SIDE Angels
SIDE Angels is a French early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2016. They focus on supporting ambitious founders of tech and digital startups in their early stages. Their approach involves being the sole investor in seed rounds, providing financing between €300K to €600K. SIDE emphasizes a fair and agile deal-making process, prioritizing speed and equity for founders. Beyond capital, SIDE commits to actively supporting founders through coaching from experienced entrepreneurs, assistance with team structuring, process and governance development, strategy definition for marketing acquisition, defining relevant KPIs and reporting metrics, and preparing companies for subsequent funding rounds. They aim to be a benevolent partner in the growth journey of the startups they invest. SIDE seeks to be an active participant in the French innovation ecosystem by validating its model and solidifying its presence. The firm prides itself on a "SIDE by SIDE" approach, indicating a close working relationship with its portfolio companies. This approach goes beyond just providing capital; it actively involves entrepreneurs and experienced individuals who join the board to provide guidance and support. The firm was founded by Renaud Guillerm, who has extensive experience as an entrepreneur and investor. Guillerm co-founded Videdressing.com and has invested in numerous startups since 1999. SIDE was created with the involvement of about thirty experienced entrepreneurs. This background gives them a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by early-stage companies, allowing them to offer relevant and impactful support. Their investment strategy since inception has been focused on backing start-ups with capital and relevant mentorship. The firm states that as of 2023 they have invested in over 37 companies with a total of 35M€ invested.
SURFnCODE
SURFnCODE is a startup studio in Portugal that co-founds ventures with exceptional founders. They offer more than just advice or investment; they provide hands-on delivery, working as co-founders with a proven team and playbook to help startups reach their goals quicker, cheaper, and faster. They focus on building long-lasting businesses and products with a positive impact, co-creating with founders to ensure success. Their approach aims to de-risk innovation and increase the chances of success compared to traditional venture systems. They support founders through pre-seed and seed stages, validating concepts and providing ongoing support throughout the journey. SURFnCODE invests significant time in its startups, working closely with founders to validate ideas, reach market fit, and produce MVPs. They apply their strength in product guidance, drawing on the experience of successful and failed founders to identify what works and what doesn't. Their process is product-focused, saving time and money for founders by de-risking innovation. They help founders develop a go-to-market plan, track metrics, accelerate product development, and identify growth opportunities. Their team comprises founder-quality technology, product, and investment professionals from companies like Skype, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, holding over 100 patents. They aim to provide founders with the support and validation needed to succeed through a multidisciplinary approach. The firm emphasizes work-life harmony, incorporating surfing values like patience, resilience, embracing change, and community into their work culture.
Seed Capital
Seed Capital is a venture capital firm that focuses on backing exceptional Nordic-based founders from the seed stage through Series A and beyond, all the way to exit. They aim to be a proven partner throughout the entire journey. Their core strategy is to identify and support companies with high growth potential, demonstrated by their high conversion rate from seed to Series A. The firm emphasizes a close and supportive relationship with founders, acting as more than just investors by providing strategic guidance, fundraising support, legal assistance, and general mentorship. They invest across several key sectors, including Consumer, Deep tech, Enterprise, Fintech, and SaaS, demonstrating a broad interest within the technology landscape. They highlight their experience with companies like Vivino, Trustpilot, Templafy and Coinify (Lunar, Dixa), suggesting a preference for businesses with disruptive potential and clear paths to market leadership. Seed Capital differentiates itself through its deep involvement with portfolio companies. Their approach focuses on actively assisting companies in navigating the challenges of scaling and achieving sustainable growth. This involves providing a supportive ecosystem, leveraging their network, and offering operational expertise to their portfolio companies. This hands-on approach and the strong relationships built with founders are key to their investment strategy. They offer comprehensive support beyond financial capital, creating a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship.
