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
Invests in early-stage cleantech startups where the core innovation is technology-driven (e.g., fusion, batteries, carbon capture, circular materials) rather than software or business models. Focuses on companies addressing climate challenges with scalable, physics-backed solutions, often before traditional VC involvement. Offers technical due diligence and introductions to follow-on investors.
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
Invests up to €6M in founders from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Europe, focusing on tech and IP-driven companies at early stages, often before the product or market validation is obvious. Emphasizes intensity, focus, and radical transparency over traditional polished CVs.
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 pre/seed fund focused on bridging East and West by investing in founders from the CIS, Baltics, and CEE who are building global software platforms. The fund emphasizes hands-on founder coaching, leveraging the partners' experience in scaling SaaS and AI/ML projects across regions and cultures. Investments range from $150k to $1.65m, with a preference for lead investor roles in early-stage rounds.
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 VC partners with entrepreneurs committed to improving society through technology. They invest in visionary founders with unique IP, leveraging their operator experience to provide strategic guidance alongside funding. Focused on tech-driven solutions that drive economic growth and societal progress.
Great Stuff Ventures
Invests in daring, diverse entrepreneurs globally, prioritizing genuine relationships and operational support. Focuses on teams with domain expertise building scalable tech solutions in fast-changing industries.
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
Mindshift Ventures invests in visionary founders building technology-driven solutions to impactful problems, leveraging a team with 80+ years of combined investment experience.
Newion
NEWION invests with a deep focus on understanding how work is done, identifying friction points, and studying patterns across companies and cycles to distinguish durable drivers from temporary effects. They prioritize collaboration with founders, making decisions based on clarity and explicit communication when uncertainty exists.
Newion Partners B.V.
Newion invests by deeply understanding operational realities, studying patterns across companies and cycles, and prioritizing clarity and collaboration with founders. They avoid rigid narratives, focusing instead on durable drivers of success and human-centric investment approaches.
No Such Ventures
Backing European software-first founders to scale startups into global successes by unifying fragmented markets, strengthening competitiveness through digitization, and defending Europe’s sovereignty.
PhotonVentures
PhotonVentures invests in photonics, a trillion-dollar infrastructure transition addressing limitations of electronics (e.g., power, bandwidth, latency) for AI, data, and energy. Focuses on wafer-scale photonics to unlock capabilities like terabit networks, quantum sensing, and chip-scale solid-state sensing across sectors like AI, quantum tech, and healthcare.
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.