VAERING
VAERING is a family-owned investment company based in Germany that focuses on supporting independent entrepreneurs with capital, expertise, and a long-term perspective. Founded in 2021 by the family behind KAEFER, a 100+ year old industrial services company, VAERING seeks to invest in solutions for decarbonization across various sectors including industry, buildings, and transportation, as well as promoting energy efficiency and circular economy practices. Their investment philosophy prioritizes a cultural fit and alignment of values over short-term financial gains, aiming for long-term development of their portfolio companies and partnerships built on mutual respect. VAERING's approach involves active engagement and support for their portfolio companies, leveraging the family's entrepreneurial background and industrial expertise. They provide not only financial resources but also strategic guidance, operational support, and access to their network. Key considerations when evaluating potential investments include the compatibility of the people and ideas with their values and goals, the potential for the investment to promote sustainability, and the company's commitment to long-term thinking and responsibility. They seek to partner with companies that are addressing significant challenges related to sustainability and that demonstrate a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions or minimizing plastic waste. They are particularly interested in industrial products and services that can be economically and ecologically aligned to be successful in the market. The team emphasizes transparency, digitization, new forms of collaboration, and improved employee health as important factors for success in today's business environment. VAERING differentiates itself from traditional investment firms by its focus on long-term value creation, its deep understanding of industrial businesses, and its commitment to sustainability. They are willing to take a patient approach to investing, prioritizing the long-term growth and impact of their portfolio companies over short-term returns. Their origins as a family-owned business also influence their investment approach, prioritizing trust, partnership, and a collaborative approach to working with entrepreneurs.
VTI Capital
VTI Capital focuses on helping entrepreneurs in the early development stages of their companies to find and execute the right business model, and then scale and grow their businesses. They provide early stage investment to exceptional entrepreneurs and help them build sustainable and scalable businesses. While their investments are currently concentrated in the tech industry in Southeast Europe, they are sector and geography agnostic and will consider opportunities to work with exceptional entrepreneurs globally. They leverage their experience and network to connect companies with the right talent and people at the right time, offering tailored advice and support to portfolio companies. VTI Capital positions itself as a founder-friendly investor, offering mentorship, strategic advice, operational support, introductions to customers, and assistance with fundraising.
Velvet Ventures
Velvet Ventures focuses on building innovative B2B events and platforms. They aim to connect business leaders and digital innovators through various event formats. Since 2010, they have been launching new events regularly, targeting decision-makers from top companies across diverse industries. Their portfolio includes leading B2B trade shows and conferences like d3con and Spielmacher, highlighting their expertise in creating valuable networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities. Their business model is event creation and operation, not direct venture investing.
Venista Ventures
Venista Ventures is a seed capital fund that invests in ambitious founders with visionary ideas addressing current and future challenges. They aim to be among the first investors in the startups they support, with a broad investment approach across various verticals. The firm positions itself as more than a traditional VC, leveraging the founders' experience in scaling companies, including both successes and failures. This experience allows them to serve as engaged sparring partners, particularly in online marketing, B2B sales, and recruiting. Furthermore, the Venista Ventures group includes two fully-owned and operating agencies, providing additional resources and expertise to portfolio companies. They are looking for tech-driven enterprise and consumer internet startups.
Venture Friends
Venture Friends invests in ambitious founders at the earliest stages (€500k–€3m) when conviction and the right partner matter most. They provide hands-on support, operational expertise, and founder-first mentorship, acting as an extension of the founder’s team to navigate uncertainty and scale category-defining companies across Europe and MENA.
Venturerock
Venturerock is a venture building and venture investment platform focused on advancing technology, science, and innovation to co-create and grow next-generation global tech companies. They operate a multi-tiered venture capital platform designed to democratize access to equity-based capital for ventures while enhancing transparency and liquidity for investors. Their approach includes a venture building studio combined with a structured 72-step development program, aiming for a high success rate in company creation. Venturerock also emphasizes the importance of a strong network, bringing together founders, corporate partners, industry professionals, and media to create a network effect that drives ventures forward. They are building an entrepreneurial residence to integrate various venture building needs into a single environment.
