Security & Privacy VC Funds

Singularity University (SU) is a global learning and innovation community aimed at leveraging exponential technologies to address humanity's grand challenges. Through its Ventures program, SU supports startups that aim to make a significant global impact, focusing on industries such as biotechnology, healthcare, AI, and sustainability. SU Ventures has an impressive portfolio of companies that have collectively raised nearly $1 billion. Notable investments include Matternet, which pioneered drone delivery systems for medical supplies; Getaround, a leading car-sharing platform; and Be My Eyes, an app connecting visually impaired individuals with volunteers for real-time assistance. Other significant companies in their portfolio are Hala Systems, which provides technology-driven solutions for conflict zones, and Nexleaf Analytics, which develops sensor technologies for health and environmental monitoring. SU's investments emphasize innovative solutions that combine advanced technology with real-world applications to create sustainable and scalable impacts. Singularity University's Venture Fund I has also supported companies like Litesprite, which creates therapeutic gaming experiences, and ImpactVision, which uses hyperspectral imaging to improve food safety and quality. These investments highlight SU's commitment to fostering companies that not only push technological boundaries but also contribute to societal well-being.

Siparex is a prominent independent private equity firm based in France, managing over €3.7 billion in assets. The firm specializes in supporting companies across various stages of growth, from startups to intermediate-sized enterprises (ETIs). Siparex operates through multiple strategies, including ETI, Midcap, Mezzanine, Entrepreneurs, XAnge, TiLT Capital, and Territoires, enabling them to address diverse investment needs. Notable investments by Siparex include Efectis, a specialist in fire and explosion risk assessment, Green Fusion, which develops cloud-based energy management systems, and Capron Podologie, a leader in podiatry equipment. Siparex's approach is characterized by close collaboration with company management to implement effective solutions and drive both financial and extra-financial performance. The firm has a strong international presence with nine offices, including locations in France and abroad, and partnerships in Africa and North America, facilitating global reach and local expertise. Siparex is committed to being a responsible investor, integrating ethical considerations and sustainability into its investment decisions. In recent years, Siparex has continued to grow its assets under management through active fundraising, exemplified by the success of its Siparex ETI 5 fund, which closed at €450 million, and TiLT Capital's first fund, which raised €320 million.

SIX Group operates as a key financial infrastructure provider for both the Swiss and Spanish markets, connecting global financial institutions with vital services in securities trading, financial data, and payment systems. Formed through a merger in 2008, SIX supports a network of over 120 banks, making it a central player in maintaining the stability and efficiency of financial systems. The group is responsible for operating the Swiss and Spanish stock exchanges and offers post-trade services, such as clearing and settlement, ensuring seamless and secure financial transactions. SIX's innovation efforts extend into digital assets and ESG data services, pushing the boundaries of financial technology by focusing on the development of sustainable and future-proof financial markets. This includes the company’s efforts in carbon tracking and promoting green finance. Their commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) data solutions enables clients to make informed sustainable investments. With headquarters in Zurich, SIX is continually expanding its global reach, having strategically invested in cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence. It provides world-class financial data to help banks, asset managers, and financial institutions stay compliant with ever-evolving regulations. Additionally, its leadership under CEO Jos Dijsselhof emphasizes growth and technological advancement, positioning SIX as a competitive force in the rapidly evolving landscape of global finance.

SixThirty Ventures, founded in 2013 and based in St. Louis, Missouri, is a global venture capital firm investing in early-stage companies at the intersection of health, wealth, and privacy. The firm focuses on sectors such as fintech, insurtech, cybersecurity, and digital health. Notable investments include Reblaze, which provides cloud-based protection for web platforms; Silverfort, which secures authentication and authorization within corporate networks; and Bankjoy, a provider of modern banking technology solutions for credit unions. Other key investments are CogniCor, an AI-based cognitive virtual assistant platform, and Bloq, which delivers enterprise-grade blockchain technology. SixThirty Ventures typically invests in late seed-stage startups that have market traction and are starting to earn revenue. The firm supports these startups through a combination of funding, mentorship, and connections, helping them to scale and succeed. The global team, including experienced professionals like Atul Kamra and Ginna Baik, provides strategic counsel and support from day one, leveraging a vast network of corporate partners and advisors.

