Minc
Minc is a startup house located in Malmö, Sweden, that aims to support entrepreneurs in building impactful and scalable businesses. Established in 2002 by the City of Malmö, Minc provides a platform for startups through incubator programs, accelerator programs like Fast Track Malmö, and pre-incubator programs. The organization emphasizes community, mentorship, and access to a global network of business angels, coaches, and industry experts. Minc's model prioritizes the well-being and growth of its entrepreneurs, and it operates without a profit-driven motive, as it is fully owned by the City of Malmö. Minc's strategy centers around providing personalized support tailored to each startup's specific needs. They offer programs such as Sprint for early-stage validation, along with other resources designed to help startups progress from the idea stage to scaling. Minc also emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusivity, demonstrated through initiatives like the Nordic Fe:male Invest Summit, which aims to connect female and non-binary founders with investors. The firm aims to foster an ecosystem where diverse voices are heard and innovation is driven by equality. Their approach includes creating opportunities for startups to connect with investors through events like Minc Capital Day and providing access to a network of mentors and coaches with real-world experience. By creating a strong community, Minc facilitates knowledge sharing and mutual support among its startups. The firm's investment structure, exemplified by Skåne Ventures, contributes to the startup ecosystem by providing funding opportunities and resources to support growth. Furthermore, Minc actively seeks to support the growth of specific industries within Malmö, such as the gaming industry, through collaborations with organizations like Game Habitat and DevHub. By focusing on creating a vibrant and supportive environment, Minc aims to nurture the next generation of successful startups in the region and beyond.
Motivate Ventures
Motivate Ventures empowers ambitious founders to realize their vision of tomorrow. They invest across the earliest stages of a company’s lifecycle, providing experience, connections, and capital to the leaders of tomorrow’s greatest companies. They are early stage specialists, focusing on pre-seed and seed stage companies. They actively work with high-caliber founders to co-create and bring ideas to life. Motivate Ventures also invests in and supports formidable emerging pre-seed and seed stage VC Funds. MVC invests in optimism, ingenuity, and humanity’s insatiable desire to creatively improve. They back incredible founders with strong domain knowledge who are tackling real, durable problems. They seek opportunities with very high growth potential in large and growing markets. Lauren Deluca at Motivate focuses on fintech and B2B software at the earliest stages – from idea through Seed – often supporting founders with incredible domain expertise and a non-consensus industry worldview.
Neveq
NEVEQ is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage companies, primarily in Europe and emerging markets. They aim to generate above-average investor returns through global investments. They look for companies with strong international potential, as evidenced by the statistic that over 90% of their portfolio companies' revenue comes from international clients. Their portfolio spans enterprise software, analytics, vertical marketplaces, fintech, and internet sectors. They seek to partner with companies en route to scaling user base.
Norrsken22
Norrsken22 partners with exceptional African entrepreneurs to scale disruptive businesses, leveraging an international network of tech founders and deep regional expertise. Focused on high-growth tech sectors, the fund emphasizes operational support, value creation, and impact-driven investments across Sub-Saharan Africa.
OM2
OM2 is a venture capital firm that builds fintech companies alongside entrepreneurs and partners. Their core focus is transforming how people and enterprises finance, transact, and interact. They aim to provide flexible funding, company growth resources, and true partnership to ventures in the fintech space. OM2 emphasizes long-term vision financing and supportive growth resources, spanning talent and technology, aiming to help companies evade typical startup pitfalls and accelerate market success. They strive to align short and long-term interests between investors and startups through flexible financing models, creating a dynamic and collaborative environment. OM2's investment strategy centers around a hands-on approach, working "shoulder-to-shoulder" with their portfolio companies. They aim to proactively seek and invest in people, technologies, and business models that they believe will build the fintech future. They are not just investors; they are fully invested partners who share resources and a common vision. OM2 aims to provide financial peace of mind so that portfolio companies can focus on building great products and companies. OM2 views the fintech sector as a new frontier and an important part of the global tech future. They leverage proprietary technologies and deep expertise to change how financing, transacting, and interaction occur in global markets. Their commitment to building strong fintech companies is evident through their listed portfolio, which includes companies involved in digital securities, scenario design and analysis, cloud-based financial exchange infrastructure, bank-business connectivity, and tokenized securities exchanges.
