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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LUMO Labs
LUMO Labs focuses on creating opportunities for impact-driven ventures in emerging technologies. They invest in startups using digital deep tech, including AI, Data, Blockchain, IoT, AR/VR, and Digital Security, to solve social and environmental challenges. Their investment targets align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Health & Wellbeing, Quality Education, Sustainable City, and Climate Action. LUMO Labs aims to improve the quality of life and wellbeing while addressing strains on healthcare, social welfare, and the planet. The firm's investment strategy is centered around supporting founders through their bespoke LUMO Program, leveraging experience as both entrepreneurs and investors. They prioritize building meaningful relationships within relevant ecosystems, staying current in their investment areas, and leveraging their network, which they consider a strategic differentiator. LUMO Labs acts as active players and contributors to the relevant ecosystems. The firm builds meaningful relationships and ensures that they are up to date and top of mind in its investment areas. The network and how well it uses it is a strategic and distinctive differentiator for LUMO Labs. As entrepreneurs turned investors, LUMO Labs creates opportunities for people and emerging technologies by connecting impact-driven groundbreaking start-ups to funds, expertise, network and each other.