Seed Starter
Seed Starter, backed by Slovenská sporiteľňa (Erste Group), focuses on providing funding, experience, and opportunities for collaboration to help Slovak startups grow faster. They distinguish themselves from traditional VC funds by actively developing the Slovak startup ecosystem and organizing their own Startup Bootcamp. They prioritize long-term growth over quick returns and consider themselves 'smart money' in a practical sense, offering hands-on support and access to the Erste Group network, extending beyond Slovakia. Seed Starter invests in startups with a strong vision, team, and plan, aiming to support ventures that will endure. They seek startups bringing innovative products and services to customers, including but not limited to the financial services sector.
Senovo
Senovo is an early-stage B2B software fund based in Europe, investing since 2013 in a new generation of European B2B software companies. They make a limited number of high-conviction investments per year in founders aiming to redefine categories. Their specialization allows them to have a real impact, providing deep understanding of B2B operations and support in areas like go-to-market strategy, US expansion, organizational scaling, and financial budgeting. They focus on solutions that enable the digitalization of medium and large enterprises, with a particular interest in AI-first products. Their primary areas of investment include cybersecurity, industrial tech, open source, infrastructure, SaaS, and other deep tech B2B software products. Senovo joins companies after they have achieved product-market fit and are generating initial revenue with their first customers. They recognize the crucial phase of building a scalable sales model, creating a performance-driven HR approach, and expanding internationally. They aim to help companies achieve these milestones in preparation for a larger subsequent growth round. Senovo seeks founders who build companies based on trust, innovation, and pushing boundaries. They understand the startup journey is not always easy, but strive for ambitious goals.
Senovo Capital Management GmbH
Senovo Capital Management is an early-stage B2B software fund based in Europe. They specialize in making a limited number of high-conviction investments each year, targeting founders who aim to redefine their respective categories. They invest in companies that have achieved product-market fit and are generating initial revenues. Senovo focuses on helping these companies build scalable sales models, create performance-driven HR approaches, and expand internationally, which are crucial for securing subsequent growth rounds. Their investment strategy centers around supporting the digitalization of medium and large enterprises. They primarily invest in AI-first products within cybersecurity, industrial tech, open source, infrastructure, SaaS, and other deep tech B2B software solutions. Senovo aims to be a European first-mover in identifying and supporting the next generation of B2B software companies. Senovo emphasizes specialization, leveraging their deep understanding of B2B operations to provide real impact. They offer support in areas such as go-to-market strategies, US expansion, organizational scaling, and financial planning. They believe that successful companies are built on trust, innovation, and a willingness to push boundaries, recognizing that the startup journey is rarely straightforward and advocating for ambitious goals.
Shilling VC
Shilling VC aims to partner with ambitious founders who possess the idea, team, and drive to build global businesses. They focus on getting in early and providing support through every stage of the company's journey, emphasizing a shared success model where the fund's profits are shared with portfolio founders. Their investment strategy revolves around backing companies in the Portuguese ecosystem and beyond, aiming to identify and support game-changers. A key component of their approach involves leveraging a network of founder LPs who contribute their experience and expertise to help portfolio companies grow. Shilling emphasizes a "founders fund" approach, demonstrating a commitment to aligning incentives with their portfolio companies. They appear to be stage agnostic within the early stage, showing a willingness to invest from pre-seed to Series A. They mention providing constant support and contact to portfolio companies, indicating a hands-on approach. They leverage a wide network to provide portfolio companies with support, mentorship, and connections. Their "Go fast. Go far. Grow with us." motto reflects their belief in rapid growth and long-term partnerships. The quotes from founder LPs highlight the value of entrepreneurial experience and dedication. They actively cultivate a community-driven approach, connecting portfolio founders with a wider network of partners, investors, and advisors. They appear to invest in companies with a global ambition. They invest in companies at various stages, offering between €100K and €1M. They aim for 60x multiple in follow-on investments, aiming to maximize returns. The website content suggests a collaborative and founder-friendly approach to venture capital.