Skyfall Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Oslo, Norway, specializing in Nordic technology startups. Founded in 2016, Skyfall Ventures manages over NOK 350 million and focuses on companies with high growth potential, particularly those led by teams with a strong technical background. The firm primarily invests in early-stage companies, often participating in seed rounds, with initial investment tickets ranging from NOK 3-5 million, and provides follow-on capital for growth. Skyfall is sector-agnostic but shows a strong interest in industries like artificial intelligence, blockchain, web3, bioinformatics, and climate tech. The firm has made approximately 40 investments, including notable companies such as Tise, Nabobil, Vev, and Strise, many of which are focused on software innovation with a significant emphasis on scalability. The venture firm prioritizes startups that leverage cutting-edge technology to create disruptive solutions in their respective markets. Skyfall’s philosophy includes backing companies as early as possible, often before they have fully developed their product, allowing founders to receive support right from the idea stage. With a strong commitment to its portfolio companies, Skyfall’s approach blends entrepreneurial insight and financial backing to help founders navigate the early challenges of growth and scale effectively. For those interested in pitching to Skyfall, the firm actively encourages early-stage founders to connect and explore potential partnerships.

The Slack Fund is a venture capital initiative established by Slack in partnership with leading firms like Accel, Index Ventures, KPCB, Social Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, and Spark Capital. Since its inception in 2015, the fund has focused on investing in early-stage companies that are shaping the future of work through innovative software solutions. The fund has grown significantly, with the latest Fund III reaching $100 million. This expansion allows Slack Fund to lead and co-lead investment rounds, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and access to Slack’s extensive network. The fund has made nearly 100 investments across North America and Europe, supporting companies like Hightouch, Loom, Lattice, and Hopin. These investments span various sectors including collaboration tools, mental health and wellness, and developer platforms​. The Slack Fund is committed to a hands-on investment approach, ensuring that founders receive the mentorship and support they need to succeed. This approach has facilitated numerous successes, with portfolio companies collectively raising around $5.5 billion in subsequent funding rounds. Notable exits include companies like Halp, DataFox, and Demisto. By continuously adapting to the evolving landscape of work, the Slack Fund aims to remain at the forefront of innovation, helping to create a more productive and engaging future of work.

Slow Ventures is a prominent early-stage venture capital firm that invests in companies positioned at the heart of the technology industry, as well as those exploring the edges of science, society, and culture. With offices in San Francisco, New York, and Boston, Slow Ventures has built a reputation for backing transformative ideas and helping visionary founders turn those ideas into impactful businesses. Their portfolio includes high-profile startups such as Allbirds, Robinhood, and Pinterest, which demonstrate the firm’s commitment to disruptive innovation across multiple sectors. Slow Ventures’ investment philosophy revolves around empowering companies that have the potential to shift entire industries. Whether it's a consumer product revolutionizing the way people think about sustainability, or a fintech platform democratizing access to financial markets, Slow Ventures seeks founders who are deeply curious, passionate, and mission-driven. The firm typically writes checks at the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, offering flexible financial support and hands-on mentorship to help startups grow from concept to full-scale operations​. With a focus on creating long-term value, Slow Ventures is deeply involved in the entrepreneurial journey, providing founders with access to a community of experienced advisors and resources. Their approach goes beyond financial investment, aiming to nurture companies that can positively impact society. They also have a strong interest in the convergence of technology with cultural and scientific developments, giving them a unique edge in spotting emerging trends and opportunities​.

