfolio companies. TIN Capital's strategy is to focus on security tech, making them the only investment firm based in the Benelux specialized in cybersecurity. The European Cyber Tech Fund V, launched on October 31, 2023, with a target size of over €80 million, supports European startups and scale-ups in cybersecurity, IoT security, privacy enhancing technologies, national and economic security tech, and cyber liability insurtech.
WePlay Ventures
WePlay Ventures is a Gaming VC focused on supporting pre-seed and seed-stage gaming studios in Europe, Central Asia, and Turkey. They aim to power the future of gaming through strategic capital, their extensive network, and deep industry expertise. They go beyond traditional investment by actively partnering with studios, offering an acceleration program (WePlay HUB) and a smart money model to drive growth. Their approach involves functioning as teammates, providing support in all aspects of the studio's journey. WePlay Ventures invests in early-stage gaming studios across all platforms and genres, providing up to $300k with 15% equity. They utilize the WePlay HUB, a 3-month acceleration program, to provide studios with resources, events, and introductions to key partners. This program includes interactive business and technical workshops, as well as 1:1 mentorship led by industry leaders. The firm also operates WePlay Starz, a digital platform that connects investment-ready studios with partners, mentors, and potential collaborations. Their core philosophy revolves around providing value beyond capital. The firm leverages its wide network across different sectors and acts as a first mover in the region. Their team possesses significant experience in both gaming and startups. Their 'Smart Money' approach involves actively supporting game studios, and they offer a flexible and fast investment structure, making them active partners in the studios’ success.
Early Game Ventures
Early Game Ventures focuses on leading early rounds in European startups, particularly in the CEE region, with a focus on investing "before it works" and "before it's obvious." They seek out founders who are deeply committed to solving significant problems and are willing to take substantial risks. Their approach is contrarian, seeking to identify opportunities that others may overlook. They aim to provide not just capital but also strategic support to help startups navigate the critical early stages of development, recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities present in the CEE ecosystem. The firm looks for companies that can become category leaders and have a transformative impact on their respective industries. They emphasize the importance of building something that people genuinely care about, suggesting a focus on products or services with strong market demand and a clear value proposition.
01Ventures
01Ventures focuses on investing in Europe's deep tech scene. They are driven to solve fundamental challenges and make a lasting impact. Their investment strategy centers on supporting European founders who are working on fundamental scientific and engineering advancements that can drive sustainable, real-world impact. They emphasize providing more than just financial capital, leveraging operational experience to actively clear the path for their portfolio companies' growth and identify potential for impact early on. 01Ventures seeks out bold and innovative companies, recognizing that pushing the boundaries of deep technology requires a certain degree of audacity. The firm believes Europe is the cradle of innovation, highlighting its historical contributions to technology. They aim to join founders in making their vision happen, taking a collaborative approach rather than a top-down, command-oriented one. They see companies as more than just spreadsheets. 01Ventures emphasizes their team of passionate technologists, engineers, and entrepreneurs, suggesting a hands-on and knowledgeable approach to supporting their investments.
Acrobator Ventures
Acrobator Ventures is a relationship-first fund that invests in early-stage startups, starting at pre-seed and potentially backing them until exit. They focus on B2B(2C) AI/ML software companies operating in cybersecurity, fintech, infrastructure, synthetic media, and data-heavy technologies. They have a particular interest in founders from the CIS, Baltics, and CEE regions who are building global software platforms. Acrobator Ventures provides initial investments ranging from $200k to $1.25m, preferably in a lead investor role. They are willing to participate in follow-on rounds A, B, and C. The firm emphasizes founder coaching and operational support, rolling up their sleeves when needed to assist portfolio companies. The firm's investment philosophy is rooted in their own experiences as founders and operators. They have built businesses, led large development teams, scaled SaaS companies, and invested across diverse regions and cultures, giving them a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by early-stage startups.
Aletra Capital Partners
Aletra Capital Partners B.V. is a hands-on investment company with a dual focus. In Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany), they target corporate divestitures of non-core business units, family-owned businesses facing succession issues, and stand-alone companies requiring turnaround management or growth acceleration. In Singapore, they focus on young ventures seeking bridge financing or (pre) Series A funding. The firm emphasizes close collaboration with management teams to enhance growth and value. They are willing to support activities such as restructuring or growth programs. A key characteristic is their use of their own funds, avoiding reliance on external investors or covenants. This allows them the flexibility to invest in opportunities they believe in and can add true value to. Aletra Capital Partners distinguishes itself through a long-term investment horizon, avoiding short-term “buy and flip” strategies that may be detrimental to the long-term health of the company. They seek companies with international potential through exports, alliances, international presence, or joint ventures, with understandable and scalable business models and open to new majority shareholders. Their investment focus in Europe encompasses medical technology and IT/software, including medical devices, assays, biomarkers and reagents, medical (embedded) IT, and general IT/software.