Siena Secondary Fund
Siena Secondary Fund aims to derisk the VC asset class by focusing on secondary investments. They provide liquidity solutions for high-growth startups, benefiting founders, startup employees, and investors. For founders, Siena offers a way to motivate employees and provide flexible liquidity. Startup employees gain the ability to leverage their hard-earned equity seamlessly and transparently. Investors gain access to companies that were previously out of reach, balancing risk and reward through secondaries. Siena empowers early employees and founders by offering liquidity, ensuring individuals instrumental in the success of startups can access financial benefits. They aim to provide tailored solutions for investors, founders, and employees, acting as a partner to figure out flexible liquidity options without additional hassle. The fund views itself as challenging the status quo, offering solutions that connect investors to previously inaccessible companies. They emphasize a flexible, personal, reliable, and creative approach.
Sigma Software Labs
Sigma Software Labs is the corporate venture fund of Sigma Software Group, a top 100 IT Consulting Company. Their primary goal is to cultivate an ecosystem for startups by investing in promising ideas and leveraging the resources and network of their parent company, a world-class IT consultancy. They provide early-stage startups with capital, access to global clients and partners, technical expertise, and mentorship to help them transform their ideas into successful market-ready products. The Labs offer a range of support mechanisms designed to accelerate startup growth. These include scaling opportunities through Sigma Software's extensive network of over 200 B2B connections, the possibility of securing Sigma Software Labs as an investor, ongoing comprehensive support, and qualified technical mentorship from experienced developers within Sigma Software. They also facilitate fundraising opportunities, access to a network of VCs, participation in creative and tech-related initiatives, and secured space and infrastructure support. The overall strategy appears to be centered around leveraging Sigma Software's existing capabilities and network to de-risk early-stage investments and provide startups with a distinct competitive advantage. By offering access to established infrastructure, technical expertise, and business development resources, Sigma Software Labs aims to increase the likelihood of successful product development and market penetration for its portfolio companies. The fund aims to help startups overcome the challenges faced during their early stages, propelling them toward achieving unicorn status.
Smartworks Innovation
Smartworks Innovation is a corporate venture capital (CVC) firm that partners with startups to bring new solutions and technologies into the Wiener Stadtwerke Group (WSTW Group). The firm focuses on solutions with high innovation or climate protection potential that are technologically and economically scalable. This collaboration is intended to strengthen the innovative ability and competitiveness of the WSTW Group and create solutions for sustainable mobility and energy transition. Smartworks Innovation operates in cooperation with the innovation management of the Wiener Stadtwerke Group, which is a modern infrastructure service provider with approximately 17,000 employees. The WSTW Group encompasses various divisions including Energy, Energy Grids, Transport, Funeral Services and Cemeteries, and Car Parks. The firm's investments align with the strategic goals of the WSTW Group, particularly in areas related to energy transition, sustainable mobility, and the broader infrastructure ecosystem. By integrating startup solutions into its operations, the WSTW Group aims to enhance its services and adapt to future challenges in a dynamic and sustainable manner.
Sofia Angels Ventures
Sofia Angels Ventures (SAV) is a €13 million venture capital fund that co-invests alongside angels, family offices, and other private investors and funds. They target scalable technology startups at the pre-seed and seed stages. While their primary focus is on companies from Bulgaria, SEE (South Eastern Europe) & CEE (Central and Eastern Europe) countries, they also have a vision to operate around Europe and globally. SAV's management team comprises angel investors, entrepreneurs, and executives that transitioned into venture capital, bringing a blend of operational and investment experience. SAV's co-investment model allows them to leverage the expertise and due diligence of angel investors and other early-stage backers. This collaborative approach mitigates risk and provides access to a wider network of resources and potential follow-on investors. By focusing on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, SAV aims to capture opportunities at an early stage of growth and contribute to building successful and scalable businesses. They aim to add value beyond capital through their experience as angel investors, entrepreneurs, and executives. While the specific details of their value-add (platform, network, operational support) aren't detailed in the provided text, the background of the management team suggests a hands-on approach and a focus on helping portfolio companies navigate the challenges of early-stage growth. The fund is backed by the European Investment Fund (EIF), providing it with a level of credibility and access to a wider network of European investors and resources. This backing signals a commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the SEE and CEE regions.