Smart Infrastructure Ventures (SIVentures) is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Leipzig, Germany, focusing on software-driven startups in energy, proptech, smart city technology, IoT, e-mobility, and e-health sectors. Founded in 2019, the firm primarily supports startups in the early phases, from pre-seed to Series A, with typical check sizes ranging between €150,000 to €300,000. The firm emphasizes scalable, tech-centric solutions that address infrastructure challenges and works closely with the SpinLab Accelerator to provide mentorship, workspace, and a network of industry experts. SIVentures’ geographic focus is on Germany, particularly in the eastern regions, such as Saxony, where they aim to foster innovation in smart infrastructure solutions. Their portfolio includes notable startups like Mainteny, a SaaS platform for maintenance management, and Enginsight, a cybersecurity firm. They adopt a hands-on approach, offering strategic advice and connecting startups with co-investors and key industry players. Co-founded by Björn Bauermeister and Dirk Frohnert, the firm’s leadership brings significant experience in venture capital and infrastructure technology, helping build an impactful ecosystem in the region. Startups looking to approach SIVentures should have a clear technological vision, with scalable business models aligned to infrastructure and smart city innovations.

SmartGate VC is a pre-seed venture capital firm based in California and Armenia, with a strong focus on deep tech investments at the intersection of AI, healthcare, biotech, security, and IoT. Since its founding, the firm has built a robust portfolio of 31 companies, actively participating in their journey from pre-seed to seed stages. Notable investments include Krisp, a noise cancellation technology company, and SuperAnnotate, known for its fast annotation platform for AI training. Recently, they invested in Tactun, a company pioneering no-code controllers for smart manufacturing, which aims to connect intelligence to the physical world and revolutionize manufacturing processes. SmartGate VC emphasizes a strong collaborative approach, leveraging its network of industry professionals, scientists, and entrepreneurs through their Hero House tech hubs in California and Yerevan. These hubs serve as incubators for innovative ideas and provide essential support to startups in their growth phases. Their strategy involves identifying promising tech leaders early on and providing them with the necessary capital, talent, and industry connections to succeed. The firm has shown significant success in raising additional funds for its portfolio companies, with every $100K invested resulting in $6.5M raised on average. The firm is led by experienced partners such as Ashot Arzumanyan and aims to support the next generation of tech entrepreneurs in bringing transformative solutions to market.

SMBC Venture Capital, established in 2005, is the corporate venture capital arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The firm focuses on early to growth-stage investments across a diverse range of industries, including technology, healthcare, financial services, and mobility solutions. With a portfolio of over 656 investments and significant co-investment partnerships, SMBC Venture Capital plays a vital role in fostering innovation within Japan's startup ecosystem. Notable recent investments include companies like SmartNews, which became a unicorn in 2019, and Luup, a micromobility service that provides essential transport solutions across Japan. SMBC Venture Capital's strategic approach combines rigorous risk assessment with a willingness to support promising startups even in their nascent stages. This flexibility and foresight have enabled the firm to back companies that address critical market needs and have the potential for significant growth​. The firm is led by a team of seasoned professionals, including President Tomofumi Saeki and Deputy General Manager Naoki Fujita, who bring extensive experience in investment strategy and corporate finance. SMBC Venture Capital's strong alignment with its parent company's resources and network allows it to provide substantial operational support and strategic guidance to its portfolio companies, facilitating their growth and success in both domestic and international markets.

