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.
SSE Ventures
Based on the website content, SSE Ventures appears to operate under the umbrella of the SSE Business Lab, which is associated with the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE). The primary focus seems to be on supporting early-stage founders in building their companies. The firm emphasizes assisting founders in creating what they describe as their "life's work," suggesting a long-term investment perspective and a commitment beyond simply providing capital. While the exact investment thesis is not explicitly stated, the imagery and association with SSE Business Lab indicate a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and companies with high growth potential. The firm is associated with SSE Business Lab, which is ranked in the Top 10 in Europe by the Financial Times.
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.
Sampo Accelerator
Sampo Accelerator supports early-stage startups from Finland, the Baltics, CEE, and the Balkans by providing equity-free, intensive programs focused on team development, customer acquisition, and revenue growth. Unlike traditional accelerators, it prioritizes solo founders, international teams, and bootstrapped businesses, offering founder-led coaching and peer networks without equity dilution or investor pressure.
Sector 7
Sector 7 Venture Studio focuses on building and launching new companies. The studio model suggests they are actively involved in the ideation, development, and early-stage growth of their portfolio companies, rather than simply investing in existing startups. They seem to concentrate on creating businesses that have the potential to scale rapidly and disrupt existing markets. The website showcases ventures across various sectors, implying a broad approach to identifying and capitalizing on promising opportunities. They appear to foster ventures with strong branding and design, focusing on sectors like vegan media, lifestyle products, D2C gourmet food, education, fitness, productivity SaaS, health and even clinical grade cosmetics. Their approach includes launching new physical products.
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
Backs ambitious founders aiming for global expansion, emphasizing long-term partnership and profit-sharing with portfolio founders. Focuses on high-growth, mission-driven startups with scalable potential.
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 a corporate venture fund investing in early-stage startups, providing access to global clients, technical expertise, mentorship, and support to help turn ideas into market-conquering products. It leverages the network and resources of Sigma Software Group, a top IT consulting company, to create an ecosystem for startup growth.
Slingshot Ventures
Invests in entrepreneurs-driven ventures in digital consumer life, emphasizing exponential growth through alignment of founder and investor skill sets. Focuses on vegan, cruelty-free, and clean beauty brands, particularly those leveraging K-Beauty expertise.
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 invests in courageous founders and teams with innovative ideas, supporting them from ideation to global growth. The firm combines capital and expertise to build successful, diverse, and impactful tech brands, leveraging a global network for operational and strategic guidance.
SuperCharger Ventures
SuperCharger Ventures focuses on accelerating EdTech startups globally, bridging opportunity gaps between international startups and local stakeholders, and building digital transformation foundations for economic growth. They operate one of the world's leading EdTech accelerators and provide tailored innovation programs for governments and corporations.
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.