Vershina Capital
Vershina Capital is an international venture organization that invests in innovative business models disrupting traditional industries. They provide expertise and financing for the rapid development of early-stage technology companies in growing markets. Their investment strategy focuses on Late Seed/Round A startups with a motivated founding team, proven MVP, and good unit economics, with potential for scaling in European and North American markets. The firm offers support to portfolio companies by attracting industry experts and advisors, assisting with fundraising, and providing operational knowledge to drive dynamic business growth. They aim for a 3-20x return on investments over a 2-5 year horizon, offering investors access to a private club with a pipeline of innovative projects and beneficial deal terms.
Vespucci Partners
Vespucci Partners aims to find and support Central European startup teams with disruptive products capable of achieving global market success. They believe the region can produce unicorns and want to be the investors that help startups reach that stage. They provide more than just financial support; they offer "smart capital" with portfolio management experts, guidance, and contacts for international expansion. Vespucci Partners seeks strong and agile teams with a vision and the capability to execute it. They look for proprietary technology that provides a competitive advantage and startups with international growth potential, particularly those with plans to expand into the US or high-growth Asian markets. Their investments are directed towards products or services that solve a real need. They also aim to provide information about startups and the world of investments by making the work and results of their portfolio companies transparent, sharing international experiences, and offering solutions to those starting their journey or already part of the ecosystem. The Vespucci Partners Fund is a Smart Specialization Venture Capital Program (GINOP 8.1.3 / B-17) co-financed by private market investors. Investment must be focused on companies, headquarters, and branch offices based in the Hungarian convergence region (outside Central Hungary), and the funds must be spent on costs occurring in Hungary.
Viola Credit
Viola Credit is a global alternative credit asset manager focused on supporting the growth of the innovation economy. They provide flexible, tailored credit solutions to tech-driven companies. Their offerings include Growth Lending, designed to finance operational growth with minimal dilution, and Asset-Backed Lending for FinTech and PropTech lenders to fund origination activity from early stages. Viola Credit targets sponsored-backed companies needing capital to scale revenue and operations, especially those wishing to avoid excessive equity dilution. They see a maturing market for growth lending in Europe driven by changes in capital markets, regulation, and venture capital trends. They provide debt financing solutions to companies at all stages of development. Viola Credit views growth lending as a non-dilutive capital option that enables companies to focus on growth without constantly raising equity. They offer flexible structures beyond standard term loans, including revolving working capital facilities, customer acquisition cost (CaC) financing lines, and acquisition/M&A financing lines. For equity investors, growth lending can improve capital efficiency by helping companies scale without overcapitalizing. The firm's investment strategy is predicated on the belief that growth lending adoption in Europe is accelerating. With offices in London, Tel Aviv, and New York, they operate across the U.S., U.K., Western Europe, the Nordics, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand. Their strategies focus on both growth stage and asset-backed lending.
Volvo Group Venture Capital
Volvo Group Venture Capital invests in companies transforming the transport and infrastructure industries. Their investment strategy focuses on identifying and supporting startups that align with Volvo Group's vision for a sustainable, safe, and productive future. They aim to drive prosperity through transport and infrastructure solutions by backing companies with innovative technologies and business models that can create value for customers, society, and the planet. The firm's approach involves partnering with startups to accelerate innovation and market adoption, while also leveraging Volvo Group's expertise and resources to help portfolio companies scale and succeed. The firm's investment decisions are guided by Volvo Group's core values: customer success, trust, passion, change, and performance. These values influence the firm's selection of portfolio companies and the way they work with them. Volvo Group Venture Capital seeks companies with a strong business instinct, the skills and knowledge to execute, and a commitment to achieving ambitious goals. They are particularly interested in startups that demonstrate a deep understanding of customer needs, a willingness to embrace change, and a drive to deliver exceptional performance. Volvo Group Venture Capital's investment strategy reflects Volvo Group's broader commitment to sustainability. The firm actively seeks out companies that are developing solutions to reduce emissions, improve safety, and enhance productivity in the transport and infrastructure sectors. They invest in companies that are aligned with Volvo Group's vision of a fossil-free future and a world with zero accidents involving their products. By supporting these companies, Volvo Group Venture Capital aims to contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for all. The investment focus aligns with the Volvo Group's mission of driving prosperity through transport and infrastructure solutions. The venture capital arm actively seeks startups and companies that develop new technologies and solutions related to the future of transport and infrastructure.