SNO Ventures is a Nordic-focused early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2015 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, positioned as a global-access, local-support partner for the region's most ambitious technology founders. The firm was co-founded by Magne Uppman and Teodor Bjerrang, who lead an international partnership that now includes partners Max Samuel and Kremena Tosheva, supported by a team of around eight people with six partners across the Nordics and the US. SNO leads and co-leads rounds and routinely syndicates with Tiger Global, Founders Fund, TQ Ventures, Coatue, a16z, Paradigm, Accel, Seedcamp, Talis Capital, and Temasek. Across three funds the firm has raised more than $100 million in cumulative capital: Fund I at approximately $12 million (100 million NOK), Fund II at approximately $54 million (550 million NOK), and Fund III at a roughly $100 million target dedicated to backing visionary Nordic entrepreneurs at pre-seed, seed, and Series A. The LP base is unusual for a Nordic micro-VC: funds are anchored by German-American billionaire Peter Thiel and other Silicon Valley backers who share SNO's frontier-tech, contrarian investment thesis. SNO has made 24 disclosed investments. Notable portfolio companies include Sky Mavis / Axie Infinity -- the Vietnamese blockchain-gaming unicorn whose $152 million Series B was led by a16z -- Presail, Sceneri, Be Your Best, Nordic Air Defence in counter-drone defense, Stendr, and most recently IntuiCell. SNO's philosophy is to back founders with global ambitions from day one, helping them access the international capital and networks that Nordic ecosystems historically required Silicon Valley sponsors to unlock.

SNR is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in companies operating within the information technology sector. Established to back innovative founders working in deep tech, SNR invests in transformative technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The firm has a clear emphasis on solving real-world problems with scalable solutions. SNR’s portfolio includes notable investments like Mesh, a Series A recipient, which raised $22 million with support from investors including Samsung NEXT and Galaxy Digital. The firm typically seeks out opportunities that can leverage AI and frontier technologies for significant industry disruptions. The firm’s mission revolves around amplifying the “signal” — the meaningful innovation — in a world crowded with background noise. By focusing on high-impact startups, SNR aims to drive the next wave of technological breakthroughs​.

Social Capital, founded in 2011 by Chamath Palihapitiya and Ted Maidenberg, is a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California. The firm focuses on investing in a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, financial services, education, and enterprise software, emphasizing companies that aim to solve significant societal problems through technology and innovation​. Over the years, Social Capital has made notable investments in companies such as Slack, Yammer, and Opendoor Technologies. The firm gained attention for its SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) strategy, which led to the successful public listing of companies like Opendoor​. Social Capital manages a substantial portfolio with 488 investments and 176 exits. The firm has a unique approach that combines traditional venture capital with a strong focus on social impact and systemic change. Chamath Palihapitiya, the CEO, continues to lead the firm, driving its mission to tackle complex global challenges through innovative solutions​.

Social Leverage, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in software, consumer, and fintech sectors. The firm has made over 200 investments, including notable companies like Robinhood, Life360, and eToro. Social Leverage typically leads seed and early-stage rounds, often investing between $1M and $10M. Their investment strategy focuses on high-growth potential startups that leverage technology to disrupt traditional industries. They are active and hands-on investors, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and access to an extensive network of industry contacts. The core team includes co-founders Howard Lindzon and Tom Peterson, with managing partners Gary Benitt and Matt Ober. The team operates primarily from Scottsdale, with additional presence in San Diego and New York City. Their approach is characterized by a deep engagement with portfolio companies, assisting them with operational and corporate development. Recent investments include BirdWatch, a property management platform, and FinChat, a generative AI startup for investment research. For startups looking to engage with Social Leverage, it's advisable to emphasize innovative solutions with strong market potential and a clear path to scalability.

Social Starts is a venture capital firm that uses a data-driven approach to identify and invest in early-stage companies. Founded in 2012, the firm has a focus on sectors such as health tech, digital brands, e-commerce, employment platforms, next-generation food, and education. Social Starts operates a series of funds, including the "Social Starts Health and Happiness" fund, which targets startups aiming to improve human health and well-being​. The firm's investment range typically falls between $50,000 and $1 million, with a sweet spot around $500,000. Social Starts is known for supporting companies from their inception through to Series A rounds, leveraging a robust network of advisors and industry experts to help portfolio companies grow​. With a presence in major innovation hubs like San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, Austin, Boston, and Singapore, Social Starts has built a diverse portfolio. The firm is particularly noted for its ability to find and back high-potential startups in emerging segments by employing advanced analytics to guide its investment decisions​.