Spotlight Ventures
Spotlight! Ventures is a venture builder and early-stage technology investment firm focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. They invest in courageous founders and teams with passion, ambition, a willingness to take risks, determination, and innovative ideas, aiming to give companies a stage and support their growth from early stages to success. The firm operates at the intersection of technology, ingenuity, and originality, concentrating on the digital lifestyle. They build successful, global companies by partnering with brave tech companies that will shape the future. They prioritize inspiring personalities with big ideas who are willing to face challenges. Spotlight! Ventures supports portfolio companies in strategic decisions and operational challenges. Their team has experience in business model development, sales, new work, marketing, and public relations. They offer access to a global ecosystem and network, connecting startups with relevant players from business, science, research, VCs, and influencers.
SuperCharger Ventures
SuperCharger Ventures positions itself as the leading ecosystem builder for EdTech startups, education institutions, and corporations globally. Their investment thesis centers around identifying and supporting early-stage EdTech companies with high growth potential. They focus on creating dynamic and impactful environments that foster innovation in education and the future of work. Their strategy includes providing direct funding, mentorship, partnerships, and access to government funding opportunities, particularly focusing on unlocking substantial government grants and soft loans for startups. This support is offered without taking equity in the initial stages, enabling startups to access non-dilutive funding. Furthermore, they aim to foster sustainable growth by building a global community dedicated to making education and work more accessible, effective, and equitable. Following initial success in Malta, SuperCharger Ventures is expanding its accelerator programs to Saudi Arabia and Rwanda, demonstrating a commitment to emerging markets. They actively support higher education institutions through the Digital Education Council (DEC), connecting them with top EdTech solutions to advance innovation across learning. The firm aims to establish leading accelerator programs across key regions, including the United States, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Africa. SuperCharger Ventures' mission is to empower founders to scale and drive transformative innovation. They recognize the unique challenges and opportunities in different regions and tailor their support accordingly. Their approach involves providing founders with the funding, mentorship, and networks they need to succeed, fostering a global community that is dedicated to making the future of education and work more accessible, effective, and equitable. They provide comprehensive support to startups without taking equity, enabling them to unlock government grants and soft loans.
Supercharge Capital
Supercharge Capital is a software-focused, modern private equity fund based in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and investing across Europe. The firm aims to create economic impact by enabling founders to accelerate the growth of technological companies. They are focused on building great, sustainable businesses, and are advocates of profitable businesses, providing funding when it makes sense. Their approach is centered around partnering with entrepreneurs, offering decades of experience in building internet companies, and adding value through their knowledge and operational expertise. They differentiate themselves from traditional private equity by prioritizing growth over cost-cutting, focusing on positive economic impact, and promoting environmental sustainability. They aim to accelerate the transition to CO2 neutrality or negativity in their portfolio companies. Their team is composed of seasoned entrepreneurs and serial investors, all of whom have founded and scaled successful tech companies. Supercharge Capital emphasizes aligned interests, transparency, and straightforward dealings. They value simplicity in business concepts, transaction terms, and legal documents. They provide a 'no bull****' attitude, communicating openly and honestly with founders. They position themselves as partners and helpers rather than bosses, prioritizing the founder's vision and offering support to add value. Before forming Supercharge Capital, the team co-founded and invested in a variety of successful businesses. Their investment strategy involves providing capital to SaaS and Marketplace businesses, enabling them to launch new products, evolve their corporate culture, or expand their operations to other countries. They leverage their experience and network to support portfolio companies at every stage of their journey.
Swanlaab Venture Factory
Swanlaab Venture Factory positions itself as more than just an investor, emphasizing partnership with founders to navigate the complexities of building high-growth companies. They focus on providing capital, strategic expertise, and hands-on support. The firm's investment philosophy centers on backing bold entrepreneurs and groundbreaking technology with a focus on collaboration. They recognize that fundraising is merely the starting point and prioritize execution, growth, and long-term success. Their manifesto revolves around partnering for impact and scaling for success. They look for companies challenging industries, disrupting markets, and scaling with purpose. Swanlaab emphasizes a co-building approach, challenging and pushing boundaries alongside the entrepreneurs they support. They aim to help founders turn potential into performance through insights, experience, strategic vision, scaling sales strategies, and refining go-to-market plans. Swanlaab aims to build resilient, sustainable companies generating impact and delivering strong returns. They leverage their roots in Spain and Israel to offer founders access to a global network of investors, partners, and clients. This global mindset is a key element of their value proposition to portfolio companies. The VC believes that vision, execution, and the right partners are critical for success.
