AFI Ventures
AFI Ventures is an impact-focused venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies with a dual ambition: purpose and profits. They operate as a "Day-One Impact Launchpad" for European entrepreneurs, bridging the gap between economic growth and positive impact. AFI combines an equity-free accelerator program (AFI Factory) with a pre-seed and seed fund (AFI Ventures), offering a comprehensive support system for startups. AFI Ventures believes that innovation is a powerful tool for positive evolution and is committed to supporting companies that are building sustainable business models with a positive impact on society and the environment. They aim to accelerate the emergence of tomorrow's leaders and groom the next generation of success stories in the impact sector. The firm is powered by La Ruche, Ventech, and Abeille Assurances, leveraging their expertise and resources to provide a strong foundation for their portfolio companies. They seek out startups that address critical challenges in areas like climate change, social inclusion, and sustainable development, driving both financial returns and measurable social and environmental outcomes.
Alliance For Impact (AFI)
Alliance for Impact (AFI) is a European Day-One Impact Launchpad focused on bridging the gap between purpose and profits. They aim to fast-track the emergence of tomorrow's leaders and support the next generation of impact-driven entrepreneurs. AFI combines equity-free acceleration through AFI Factory with first-ticket seed funding through AFI Ventures. AFI Factory is a 6-12 month acceleration program for growth-stage impact startups seeking funding. AFI Ventures is a pre-seed & seed impact fund investing in 1 to 2 companies per month. AFI believes innovation is a tool for positive evolution, building a sustainable balance between economic growth and positive impact. They consider innovation as a source of opportunity for creating new, sustainable, and impactful business models that benefit society and the environment. The firm is powered by La Ruche, Ventech, and Abeille Assurances, indicating a strong network of partners and resources available to the startups they support. AFI focuses on supporting companies within specific sectors, aiming to create a positive societal and environmental impact alongside financial returns. The firm's manifesto emphasizes the belief in innovation as a driver for sustainable and impactful business models.
Clint Capital
Clint Capital is an AMF-approved portfolio management company founded by managers with over 20 years of combined experience in private equity. They focus on thematic and innovative investment funds, aiming to provide investors and distributors with exposure to strategic companies and sectors of the coming decades. Their approach involves designing investment strategies that are rigorously researched, developed, and tested. They carefully select target companies and funds that align with market needs and anticipate the future expectations of their clients and partners. Clint Capital primarily targets business leaders, professionals (lawyers, accountants, doctors, etc.), and finance and real estate professionals.
Hook
Hook is a pre-seed program designed to support founders at the very beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. They invest €50,000 in 10 startups twice a year through a program focused on community, mentorship, and investor exposure. The "Hook Batch" program centers around weekly gatherings with successful entrepreneurs, access to on-demand mentoring, and a Demo Day for presenting to investors and journalists. The firm aims to provide startups with the crucial resources and network needed to navigate the initial challenges of building a company.
Id4 Ventures
Id4 Ventures is a founder-led early-stage investment firm that exclusively backs ambitious Deep Tech startups at the pre-seed and seed stages. Their mission is to support breakthrough technologies from day zero, helping founders build global companies. They focus on partnering with founders who are transforming industries rather than simply optimizing them. Beyond providing early capital, Id4 Ventures leverages its network and mobilizes multi-million dollar SPVs from their LPs to bridge funding gaps and scale innovations through to exit. This suggests a commitment to long-term support beyond the initial investment. Their focus appears to be on technologies with the potential for significant, lasting impact and a willingness to take on the higher risks associated with Deep Tech. The firm's emphasis on Deep Tech and providing support through SPVs highlights its approach of providing comprehensive resources, going beyond typical venture capital. Their approach suggests a focus on industries ripe for disruption and transformative technologies that require a long-term investment outlook.
Leryon Holdings
Leryon Holdings operates as an investment vehicle with a focus on three core pillars: Real Estate, Financial Products, and Venture Capital. Their overarching investment strategy is guided by three business philosophies: minimize risk, maximize returns, and enhance societal well-being. The firm actively manages investments in stocks and bonds and also functions as a boutique venture capital firm, focusing on identifying and providing initial seed funding to high-potential startups, particularly in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Aerospace (both hardware and software). Leryon Holdings contributes to local economies by offering quality houses to workers and their families in the real estate sector. In real estate, Leryon's strategy involves identifying properties, analyzing financial metrics, revitalizing properties, and renting them out with a clear objective of return maximization, while simultaneously aiming to create a quality lifestyle for its clients. The firm operates in Romania, France, and Spain, with plans for further expansion into other regions and countries. Leryon Holdings emphasizes alternative investments and seeks to make smart investments across various sectors and geographies, aligning with its philosophies of risk minimization, return maximization, and enhancement of societal well-being. Leryon Holdings employs 6 partners and 28 employees, with 28 investments and 13 real estate units under management.