Vorsprung Partners
Vorsprung Partners provides entrepreneurial capital to hidden champion companies in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). They focus on the German Mittelstand, bridging the gap between entrepreneurial vision and family capital. Their strategy involves a buy-hold-develop model with patient capital from experienced investors and family equity, providing stability and a long-term perspective. Vorsprung actively develops its portfolio companies through strategic initiatives and hands-on operational support, with an ESG-focused value creation approach. The firm combines family and institutional capital with the discipline of private equity, aiming to build enduring success for all stakeholders. They provide expertise that drives sustainable growth while safeguarding businesses’ principles and independence. They work hand in hand with founder and owner families, offering flexible rollover options and long-term collaboration that preserve their entrepreneurial heritage. Vorsprung connects them to a wider network of like-minded business families, ensuring continuity, shared values, and sustainable growth for the future. Vorsprung invests with a long-term mindset, ensuring alignment of interests with business owners. Their approach creates trusted partnerships where continuity, legacy, and sustainable growth are safeguarded for the next generation. From day one post-acquisition, they strengthen management teams, professionalize structures, and unlock both organic and inorganic growth opportunities. Their hands-on approach to governance, reporting, and strategy ensures companies scale sustainably while maintaining their entrepreneurial spirit. They aim to transform companies with limited or no ESG footprint into sustainability and impact leaders, integrating environmental, social, and governance standards into strategy and operations. By preserving entrepreneurial DNA while providing strategic support, they help companies thrive well beyond the transition.
WIT Angels Club
WIT Angels Club is an all-female angel investment club dedicated to addressing the gender diversity gap in innovation. They aim to unlock the full potential of women angel investors, guiding them in making intelligent and purpose-driven investments in technology they passionately believe. The club accompanies them on every step of the investment journey, transforming vision into action and passion into impact. They only source Tech with Purpose ideas that tackle essential problems for our planet and people. They are committed investors with a unique condition of being part of the Club: to be actively engaged and invest regularly. The Club invests in and supports startups with women in the founding teams, believing that gender-diverse teams are providing outstanding outcomes. They focus on technologies that address social challenges, enabling human beings to live better while protecting and securing the planet. WIT Angels aims to direct capital towards technology that has a real positive impact on lives and the Planet. They do not wish to finance the creation of new needs or gadgets. The club actively creates post-investment value for their portfolio companies, offering access to a growing international community of 70+ active women angel investors, with members who are C-level executives, board members, entrepreneurs and managers in their companies. The Club offers startups access to a San Francisco Bay Area (US) network of investors thanks to the Club’s roots in Silicon Valley.
WakeUp Capital
WakeUp Capital invests in visionary entrepreneurs building B2B software and hardware solutions that drive climate resilience and social equity, combining profit with purpose to create systemic change.
Warsaw Equity Group
Warsaw Equity Group (WEG) is a growth equity firm focused on investing in market-leading, innovative B2B tech companies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). They target growth-stage companies that are driving automation, efficiency, and sustainability. As an evergreen fund, WEG aligns its interests with portfolio companies, prioritizing long-term, sustainable growth and value creation over rapid expansion driven by raising bigger funds. The firm's investment approach emphasizes careful project selection and strategic growth planning, working closely with portfolio company founders and teams to rapidly scale and increase market value. WEG also aims to help companies create value in key areas such as business, human capital, and community. WEG's value proposition is built on aligned interests, sustainable growth, and dedicated commitment. As an evergreen fund, they succeed when their portfolio companies succeed, focusing on creating real value through successful exits. They prioritize steady and sustainable growth over risky, rapid expansion, creating lasting impact. WEG invests in a select few companies, providing them with full attention and hands-on support. Their team acts as entrepreneurs and partners with portfolio companies to achieve ambitious projects and goals. Their effectiveness stems from careful project selection and precise identification of a strategic growth path, which they continuously follow with their team and the founders of the portfolio companies. The firm's investment criteria can be found on the strategy page (https://warsawequity.com/strategy/). WEG also has an investment team that holds supervisory roles across portfolio companies, and brings an analytical approach to its role.