Portage
Portage is a global investment platform focused on fintech and financial services. Their mission is to empower entrepreneurs reshaping financial services by providing flexible capital and a global network of investors, commercial partners, advisors, and value creation experts. They have deep industry knowledge and entrepreneurial experience, and are committed to supporting leaders in the fintech and financial services space. Portage leverages a thesis-driven investment approach, enabling differentiated insights, understanding of market dynamics and opportunities, and deep research and expertise. They aim to be long-term partners, with various pools of capital that allow them to partner with companies across all stages, from seed to later-stage. Their Value Creation team of vertical domain experts accelerates the growth of their portfolio companies through access to expertise in go-to-market, technology and cybersecurity, commercial partnerships, and business acceleration & M&A. Portage was founded in 2016 by Adam Felesky and Paul Desmarais III to help fintech and financial services entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of scaling from local startups to global companies. They started with early-stage fintech venture capital and have since expanded to late-stage fintech and financial services through Portage Capital Solutions in 2022. They have over 115 portfolio companies in 13 countries and have facilitated 142+ partnerships for their portfolio companies. Additionally, they have 1,000+ relationships with financial institutions and investors worldwide, with over 40 institutional, corporate, and family office investors, along with 20+ advisors with deep entrepreneurial and financial services experience.
QoQa Services SA
QoQa Services SA invests opportunistically in growth-stage Swiss fintech and digital platforms to leverage e-commerce synergies.
Quona Capital
Quona Capital invests in fintech innovators expanding financial access globally. They focus on driving inclusion, fueling economic growth, and creating lasting impact by targeting underserved businesses and customers. The firm blends purpose with investment performance, prioritizing companies that serve the financially excluded and underserved populations. Quona Capital emphasizes that opportunity shouldn't be limited by geography and they actively invest in markets like Latin America, India and Southeast Asia, and the EMEA region. Quona Capital not only provides capital, but also actively supports their portfolio companies by rolling up their sleeves and putting their expertise to work. The firm's partners are experienced financial services and tech investors, entrepreneurs, and operators. They are committed to helping their portfolio companies scale and achieve their missions. They have a team that speaks 18 languages, indicating a strong understanding of and presence within the markets they serve. The fund is pioneering in its approach to impact investing, focusing on companies that demonstrate a strong social mission alongside commercial viability. They measure their success not only by financial returns but also by the number of underserved customers and lives touched by their portfolio companies. By doing so, they position themselves as leaders in responsible and impactful fintech investing.
Raptor Group
The Raptor Group is an opportunistic venture capital firm that invests across various stages and asset classes, ranging from early-stage ventures to private and public equity, as well as funds. Backed by the Family Office of Jim Pallotta, the firm seeks to add more than just financial value by leveraging its operating and strategic expertise, along with its extensive global network, to support and drive growth for its portfolio companies. They aim to partner with driven entrepreneurs, innovators, operators, corporate executives, and professional investors, aligning with a mission to create long-term outsized investment returns. Raptor Group's culture is described as relentlessly entrepreneurial, opportunistic, and nimble, forming the core DNA of the organization and influencing every aspect of their business. The firm's website highlights its investment focus on sectors including technology, fintech, digital assets and finance, consumer, sports, media and gaming, healthcare, and industrials. The firm provides strategic support, compressing the growth curve to help companies realize their vision faster. While a specific investment thesis isn't explicitly stated, the firm's investment approach leans towards active involvement beyond capital infusion, offering strategic guidance, operational expertise, and access to a global network. This suggests a preference for businesses where they can make a substantial impact on growth and performance. The firm seems particularly drawn to opportunities within rapidly evolving industries, as evidenced by their investments in areas such as digital assets, media and gaming, and consumer goods. The firm targets driven and talented entrepreneurs and innovators who are seeking experienced partners that share a mission to create long-term outsized investment returns. They appear to be seeking ventures that can benefit from strategic and operational expertise as well as access to their global network.