Anterra Capital
Anterra Capital focuses on leveraging technology to build a safe, sustainable, and resilient food system. They aim to empower farmers to sustainably produce more and get a larger cut, clear new pathways to boost animal health and quality of life, and improve consumer access to healthier, more nutritious foods. They invest across the entire value chain, from farmer to consumer, supporting companies leveraging breakthrough biotechnology or digital solutions. Their investment strategy spans multiple stages, partnering with companies from incubation onward, with a typical initial check of $1-10 million at the Seed or Series A stages. Anterra is committed to investing for impact, backing entrepreneurs that positively transform the planet, improve health, and improve livelihoods. They emphasize measuring and reporting their portfolio impact. Anterra leverages a unique network to provide portfolio companies with access to potential customers, experts, advisors, and talent across the food value chain. They are backed by institutional investors, strategics, and family offices, including Rabobank, Eight Roads (Fidelity International), Novo Holdings, and Tattarang. Anterra's team acts as a bridge between technology, investor, and agrifood ecosystems. They co-founded F&A Next with Rabobank and Wageningen University, a leading agrifoodtech gathering in Europe, showcasing their commitment to the future of food.
CapitalT
CapitalT is a seed stage venture capital fund that invests in tech companies with brilliant teams who aim to change how the world lives, learns, works, and communicates. They focus on supporting entrepreneurs of all backgrounds who build purpose-driven companies around the technologies of the future and who have the passion and intuition to transform their expert ideas into real breakthroughs. The firm believes that great people make great companies. By investing early and collaborating deeply, they help exceptional teams developing groundbreaking ideas to grow better, scale faster, and spark change across their industries. They look for digital natives who understand the needs of today’s consumers and want to improve their industries and challenge traditional approaches by using artificial intelligence, machine learning, or big data. They also seek entrepreneurs who want to contribute to building a better, more sustainable, and equal world. CapitalT fosters strong relationships and leverages its connections to enable founders to unlock their greatest potential, and complements their core team with a robust network of operating partners and scouts.
Curiosity VC
Curiosity VC invests in early-stage AI software companies located in the Nordic, Baltic, and Benelux regions. They focus on companies that have launched their first product and are demonstrating positive customer response. Their investment philosophy centers around building AI solutions that serve the world, aligning with European values and prioritizing responsible AI development. They target companies creating value for businesses and society, concentrating on four socio-economic themes: Sustainable Living (PropTech, Energy, ClimateTech), Trusted Society (LegalTech, Privacy, Cybersecurity), Future of Work (Enterprise SaaS, HRTech, DevOps), and Future of Commerce (Fintech, Marketing & Sales Automation, Logistics). Founded in 2021, Curiosity VC aims to help build the next generation of software companies that prioritize societal good. They are a community-powered firm, leveraging a network of entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors. They focus on talented and diverse teams to build the next generation of AI-driven global software companies. They believe in the power of entrepreneurs to change the status quo and to build organizations with purpose. Inclusion and diversity are key values, aiming to create and support inclusive teams that benefit from diverse backgrounds. Curiosity VC operates on a community and co-ownership model, where portfolio founders and advisors become co-owners of the fund, sharing in profits and reinvesting in the entrepreneurial ecosystem through the Curiosity Foundation.
DOMiNO Ventures
DOMiNO Ventures focuses on backing emerging founders from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus who are building high-tech, pure-digital, and 'first-day global' startups. They are particularly interested in founders who are obsessed with finding innovative ways to build a better future, creating what they term the 'DOMiNO Effect.' They support companies from Seed to Series B, aiming to be long-term allies, offering support and sharing knowledge even before investment. They look for startups with global scaling potential and those that are fully in-house tech solutions with laser focus. They emphasize the importance of qualified founders and multi-functional teams.
ENA Venture Capital
ENA Venture Capital focuses on partnering with entrepreneurs who aim to improve the world, drive societal progress, and leverage technology for economic growth. They are particularly passionate about investing in visionary founders building the technology stack of the future. The firm aims to provide not only funding but also strategic guidance based on their experience managing large businesses. Their mission is to support passionate visionary tech investors.
Great Stuff Ventures
Invests in diverse, multi-disciplinary founding teams building innovative tech solutions in underserved markets. Focuses on early-stage acceleration, co-investment, and equity deals, with a hands-on approach to helping founders close rounds via their network.