Neo Founders
Neo Founders is an exclusive network of serial entrepreneurs and early-stage investors focused on backing ambitious founders and helping them build market-leading companies. They operate as a club deal, mobilizing expert capital and networks. The firm invests in a highly selective portfolio of 15+ promising startups each year, with a focus on driving growth through go-to-market strategies, HR, CRM, and revenue generation support. Their objective is to prepare founders for subsequent fundraising rounds, attracting Tier-1 investors and achieving successful scale globally. Neo Founders provide access to non-dilutive financing and lead exclusive club deals. The firm supports future fundraising rounds from strategy to execution, provides board seat opportunities to actively accelerate the business and offer high-value, qualified business introductions to drive strategic partnerships and revenue. The firm aids talent acquisition, including direct access to top candidates through school partnerships, alumni network, and targeted talent sourcing. Giving back is also a core value, with 10% of the added-values generated will be donated to a foundation. The firm aims to turn ambition into results by providing funding, growth strategies and talent. Neo Founders focuses on building lasting relationships and supporting founders throughout their journey.
OSS Ventures
OSS Ventures focuses on "industrializing discovery" by building and investing in startups solving large-scale problems within the industrial sector. They act as a co-founder in the earliest stages, providing scientific rigor to the chaotic initial phase of company building. Their approach centers around deep partnerships with leading industry operators and exceptional founders, creating a win-win-win scenario where industry partners access innovative solutions, founders receive crucial support, and society benefits from increased talent allocation to vital areas. OSS aims to bring new weapons, sharper tactics, and the grit to see it through for their industry partners.
SFINE - Société de Financement de l Innovation Numérique en Essonne
SFINE - Société de Financement de l Innovation Numérique en Essonne, focuses on funding the economy of the future by investing in innovative companies in France. Their strategy involves supporting startups through various stages, from incubation and early-stage financing to growth capital. Recognizing the limitations of traditional bank financing for startups, SFINE aims to provide tailored financial solutions that address the specific needs of early-stage companies, particularly those in the digital and technology sectors. They emphasize the importance of securing early-stage funding through sources like love money, public funding, and competitions before pursuing larger venture capital investments. SFINE distinguishes between the financing needs at different stages of a startup's lifecycle. They recognize the critical role of "love money" (friends, family, and fools) during the incubation phase (0-300K€), along with public aid and innovation-related competitions. In the seed phase (50-500K€), they seek business angels, public financing, seed funds, and crowdfunding options. The firm then looks at providing venture capital (500-2000K€) during the startup's launch and growth stages (+2000K€). SFINE acknowledges the increasing role of banks in financing innovation and adaptation of banking products suitable for startups. The firm's success is attributed to its team of entrepreneurs who guide innovative companies and the performance of its investors. SFINE's approach involves active participation during the incubation and seed stages, highlighting their commitment to providing resources for startups to overcome early challenges. While the emphasis is on digital and technological sectors, they remain open to exploring other sectors, contingent on a significant level of commercial maturity. SFINE aims to be a financing partner through each startup growth stage.
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.
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.
Otium Capital
Otium Capital is a private investment holding company founded in 2009 by Pierre-Édouard Stérin. The firm focuses on supporting entrepreneurs and their projects to unlock their potential for value creation, emphasizing people, boldness, and innovation. Otium acts as a Private Equity investor, active across all stages of company development, from seed to growth capital, up to LBO transactions on mature companies. They take both majority and minority stakes without constraints on holding periods. Otium's mission is to create and invest alongside bold entrepreneurs to develop tomorrow’s leaders. They believe entrepreneurs are the driving force behind progress and invest alongside them for the long term. They aim to select projects that provide attractive returns, contribute to collective well-being, encourage innovation, and address social, economic, and environmental issues. In addition to traditional private equity investments, Otium operates Otium Studio, an incubator that creates and launches startups in partnership with ambitious entrepreneurs. This dual approach allows Otium to both identify and cultivate innovative businesses from the ground up. Otium favors close and personalized collaboration with each entrepreneur. The firm values freedom to innovate within a supportive framework to allow each project to grow under the best conditions. Otium has a 'BBB' Investment Grade by rating agency EthiFinance Ratings, with a 'Stable' Outlook.