Sagard NewGen
Sagard is a global multi-strategy alternative asset management firm that invests across venture capital, private equity, private credit, and real estate. The firm focuses on providing flexible capital, an entrepreneurial culture, and a global network to help accelerate companies' paths to success. Sagard emphasizes its core values of entrepreneurship, innovation, collaboration, rigor, and authenticity. They aim to empower progress and build one of the most respected and impactful global alternative investment management firms by investing capital, culture, and network to drive returns for their clients and communities. Specifically, within venture capital, Sagard operates through Portage Ventures, Portage Capital Solutions, and Diagram. Portage Ventures focuses on early-stage fintech opportunities from seed to Series C, while Portage Capital Solutions provides flexible capital to later-stage businesses. Sagard aims to be more than just a capital provider, offering hands-on support in areas such as go-to-market strategy, technology and cybersecurity, business acceleration, mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships. Sagard also demonstrates a commitment to leveraging its global network of investors, portfolio companies, commercial partners, advisors, and value-creation experts to create tangible value for its portfolio companies. The firm's multi-strategy approach allows it to deliver capital across various stages and asset classes, providing a comprehensive solution for companies seeking growth and development. Sagard's overarching strategy is to actively support the leaders reshaping their respective industries. They emphasize a dynamic and supportive ecosystem that gives partners the advantage needed to learn, grow, and win at every stage, focusing on building long-term value through deep industry knowledge and entrepreneurial experience.
Startup Wise Guys Venture Capital Fund
Startup Wise Guys invests in bold, early-stage B2B startups globally, emphasizing international founders and overlooked markets. Their vertical-focused programs provide tailored mentorship, funding, and access to a global network to accelerate growth and achieve exponential MRR growth. They specialize in sectors like SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, and sustainability, with a mission to help startups scale and succeed worldwide.
Ten VC
Ten VC invests in brilliant founders building breakthrough technologies that can scale into transformational platforms. The firm focuses on pre-seed and seed stages, working closely with founders from the initial meeting to accelerate and de-risk their companies. Ten VC's investment approach is centered around leveraging strategic networks to maximize the impact of its portfolio companies. They have scouting teams in US research labs, EU, Israel, Canada, accelerators, incubators, and micro VCs. Further, they offer industry-specific and functional expert advice from industry leaders in fintech, synthetic bio, energy, insurtech, healthcare, and biotech, in addition to functional experts in growth, branding/marketing, product management, supply chain, IT, and HR. They also work with Technology specialists in analytics, AI, imaging, hardware, data/cloud, and genetics biomanufacturing. Ten VC focuses on breakthrough applications of deep science, including scalable biomanufacturing, next-generation chemistry, biotech/techbio, synthetic biology, and AI/ML for life sciences. They also invest in the industrial new normal, encompassing exponential automation, AI/ML, advanced manufacturing and supply chains, autonomous machines and applied systems, integrated compliance, and Fintech/Insurtech 2.0. Furthermore, they invest in new infrastructure & tools, new technological progress involving advanced computing, big data storage and processing, and transformational development tools. Ten VC is also interested in investments in Global Strategic Areas & Consumer Mega-Trends like Cybersecurity and Defense, Energy Transition, Natural Resources, Profitable Sustainability, Longevity and Space Tech.
Verdant IMAP
Verdant Capital operates as a specialist investment bank and investment manager focused on the African continent, specializing in private capital markets. They provide financial services to corporate entities and institutions, with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, raising private debt and equity for inclusive financial institutions and fintech companies, and offering debt restructuring advisory. They leverage their extensive investment experience and deep relationships to fuel pan-African development. Verdant Capital is the IMAP partner firm for its region, executing M&A transactions in collaboration with its 40+ IMAP partner firms globally. Their investment strategy is rooted in identifying opportunities within the inclusive financial services sector, including providing hybrid capital to financial institutions through their Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund. They also manage lending facilities to financial institutions for on-lending as invoice discounting and supply chain financing. The firm actively transacts across the African continent, with a presence in over 25 countries. Verdant Capital's segments of operation include Specialist Funds, Mergers and Acquisitions, Financial Institutions/Fintech, and Restructuring. Their Specialist Funds segment manages the Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund, a USD 80 million fund. They also offer restructuring advisory services, including debt renegotiations, distressed refinancing, and distressed M&A, advising both shareholders/debtor companies and creditor groups. Verdant Capital distinguishes itself through its pan-African expertise, global reach through the IMAP partnership, and a dedicated team with experience in both global investment management/banking and regional African markets. They have a strong track record of completing transactions and winning awards, demonstrating their competence in the African financial landscape.