Wenvest Capital
Wenvest Capital is a Munich-based early-stage venture capital firm specializing in B2B software companies across the DACH region. They aim to back ambitious founders from day zero to meaningful scale, providing patient and pragmatic capital. Wenvest Capital focuses on providing long-term capital with entrepreneurial empathy, with a broader view of what success looks like for founders. They invest early and stay late. They focus on B2B software and have an initial check size of EUR 250k - 1M.
Wisenext
Wisenext invests in young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas that drive societal impact. They focus on local sustainable digital businesses with creative, scalable, and technology-driven projects, providing capital, mentorship, and networking support.
X-Ventures
X-Ventures is a leading Hungarian venture fund management company that operates through X-Ventures Alpha Zrt. and manages three funds: Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Their investment strategy is not confined to specific sectors, providing flexibility to capitalize on diverse opportunities. While they actively target the IT and biotechnology sectors, characteristic of venture capital investments, they also seek ventures in more traditional sectors such as healthcare, logistics, electronics, and machinery. This broad sector focus enables them to diversify their portfolio and capture growth potential across various industries. Beyond financial investment, X-Ventures aims to constructively support its portfolio companies, helping them achieve their full business potential. They leverage the professional experience of their team and their extensive network of contacts to benefit the companies they invest. This value-added approach suggests a hands-on investment style, where X-Ventures plays an active role in the growth and development of its portfolio companies. The team consists of experienced individuals with backgrounds in law, finance, medicine, and investment banking. This multidisciplinary expertise allows X-Ventures to effectively evaluate and support companies across a wide range of industries. The firm’s activity in the JEREMIE Programme further illustrates their commitment to supporting the Hungarian SME ecosystem. Overall, X-Ventures appears to be a generalist investor with a focus on adding value beyond capital.
Yara Growth Ventures
Yara Growth Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Yara International ASA, a leading crop nutrition and agriculture company. Their mission is to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. Yara Growth Ventures invests in startups and venture capital funds that are at the intersection of science and technology within the food and agriculture industry. They seek to make financially sound investments in teams that are making a positive impact in agriculture and clean hydrogen. Yara Growth Ventures invests in startups and venture firms. Their startup investments are a way to work directly with entrepreneurs, while their fund investments allow them to scale their reach into local startup ecosystems by partnering with talented venture capitalists who have a robust network in the areas of interest. They look for teams making a 'dent' in agriculture. The team promises to be quick, clear, helpful, and trustworthy, leveraging their agri-food perspective, startup experience, and investment experience. They aim to invest patient capital.
YouNick Mint
Based on the limited information available on the landing page, it is difficult to discern a comprehensive investment thesis and strategy. However, the website states "We invest in companies," suggesting a broad investment mandate. Additional research would be needed to establish a more detailed understanding of their investment approach.
Zest Investments
Zest Group, formed by the merger of Digital Magics and LVenture Group, positions itself as the market leader in Italy for early-stage investments, startup acceleration, scale-up support, and Open Innovation Programs. They aim to be a key player in the European innovation ecosystem. Their investment strategy revolves around identifying and nurturing ambitious founders with disruptive ideas, providing them with capital, expertise, and a robust network. They aim to transform startups into successful businesses and deliver innovation to both established corporations and the broader market. Zest's approach involves a 360-degree perspective, focusing on the entire lifecycle of a startup. They go beyond mere capital infusion, offering a wide range of high-tech and entrepreneurial value services. This includes strategic mentorship, access to resources, and integration into their unique ecosystem of investors, founders, and corporates. This holistic support system helps startups navigate challenges and accelerate their growth. Furthermore, Zest actively drives technological transformation and innovation for businesses and institutions through dedicated programs. They act as a strategic partner for enabling Italian companies and institutions to transition to the 5.0 era via Open Innovation and Corporate Venturing projects. By fostering synergies between startups and established corporations, they aim to translate innovative ideas into actionable business models and contribute to the modernization of various industries. Their investment strategy is industry-agnostic, focusing on cutting-edge technologies that are reshaping markets and society. They are guided by industry-specific expertise and committed to harnessing technology to improve society and lives. This specialized team identifies global trends propelling innovation and change, demonstrating deep knowledge in the sectors they operate within.