Sofimac Partners is a seasoned French venture capital and private equity firm with a focus on supporting high-growth SMEs and innovative startups. Established over 40 years ago, the firm specializes in early-stage investments, particularly in sectors like life sciences, healthtech, deeptech, and industrial engineering. Based in cities like Paris, Lyon, Rennes, and Marseille, Sofimac has an extensive national presence, allowing it to stay close to key innovation hubs across France. Sofimac manages over €750 million in assets, with a portfolio of more than 90 active companies. Their investment strategy focuses on early-stage startups, often providing seed to Series A funding with ticket sizes ranging from €100,000 to €2 million. They are also committed to long-term partnerships, with the ability to follow on in subsequent rounds, supporting startups through their growth journey. Notable companies in their portfolio include Diabeloop, an innovator in diabetes management, and Mob-Energy, which develops robotic electric vehicle charging solutions. The firm also runs the Pertinence Invest 2 fund, which specifically targets disruptive technologies emerging from academic research, particularly in healthcare and engineering. With a hands-on approach, Sofimac works closely with founders, offering not just capital but strategic guidance and access to a broad network of industry experts and institutional partners.

Softline Venture Partners is the corporate venture capital arm of Softline Group, one of the largest IT service and software distribution groups serving Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Moscow, the fund focuses on seed-to-early-stage software technology investments in Russia and CIS markets, with a particular interest in cloud computing, cybersecurity, big data, IoT, artificial intelligence, edtech, HR-tech, and edge computing. The fund has been led since inception by Elena Volotovskaya, who simultaneously serves as Vice President of Investments at Softline and has overseen more than 100 transactions over 14-plus years. Volotovskaya also chairs the commission selecting software vendors for Russia's national SME digitalization programme and serves as Vice President of Opora Rossii. Typical cheque sizes run $100,000 to $1 million per company, with approximately $20 to $25 million deployed across 36 disclosed investments. Portfolio companies benefit from Softline Group's distribution reach across 30-plus countries and 60,000-plus customers, giving founders a concrete go-to-market channel at entry. Notable portfolio names include electroNeek (RPA, $500,000 seed), Kickidler, JagaJam (analytics), T-One Group (IoT), and HR Rocket, whose seed round in December 2025 is the firm's most recent disclosed investment. The fund has realized two portfolio exits, with Group T-1 exiting in November 2023, and also acquired ScrollTool in March 2025. Softline VP's distinguishing advantage is the parent group's direct market access: portfolio companies can leverage Softline's customer relationships to accelerate commercial traction in a way that independent funds cannot offer, making the CVC an attractive first institutional partner for B2B software founders in Russia and CIS.

Solana Ventures, established in 2021 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a venture capital firm dedicated to accelerating the growth of the Solana blockchain ecosystem. The firm focuses on early-stage investments, including seed funding and initial coin offerings (ICOs), across various sectors such as DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 technologies. Solana Ventures has a diverse portfolio of notable investments. Some of their key projects include STEPN, a move-to-earn fitness app; Jito Labs, which focuses on optimizing Solana validators; and Cripco, a blockchain-based entertainment ecosystem. They have invested in 97 companies to date, including high-impact projects like Unite.io, a social platform software, and Ambient Network, an environmental services company. The firm has seen several successful exits, such as Pixelynx, which was acquired in December 2022, and Cardinal, a financial software company. Solana Ventures' investment strategy emphasizes supporting projects that enhance the Solana blockchain's capabilities and ecosystem, leveraging their capital and expertise to foster innovation and growth in the blockchain space.

Soma Capital, founded in 2015 by Aneel Ranadive, is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in software and technology startups that aim to automate and improve various sectors. Soma Capital's approach is stage- and sector-agnostic, investing globally in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, South America, and Asia. Soma Capital has raised several funds, with its latest, Soma Capital Fund III, closing at $412 million in January 2022. This fund is used to support unicorn and startup software companies around the world. The firm has made significant investments in over 1,097 companies, including notable names like Cruise, Rappi, Ironclad, Human Interest, Razorpay, Rippling, and Lambda School. Soma Capital has seen 19 of its portfolio companies achieve unicorn status and has been involved in more than 140 exits. The firm’s leadership includes Founder and Managing Partner Aneel Ranadive, along with partners like Mir Faiyaz and Nikhita Jaaswal. Soma Capital's mission is to invest in transformative technology solutions that can impact billions of people globally​.