Verve Venture Fund
Kinled invests in transformative technologies and academic-driven ventures, leveraging deep expertise in life sciences (biomedical tech, medical devices, robotics, neuromodulation), fintech (embedded payments, lending, insurance), and digital tech (SaaS, AI, quantum computing). The firm emphasizes active ownership, co-investment with leading funds, and nurturing startups from university origins to global scale.
Vidici Venture
Vidici Ventures is a leading Nordic FinTech investor that focuses on early-stage FinTech companies with high potential to make a big difference and high returns. They believe the financial world is undergoing a significant transformation, with new technologies disrupting the industry. Smaller, more effective companies are taking over areas previously dominated by large institutions, and the regulatory space is becoming more adaptive for new actors. Vidici positions itself as an enabler in this transformation by investing in startups that are poised to capitalize on these shifts. Vidici emphasizes active ownership, investing not only capital but also time and expertise. This hands-on approach allows them to gain deep insight into their investments, help companies grow, and mitigate risks through reduced information asymmetry. They work closely with entrepreneurs and management teams to build strong partnerships that drive long-term development. The firm leverages its strong network to understand the challenges of building fast-growing tech companies in heavily regulated markets. They bring expertise and lessons learned in scaling high-growth FinTech companies to support their portfolio companies. Vidici Ventures believes in the importance of investing in startups that have the potential to significantly transform the fintech industry, by investing in startups that have high potential to make a big difference and high returns.
West Hill Capital
West Hill Capital specializes in deploying capital into high-growth UK and international companies across diverse sectors, with a focus on financial services, biotech, cybersecurity, and fintech. The firm emphasizes aligned interests by personally investing alongside clients and leverages decades of experience in structuring high-impact transactions (e.g., IPOs, M&A, and landmark deals).
Yanno Capital
Yanno Capital invests in companies where people drive success, focusing on sectors like finance, consumer tech, and B2B software. They provide capital, leadership experience, and networks to support portfolio companies across growth and buy-out stages, emphasizing sustainable business models and strong product-market fit.
a16z Scouting Fund
a16z was founded in 2009 on the belief that software would fundamentally transform the world and that the most successful technology companies would become immensely valuable. The firm operates on a platform model, providing founders with a comprehensive team of operators across various functions, including marketing, talent, legal, and policy, to support them at every stage. Their investment team comprises former founders and operators with experience in building successful companies, offering firsthand knowledge of the challenges entrepreneurs face. a16z's investment strategy is centered around identifying and supporting builders who are shaping the future. They aim to provide these builders with the resources and support they need to succeed. The firm emphasizes long-term relationships and operates with a commitment to integrity, honesty, and keeping their word. a16z emphasizes investing in entrepreneurs to help achieve a better future and avoids public criticism of any entrepreneur or startup. They believe in taking a long view of relationships and prioritize truth and honesty in their interactions. The firm's philosophy extends to its internal culture, where actions are valued over beliefs. The firm emphasizes clarity about its values and expectations of team members. a16z takes inspiration from James Pierpont Morgan's approach to business, prioritizing respect for the entrepreneurial process and providing timely, substantive feedback to founders, even in cases of rejection. The firm invests across various sectors, from seed to growth stage, focusing on technology companies. The firm also actively produces content and engages with various forms of media to communicate and share big ideas.
i-Free
i-Free operates as a start-up studio, fostering a network of independent innovative companies primarily focusing on conversational AI, Foodtech, Fintech, and mobile gaming. They emphasize shared values and knowledge exchange within their community to facilitate success. Their core values include trust, responsibility, initiative, development, mutual attention, and support. They aim to support intrapreneurship, with a 20+ year history of backing ideas and people, currently supporting 10+ companies serving global customers. They invest in technologies across their focus areas and have a demonstrated history of M&A activity, indicating a willingness to exit investments when appropriate opportunities arise. i-Free's investment strategy seems centered on early-stage companies with high growth potential in specific technology sectors. The start-up studio model suggests they may take a more active role in helping these companies develop and scale. They focus on creating an ecosystem to help companies grow. Their portfolio highlights point to an active interest in AI, fintech, cloud infrastructure, and mobile entertainment. The mention of consulting companies within their portfolio indicates a value-add strategy, that provide support to IT businesses with legal, technical, and financial aspects of their businesses.