TBD VC
TBD VC focuses on early-stage investing, implying a strategy of identifying and supporting companies with high growth potential from their initial stages. The lack of detailed information suggests a broad approach to early-stage opportunities, or a deliberate ambiguity to maintain flexibility in their investment decisions. The firm likely aims to provide capital and support to help early-stage companies scale and achieve their milestones.
Talis Capital
Talis Capital focuses on investing in founders who are building the future differently. They express a high-conviction investment approach, suggesting a deep level of due diligence and a willingness to back companies they strongly believe. Their strategy appears to be centered around identifying and supporting disruptive technologies and business models, aiming to partner with companies that have the potential for significant growth and impact. The firm invests across both Europe and the US, demonstrating a transatlantic approach to venture capital, and seeks founders who are able to change the way the world is structured.
Tangent Line
Tangent Line positions itself as a contact point for startups and investors, acting as a co-investor with private investors. Their strategy centers around providing capital and business partnerships to breakthrough industrial technology startups, with a long-term investment horizon. They aim to back startups with global ambitions and unique, defensible technologies, supporting them from the seed to expansion stage. The firm emphasizes a commitment to growing alongside their investments, building on foundations of clear, transparent rules, and stability, while partnering at a fast pace to enable freedom of action and new opportunities. Tangent Line aims to foster innovation by connecting industry leaders with breakthrough technologies and emerging companies, creating a platform where corporate needs are met by startups, and talented entrepreneurs are supported in their development. They emphasize building an innovation platform by connecting industry leaders with breakthrough technologies and emerging companies. This fosters an ecosystem where corporate needs match startup solutions, and talented entrepreneurs receive support for their growth. As a lead investor, they offer expert support for investments, while co-investors benefit from Tangent Line's experience and established venture capital presence. Tangent Line invests in companies that develop sound B2B businesses, particularly those that are hard technology-based, and aligned with their co-investors' interests. The team's experience in finance, investment banking, entrepreneurship, and management, combined with their own business ventures, allows them to better understand and support their portfolio companies' needs.
TecPier
TecPier is a specialized venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage B2B technology startups within the maritime, logistics, and supply chain sectors. Their investment thesis revolves around the belief that these industries are ripe for disruption through technology, offering significant opportunities for innovation and growth. They aim to identify and support companies developing solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and create new revenue streams in these traditionally underserved markets. TecPier looks for companies leveraging data-driven insights, automation, and connectivity to transform maritime operations, logistics processes, and global supply chain management. The fund seeks ventures that address specific pain points in these sectors and demonstrate the potential to scale rapidly.
Technofounders
Technofounders is a Startup Studio focused on investing in technology to build impactful ventures, specifically in the DeepTech ecosystem. They aim to multiply the impact of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs by funding and orienting technological innovation towards practical solutions that address major global challenges. Their strategy involves identifying disruptive technologies, primarily stemming from research institutions, and structuring investment vehicles to fund and develop innovative projects into successful industrial companies. They have a comprehensive team-based approach, ensuring startups have access to the right expertise at the right time, from pre-seed to exit, including Venture Partners for initial evaluation and interim CEO roles, Operating Partners for operational and strategic support, and Managing Partners for strategic guidance and board participation. Technofounders aims to drive positive impact through deeptech innovation across various sectors. Their investment approach is stage-specific. In the feasibility phase, Venture Partners assess technologies and commercialization paths. During the pre-seed phase, Venture Partners act as interim CEOs, building initial products and teams. Seed acceleration involves Operating Partners providing operational support and Support Services handling administrative tasks. Finally, in the growth phase, Managing Partners offer strategic guidance through board participation, focusing on strategic priorities, funding strategies, and exit planning. Technofounders emphasizes collaboration with academic institutions and industry partners to transform research projects into viable businesses. They actively engage with major research institutions in France, such as CEA and CNRS, to identify and commercialize innovative technologies. Their team structure is designed to provide comprehensive support throughout the startup lifecycle, from initial technology assessment to successful market entry and growth. They prioritize investments with the potential to address pressing societal challenges and create sustainable solutions.
