Eleven Ventures

Eleven Ventures is a prominent early-stage venture capital firm based in Sofia, Bulgaria, focused on supporting startups across Southeast Europe (SEE). Founded in 2012 by Daniel Tomov and Ivaylo Simov, later joined by Vassil Terziev, Eleven began as one of the first accelerators in the region and has since evolved into a full-fledged VC firm. The fund primarily invests in sectors such as fintech, healthcare, sustainable food, and the future of work. Their mission is to identify and nurture "local heroes" who have the potential to scale their businesses globally, providing them with not only capital but also strategic guidance and a robust support network. Eleven Ventures has made over 262 investments, backing companies at the pre-seed and seed stages, and has a proven track record of picking winners early. Some of its notable investments include Payhawk, a fintech startup that became Bulgaria's first unicorn, and SMSbump, which was later acquired by Yotpo. The firm has also backed companies like Gtmhub, Healee, and Dronamics, reflecting its commitment to diverse industries and innovative solutions. In 2022, Eleven closed its third fund, raising €60 million, which was ten times the size of its previous fund, underscoring the growing tech scene in SEE and Eleven's role in fostering this growth. With structured programs like Eleven Alpha, which provides fixed investment deals and tailored support, the firm ensures startups can accelerate their journey from idea to scalable business. Beyond initial funding, Eleven also offers follow-on investment capacity, demonstrating a long-term commitment to the companies it backs. Eleven's hands-on approach, coupled with strategic partnerships and an expansive network, has made it a cornerstone of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Southeast Europe, enabling local startups to think beyond regional boundaries and compete on the global stage.