83North
83North invests in exceptional entrepreneurs building global category-leading companies across diverse sectors like AI, fintech, IoT, enterprise software, and healthcare. The firm emphasizes scalable innovation, operational excellence, and global market potential.
Augmentum
Augmentum is Europe's leading publicly listed fintech fund, focused on backing category-leading European fintechs in their early stages. They provide patient capital, industry expertise, and network access to drive growth and innovation in the fintech sector. Their investment strategy centers around identifying and supporting exceptional fintech teams, partnering closely to accelerate their growth and provide specialist advice and connections, including regulators, policymakers, talent, and incumbents. Augmentum leverages the extensive fintech investment experience of its partners, who have invested in 100+ fintechs over 16 years, and a well-networked team of entrepreneurs and investors who have been on both sides of the fence. They aim to be a true partner, supporting companies from initial investment through to exit. The firm adds value by providing entrepreneurial DNA, bringing their experience as former builders of fintech businesses to help portfolio companies navigate the challenges of scaling at pace. They also offer support in future fundraising, from pitch advice to investor introductions. Augmentum's deep network across the fintech sector enables them to open doors for portfolio companies, aiding in talent acquisition, business development, and future fundraising rounds. Augmentum's evergreen structure allows for flexibility and meaningful follow-on investments, demonstrating their commitment to long-term partnerships with their portfolio companies.
Augmentum Fintech
Augmentum specializes in backing category-leading European fintech companies, leveraging over 70 years of collective fintech investment experience. They provide patient capital, industry expertise, regulatory/policy connections, and a deep network to drive growth and innovation. The firm emphasizes hands-on support, long-term partnerships, and access to talent, business development, and fundraising opportunities.
BackingMinds
BackingMinds seems to focus on early-stage tech companies, prioritizing those addressing significant challenges across various industries. The firm appears to have a particular interest in companies demonstrating innovation, potential for scalability, and a commitment to driving positive change. Their portfolio companies suggest an alignment with themes like sustainability, healthcare innovation, fintech inclusion, and cybersecurity. They aim to back companies with 'blind spots', which implies that they are seeking out-of-the-box solutions to known problems. While the exact investment thesis is not explicitly stated on their website, BackingMinds evidently seeks companies with strong potential for growth, and they invest in companies based out of Northern Europe. Their current portfolio demonstrates a commitment to supporting technological innovations across a wide range of industries. BackingMinds is a venture firm that invests in early stage European companies. They look for ventures that combine strong growth prospects with tangible societal impact. They seem to prioritize innovations that can effectively address societal challenges, creating both financial and social returns. The firm's communication of news highlights an interest in companies achieving major milestones, securing funding, and forming key partnerships, indicating a hands-on approach to supporting their portfolio's continued development and scalability.
Cogito Capital Partners
Cogito Capital Partners is a venture capital firm with teams based in Warsaw and New York. They focus on empowering faster, smarter growth with a lasting impact, extending beyond capital to provide expertise, strategic guidance, and a robust network to support companies in scaling globally. The firm partners with visionary entrepreneurs ready to embark on their next phase of exponential growth, backing European technology companies with proven business models, strong market traction, global expansion potential, and exceptional leadership teams. They aim to drive transformative outcomes by working hand-in-hand with category leaders. Cogito Capital believes in the power of momentum, acting as early-growth investors. They invest in entrepreneurs who challenge the status quo and transform markets. The firm bridges the European and US markets, leveraging global expertise to support portfolio companies, indicating a hands-on approach in fostering their growth. They also prioritize working with companies and entrepreneurs who share their vision of a sustainable and equitable world, implying a commitment to responsible investing. Cogito Capital's investment strategy focuses on B2B tech companies with a Central European footprint and global expansion potential, particularly those in enterprise software, fintech, and physical AI. They actively seek companies that customers love, have world-class teams, and possess a clear vision for redefining their respective markets using AI. By leading investment rounds and providing strategic support, Cogito aims to position its portfolio companies as global standards in their industries.