Sony Innovation Fund is the corporate venture capital arm of Sony Group, established in 2016. SIF invests in early-stage startups with a focus on transformational technologies that shape the future of business, entertainment, and society. The fund operates globally, with offices in the U.S., Japan, EU, Israel, and India, managing over $250 million in assets. SIF targets a wide range of sectors including entertainment, fintech, healthcare, IoT, mobility, deep tech, and sensor technologies. They support startups by providing not only capital but also access to Sony’s extensive technical expertise, global network, and R&D capabilities. This strategic support helps startups scale and innovate within their industries. The fund's portfolio includes companies like Arkose Labs, which focuses on AI/ML for trust and safety, and Truepic, which works on digital content authentication. SIF also places significant emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues, integrating these considerations into their investment process to create long-term value. The leadership team features experienced professionals like Gen Tsuchikawa, Chairman of Sony Ventures Corporation, and Austin Noronha, Managing Director in the U.S., who drive the fund’s strategic vision and operations. SIF continues to explore and invest in innovative technologies that align with Sony’s mission of bringing creativity and promising innovations to a connected world.

Sora Ventures, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, is a leading venture capital firm in Asia focusing on blockchain and digital asset investments. The firm aims to bridge the gap between the blockchain community and the traditional business world by providing both capital and strategic support to innovative startups. Sora Ventures primarily invests in early to mid-stage companies, with a focus on Web3, Fintech, and cryptocurrency technologies. Their portfolio includes notable investments in blockchain-focused startups like Satflow and BRC20, with a total of 73 investments to date. Sora Ventures is known for being deeply involved in the ecosystem, offering more than just funding—they help companies scale and navigate the complexities of transitioning blockchain projects into real-world applications. Sora Ventures typically participates in Series B rounds, investing across the Asian and global markets. With a commitment to fostering innovation in the digital asset space, the firm plays a key role in the development of the blockchain sector, making it a prominent player in the industry. Co-investing with other top blockchain venture funds, Sora Ventures has positioned itself as a strategic partner for startups aiming to grow and expand in this rapidly evolving industry. The firm’s managing partner, Jason Fang, leads the investment team from their base in Taipei, further emphasizing their strong regional focus while maintaining a global investment outlook.

Sound Ventures, co-founded by Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary, is a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in transformative technologies. The firm recently closed its $240 million AI fund, aiming to back pioneering companies in the artificial intelligence space, such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and StabilityAI. Sound Ventures' investment strategy focuses on identifying and supporting exceptional founders developing technologies with significant societal impact. Their portfolio includes high-profile companies like Airbnb, Uber, Flexport, and GitLab, reflecting their broad investment scope across industries. The firm leverages its deep expertise in both technology and entertainment to provide strategic support and industry connections to its portfolio companies. Led by General Partners Effie Epstein, Ashton Kutcher, and Guy Oseary, Sound Ventures manages over $1 billion in assets. They are known for their proactive approach in guiding startups from ideation through to scaling, emphasizing a strong partnership with founders throughout the process. For startups looking to engage with Sound Ventures, it's beneficial to demonstrate innovative AI applications or technologies that promise significant advancements and societal benefits. Reaching out with well-prepared presentations and leveraging networks can facilitate initial contact.