daFUND
daFUND invests in amazing early-stage B2B start-ups propelled by software, primarily across Europe, with potential for global investments in exceptional cases. The firm is industry agnostic but has a strong focus on B2B companies solving challenges with software. daFUND aims to provide not only capital, but also tangible and useful advice, leveraging the extensive entrepreneurial and operational experience of its partners and LPs. They have experience supporting companies from founding to successful exit and help them to develop, grow and scale up their companies. Their investment strategy is tailored to early-stage ventures, providing initial investments ranging from a few 10k EUR to 100k EUR, with potential for follow-on investments up to a couple 100k EUR, co-investing with their LPs. daFUND is operated by experienced entrepreneurs, executives, and investors, backed by Business Angels of Slovenia and a network of experienced founders and entrepreneurs from across Europe (28 LPs). daFUND is particularly interested in companies that are based in Europe, have their first (paying/pilot) customers, operate primarily in the B2B space, and are propelled by software, having at least a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). They look for founders to share their pitch deck, planned activities with milestones for the next period, and a financial plan.
idacapital
idacapital Investment Fund is a pioneering impact fund in Türkiye, focused on fostering transformational enterprises with high growth potential while addressing societal and environmental challenges. The fund aims to align profit with purpose, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future by investing in technology-driven sectors such as FinTech & Digital Inclusion, LogTech, HealthTech, EdTech, ClimateTech, and AgroTech in Türkiye and beyond. They seek companies with disruptive ideas poised for rapid growth, targeting untapped niches or challenging established industries, investing in ventures that generate strong returns while driving positive social and environmental impact. idacapital looks for high-growth, scalable, and disruptive innovative companies that can achieve substantial growth and profitability. They back ventures primed to capitalize on significant market opportunities. The fund runs the Innovate21st Acceleration & Investment program. This program includes a two-phased approach, with a careful two-stage evaluation system for applications. Startups chosen for investment are included in a 24-week acceleration program designed to develop their businesses, increase market share, and expand their network. The firm has a sector-agnostic approach but maintains a distinct focus on financial inclusion. They emphasize that net financial returns are the core driver of their investments, aligning with their mission to discover and invest in startups founded by the brightest minds to create the next gazelles emerging from Türkiye and beyond.
the Untitled Ventures
The Untitled Ventures focuses on investing in early-stage B2B deeptech products created by expats in Europe. They aim to help technology startups transform advanced technologies into real-world products, supporting their development from small startups to international businesses. Their areas of interest include AI, computer vision, robotics, agritech, medtech, and data management. The firm seeks companies with innovative products, talented teams, and global ambitions. They provide a balanced blend of expertise in technology, business, investment, and international markets to support portfolio companies' growth and international expansion. The name reflects their philosophy: focusing on the businesses in which they invest.
2150
2150 is a venture capital firm focused on investing in technology companies that are reimagining and innovating the Urban Stack. They aim to back entrepreneurs who are building businesses that change how cities are designed, constructed, and powered, for the better. Their strategy involves identifying and supporting 'Gigacorns' – technology champions with the potential to benefit billions of people, create billions in commercial value, and lower gigatons of emissions, ultimately contributing to a sustainable world by the year 2150. The firm's approach is described as 'Constructive Capital,' driven by a belief that the greatest challenges of our time present significant opportunities for innovation and investment returns. They value Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) alongside Internal Rate of Return (IRR), indicating a commitment to impact investing.