Techshop
Techshop is a Venture Capital-focused asset management company investing in early-stage companies, primarily at the seed stage, in the B2B software space. They aim to actively support founders on both strategic and operational matters, encouraging OKR-driven management models and contributing to the portfolio. Their approach emphasizes a hands-on partnership, providing strategic know-how and leveraging their experience, network, and mindset to assist startups in all phases of product development, from design to go-to-market and internationalization. Techshop seeks to involve other investors in subsequent fundraising rounds. The firm believes that early-stage investing in Italy presents a unique opportunity to compete in the global market. They prioritize companies that see Italy as the starting point for global expansion. Techshop leverages their expertise in both business and investing to offer a competitive advantage to talented and ambitious founders. They emphasize the importance of technological progress as the primary driver of growth, productivity, and societal well-being. Techshop believes that the engine of global technological innovation is no longer restricted to specific geographical areas but can be set in motion anywhere, including Italy. They recognize Italy's human capital, driven by curiosity and adaptability, as a significant asset. They believe in ambition, persistence, resilience, and courage as essential values for founders. They also prioritize environmental responsibility and strive to minimize any potential negative impact from the companies they engage with. Their investment strategy is agnostic in terms of industry and vertical within the B2B software space. They invest in both defendable technology products and digital disruptors. Techshop aims to provide patient and active capital to early-stage ventures, fostering long-term growth and success.
Techstart Ventures
Techstart Ventures focuses on investing in companies with "unique insights, global ambition, obsessive iteration." They aim to provide first cheques up to £750k, plus follow-on capacity, primarily at the inception to pre-seed stage. They are active in leading, co-leading, and selectively co-investing in rounds. The firm concentrates its investments in Scotland & Northern Ireland, suggesting a geographically focused strategy to support local entrepreneurial ecosystems. Their investment approach seems to be highly selective, looking for companies with the potential to scale globally while deeply rooted in iterative development and possessing unique insights. Techstart Ventures' portfolio exhibits a range of companies spanning various sectors, reflecting an opportunistic approach to early-stage investing within their geographic and stage focus. The fund actively participates in follow-on rounds, indicating a commitment to supporting its portfolio companies as they grow and scale. Recent follow-on rounds in companies like Cloudsmith, Neurolabs, and Valla indicate a focus on supporting companies through multiple stages of growth and leveraging their network to bring in later-stage investors. Their investment philosophy highlights the importance of disruptive thinking and a rapid development cycle.
Telos Impact
Telos Impact positions itself as a leading impact manager and advisor in Europe, focusing on Impact Investing and Venture Philanthropy. They aim to maximize their clients' positive impact on society by supporting entrepreneurs, families, companies, foundations, and public institutions. Their strategy involves financing solutions with the potential for systemic impact, adopting a long-term vision, and leveraging their network of philanthropists, investors, companies, non-profit organizations, and public actors. Telos Impact targets deploying €1 billion by 2030. They contribute to addressing environmental and social challenges by identifying, structuring, and scaling solutions, bringing these to the attention of investors, philanthropists, and public authorities. The firm has expertise across various sectors including environment, education, employment, precarity, health, mental health, culture, democracy, development cooperation, and emergency.
Tengelmann Ventures
Based on the limited information available, Tengelmann Ventures appears to focus on investing in companies with disruptive potential and a strong vision. They emphasize a partnership-based approach, highlighting trust, open communication, and providing resources beyond just financial capital. The firm seems to value founders who are ambitious and driven to make a real difference, focusing on long-term value creation. They see challenges as opportunities for growth and emphasize learning together as crucial to success. The testimonials suggest a commitment to supporting their portfolio companies through turbulent times and offering valuable advice.