Inkef Capital
Based on the available data, Inkef Capital aims to build successful companies with global footprints. The firm's strategy appears to be focused on partnering with dynamic and diverse teams. The limited information prevents a more in-depth summary of their investment thesis or specific strategic goals.
Mindshift Ventures
Invests in visionary founders leveraging technology and entrepreneurship to solve real-world challenges, aiming for industry-disrupting impact.
Newion
Newion is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and expansion-stage technology companies, focusing exclusively on innovative business software. They typically participate in seed rounds or Series A rounds, providing capital and support to help companies scale and achieve their potential. Their investment approach centers on identifying companies with strong potential to disrupt and transform the business software landscape. Newion looks for companies that address significant market needs with innovative solutions. They seek out businesses with strong founding teams, scalable business models, and a clear path to sustainable growth. The firm's focus on business software allows them to develop deep expertise in the sector and provide valuable insights and support to their portfolio companies. Newion's portfolio demonstrates a focus on B2B solutions, spanning areas such as content management, delivery service integration, business intelligence, telecom solutions, marketing & sales enablement, TV app development, food management platform, and insurance policy administration systems. The firm has a history of successful exits, including companies acquired by larger entities like ServiceNow and Amino Technologies.
Newion Partners B.V.
Newion Partners B.V. is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and expansion-stage technology companies, exclusively focusing on innovative business software. They typically participate in seed rounds or A-rounds. The firm aims to partner with companies that have the potential to disrupt traditional industries through technological innovation.
No Such Ventures
No Such Ventures focuses on backing European software-first companies. They invest between €1-5 million in Seed or Series A rounds, supporting companies that have found product-market fit and are ready to scale. Their primary goal is to support companies that strengthen European competitiveness. The firm aims to offer a flexible and active investment approach. This involves going beyond passive investment by actively supporting their portfolio companies. Their team emphasizes competitiveness and collaboration. They believe in building collaborative teams to achieve success. No Such Ventures operates based on four core values: originality, flexibility, focus, and fit. Originality involves being authentic and creative, while flexibility means thinking out-of-the-box and adapting to promising opportunities. Focus is about prioritizing attention to the most important inputs for success, and fit emphasizes taking care of physical and mental well-being to excel.
PhotonVentures
PhotonVentures is a deep tech venture capital firm exclusively focused on integrated photonics, a key enabling technology poised to revolutionize various sectors due to the increasing demand for data and energy efficiency. Recognizing the limitations of traditional electronics, PhotonVentures invests in companies harnessing the power of light to create more compact, high-speed, and energy-efficient data transport and systems. The firm's investment strategy centers on supporting sustainable, innovative technologies with the potential to serve a global market, solve complex challenges, and transform industries. They aim to invest in companies throughout their development, scaling, and exit phases, providing capital, industry connectivity, and hands-on support. PhotonVentures leverages its strategic partnership with PhotonDelta, the European hub for integrated photonics, to gain in-house expertise and a thorough understanding of the industry's success drivers and value inflection points. This deep understanding allows them to identify and invest in promising European integrated photonics companies with precision. Their ecosystem-based funding strategy promotes mutual use of resources among portfolio companies, reducing learning curves, lowering development costs, and accelerating time to market. PhotonVentures' ambition is to develop integrated photonics technology to promote sustainability, inclusivity, and global connectivity. As an Article 8 fund, PhotonVentures complies with ESG requirements and supports sustainable innovation, focusing on technologies that will have a long-term impact. The fund is designed to create economic value with investments in differentiating deep-tech companies that can rapidly address a large global market, impact society, and maintain a strong, unique, and defensible technology position in integrated photonics. The firm aims to be at the forefront of the integrated photonics revolution, creating new markets, exponential financial returns, and a better future for all.
River Venture Partners
Curiosity Venture Partners invests in early-stage software companies building AI and ML solutions with a focus on B2B applications that create value for both businesses and society. They target founders in the Nordic, Baltic, and Benelux regions, aiming to support teams with international ambition and alignment with European values. Their investment strategy centers around companies that have successfully launched their first product and are demonstrating positive customer traction. They aim to back companies that are creating solutions that serve the world and don't "eat it", which reflects their commitment to ethical and responsible technology development.
Sinan Guler
Based on the provided website content, Sinan Güler is transitioning from a professional basketball player to a social entrepreneur and investor, specifically in the sports technology space. His investment thesis appears to be centered around leveraging his experience and network in the sports world to support and mentor young athletes and foster innovation in sports-related technologies. His involvement in Güler Legacy and BİDEV suggests a focus on social impact and community development through sports.