New Funds & New Opportunities
At Uniborn, we genuinely believe that no barriers will stop talented teams from changing the world with their products. Moreover, sometimes the crisis becomes the impetus for decisive changes.
That's why we launched the #laidoff initiative to support laid-off employees planning to start their own startups.
To help entrepreneurs navigate the colorful world of VC, we regularly collect a digest of funds that have recently launched, manifested their focus areas, and are ready to invest in European startups.
This week we also added some media highlights with selections of the most active investors in various industries β AI, DeepTech, and CyberSecurity. In addition, the digest includes an overview of the most promising verticals at the seed stage.
π₯ Europe's 11 most active AI investors
2023 promises to be a breakthrough year for AI. This area is expected to regain media and investor attention that was partially lost last year. Sifted analyzed previous year's deals involving AI startups and compiled a list of 11 investors who are ready to support such projects. Take advantage of this if you need smart money with industry expertise.
π₯ Meet 13 VCs dominating cybersecurity
The global state of affairs has actualized cybersecurity problems, which fueled interest in startups that develop innovations in this area. As a result, Fortune has prepared a list of 13 investors who are enthusiastically supporting such projects.
π₯ Europe's most active DeepTech investors
Investment in DeepTech declined somewhat in 2022, but overall the sector has weathered the crisis well, as it's true for early-stage startups. So, where to go for support if you are developing a science-intensive project? Sifted identified 11 of the most active European investors of last year.
π₯ Top Seed Trends of the last four months
Crunchbase News analyzed the seed rounds of the last four months and identified four areas that attracted a growing activity of investors and founders: carbon capture, AI productivity tools, fertility and women's health, and hybrid work.
Read the Crunchbase article to find out what these trends indicate about the development of society and technology in general and what is "progress behind the scenes."
Funds of the Week
πΈ Highland Europe has raised a β¬1bn fund
Venture capital firm Highland Europe has raised β¬1bn for its latest fund, bringing its total capital to β¬2.75bn. The capital will be used to finance private software and consumer internet companies across Europe. Despite a slowdown in the tech industry, Highland Europe's expansion of its fund size by over 40% demonstrates confidence from its limited partners in its performance.Β
The firm has backed companies such as WeTransfer, Huel, Contentsquare, and Wolt, which DoorDash acquired in 2021.Β
πΈ PropTech1 Ventures has announced the first close of its second fund at β¬44m
PropTech1 Ventures, a Berlin-based firm specializing in proptech investments, has raised β¬44 million in the first close of its second fund. The new fund addresses leading real estate trends such as sustainability, energy and infrastructure, and climate resilience.Β
The first close subsumes commitments from returning investors and new participants such as Helaba, SchΓΆrghuber Group, Halton Ventures, and private investments from entrepreneurs and managers. PropTech1 Ventures has invested in companies including Seniovo, Wunderflats, Building Radar, Thing-it, and Desana.
πΈ Targeting Nordic B2B SaaS, Monterro closes fifth small cap fund at β¬150 million
Monterro, a Nordic-focused B2B software investment firm, has successfully raised β¬150 million for its fifth fund, G1, through existing Monterro LPs. G1 will mainly back established small caps in B2B software but has the flexibility to invest in early-stage rounds. The firm still possesses 80% of its previous M4 fund that it can devote to investment; the fund closed last November with β¬700 million.Β
Monterro has an outstanding track record for successful exits, including Matilda FoodTech and Outpost 24. Also, it has partners in key growth locations: Munich, Vietnam's Scandinavia Software Park, and two Nordic branches in Stockholm and Oslo.Β
πΈ Sequoia Announces New $195M Seed Fund
Sequoia Capital has raised a $195 million fund for seed-stage startups. The move indicates a return of venture capital firms to the funding game after a quiet year on the private markets. Some of the funds will be allocated to Sequoia's accelerator program, Arc, which will run three cycles and provide up to $1 million to each seed-stage company participating in 2023.Β
πΈ ISIF among backers for Waterland's β¬4bn pan-European investment funds
Waterland Private Equity Investment has raised β¬4 billion across two European funds, with the support of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and other backers from Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia Pacific.Β
The firm's Private Equity Fund IX is targeting medium-sized companies in "fragmented growth markets" across Europe. At the same time, its Partnership Fund I will take a small stake in a few companies after exiting its initial investment. The firm will continue its 'buy-and-build' strategy and hopes to deploy as much capital as possible from the new funds in the Irish market.Β
Cover image: Unsplash
Uniborn is a community-led platform for sourcing, sharing, syndicating, and amplifying startups.
Uniborn is a trade name of Uniborn OΓ, registry code 16515953, Rotermanni 6, Tallinn, 10111, Estonia.
We are not intended to be a substitute for legal, tax or financial advice.
Uniborn OΓ is licensed by the Estonian FIU as Trust and Company Service provider, operating license FIU000420.