The South Australian Venture Capital Fund (SAVCF) is a A$50 million government-backed co-investment vehicle established in 2017 by the South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA) to back innovative early-stage companies headquartered in South Australia. The fund is managed by Artesian Venture Partners, Australia's largest and most active early-stage VC, which runs SAVCF out of its Adelaide office as part of a broader Asia-Pacific platform with additional offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, and Shanghai. SAVCF only backs companies that have demonstrated a market, commenced revenue or customer validation, and can scale capital-efficiently into national and global markets. Deployment strategy targets 10 to 20 pre-Series A investments at A$1 million to A$2 million per deal, plus 5 to 12 Series A investments at roughly A$2.5 million, always matched with at least 50% co-investment from other VCs, angels, or strategics. Typical check sizes run $1 million to $2.5 million. The portfolio spans biotech, deep tech, space and IoT, and SaaS, and includes BiomeBank (gut microbiome clinical-stage biotech), Ferronova (cancer diagnostics), Fivecast (OSINT and security analytics), Fleet Space Technologies (low-power satellite IoT), Myriota (satellite IoT), Lumary (healthcare SaaS processing over A$2.5 billion of NDIS services), Kid Sense (paediatric therapy services), Kindship (disability-parent social network), Pearler.AI (tender and grant response AI), Seonix Bio (genetic glaucoma risk), and Val.AI (home energy efficiency). The SAVCF structure reflects a deliberate policy objective: to develop South Australia's innovation ecosystem by ensuring promising local companies attract the co-investment and mentorship needed to scale beyond the state's borders, with Artesian providing the institutional investment infrastructure.

South Central Ventures (SCV) is the leading early-stage venture capital firm focused on the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe, founded in 2015 with offices in Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade, and Skopje. The firm's mandate is to serve as the first institutional investor in regional B2B technology startups, helping founders attract international co-investors and scale into global markets. SCV leads rounds with initial tickets starting at 500,000 euros and growing to 5 million euros over a company's lifetime. Managing Partner Tatjana Zabasu Mikuz leads the team alongside Partner Goran Stevanovic, who brings more than 20 years in software. SCV manages two funds: the 40 million euro Enterprise Innovation Fund (ENIF), backed by the European Investment Fund, which deploys up to 3 million euros per company; and the new 70 million euro SCV Technology Fund III announced in 2024, with LPs including the European Investment Fund, EBRD, Zavarovalnica Triglav, Slovenian logistics group BTC, and various institutional and individual investors. Across its history SCV has backed 63 companies, with 38 currently active in portfolio and 10 exits including Orgnostic, Rubik, and SplxAI, which was acquired in November 2025. The portfolio spans enterprise SaaS, AI, fintech, adtech, and agritech. Notable 2024 deals include Leanpay's 10 million euro Series B in July 2024 and SplxAI's $2 million round in September 2024. The most recent disclosed investment is Katalist, an AI platform for professional video production, which closed a $1.5 million seed led by SCV in December 2025. SCV's thesis rests on the conviction that the Western Balkans -- with strong engineering talent, competitive operating costs, and EU accession momentum -- produces globally competitive B2B software companies that are systematically undervalued by international investors.

South Park Commons (SPC), founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, is a venture capital firm and community focused on supporting talented technologists, builders, and domain experts. SPC invests primarily in pre-seed and seed-stage companies across a range of sectors, including AI, machine learning, fintech, healthcare, and SaaS. Notable investments by SPC include Pilot, a financial services company founded by SPC members Waseem Daher and Jeff Arnold, which became SPC's first unicorn. Another significant investment is Render, a cloud platform for developers founded by Anurag Goel, an SPC member and former Stripe employee. Additionally, SPC has backed Unit21, a fintech security startup, and Orb, a company revolutionizing internet billing processes. SPC's approach combines financial investment with a strong community ethos, offering operational expertise and mentorship to help founders achieve their vision. This community-driven model has produced successful exits like Admin AI and QueryAI.

Southern Cross Venture Partners (SXVP) is an Australian venture capital firm founded in 2006 and headquartered in Sydney, with a global footprint spanning Australia, the United States, and Asia, where it partners with China's SBCVC. The firm was launched by five veteran venture capitalists -- Bill Bartee, Bob Christiansen, Gareth Dando, John Scull, and Larry Marshall -- each with direct operating experience, with the collective mission of helping Australian technology entrepreneurs scale globally. SXVP leads rounds and invests across seed, early, and growth stages with typical initial checks of $2 million to $5 million and the capacity to deploy substantially more in follow-on rounds. The firm's investment thesis spans two broad verticals: core technology -- covering software, internet applications, big data, digital commerce and media, telecommunications, semiconductors, medical devices, security, and advanced materials -- and renewable energy and resources, for which SXVP runs a dedicated REVC (Renewable Energy Venture Capital) Fund. Across its history SXVP has made 59 disclosed investments and recorded 13 acquisitions. Notable exits include Mocana in cybersecurity, Quantenna Communications in semiconductors (acquired by ON Semiconductor), Sunverge Energy (exited August 2024), and Bigtincan -- the ASX-listed mobile sales enablement platform acquired by Vector Capital in April 2025. SXVP's founder team brings a combination of Australian ecosystem credibility and US venture experience, enabling the firm to serve as a genuine bridge between the two markets. Its dedicated cleantech fund alongside the core technology vehicle makes SXVP one of the few Australian VCs with structured coverage across both deep technology and the energy transition.

Sovereign's Capital, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a private equity and venture capital firm that focuses on investments in companies led by faith-driven teams. The firm invests in a variety of sectors including healthcare, information technology, and consumer products. They operate with a mission to generate outsized returns while making a positive impact. Their investment strategy is divided into five main areas: direct investments in profitable lower middle market companies, early-stage technology companies, publicly-traded companies, domestic real estate, and fund of funds investments. They also offer business consulting services to mature companies preparing for ownership and leadership transitions. Notable investments by Sovereign's Capital include Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus, a leading refurbisher and reseller of fire apparatus, and AM Technical Solutions, a specialty contractor providing clean room services for the semiconductor and life sciences industries. Sovereign's Capital has demonstrated flexibility in their investment approach, often structuring extended hold periods to promote long-term value creation and focusing on operational improvements, smart organic growth, and acquisition opportunities.

SP Ventures is a Brazilian venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in agritech and food technology across Latin America. Founded in 2007 and based in São Paulo, SP Ventures is a leader in supporting innovative solutions for agriculture, focusing on precision farming, agri-fintech, supply chain logistics, and sustainability. Its portfolio includes notable investments like Agrosmart, an IoT platform for precision farming, InCeres, a soil management system, and Pink Farms, the first vertical urban farm in Latin America. These startups develop technologies that enhance agricultural productivity while addressing global challenges like food security and sustainability. SP Ventures manages the AgVentures II fund, which has attracted significant backing from global leaders such as BASF and Syngenta. The fund focuses on pioneering technologies in agriculture, including biological inputs, digital financial services for farmers, and food safety innovations. The firm also aims to expand its reach across Latin America, with investments in countries like Argentina, Chile, and Mexico. Led by co-founder Francisco Jardim, SP Ventures takes a hands-on approach to nurturing startups, offering strategic support to scale businesses and drive sustainable growth. The firm believes agritech can play a transformative role in Latin America's economic and environmental future, actively seeking out entrepreneurs whose solutions align with this vision.

Space Capital is a New York-based venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments within the space economy. Founded by Chad Anderson in 2012, the firm focuses on space technology stacks such as GPS, geospatial intelligence (GEOINT), and satellite communications (SatCom). These technologies serve as the backbone for industries across the globe, enabling innovations in sectors such as logistics, agriculture, and defense. The firm manages over $100 million in assets and operates with a deep understanding of the space sector. Their investment strategy emphasizes long-term potential, with a preference for startups that leverage space-based data and hardware to create transformative applications. Notable investments include companies like Made In Space and NanoRacks, which focus on space infrastructure and services. Space Capital is also known for its disciplined, thesis-driven approach to investing. The firm is actively involved in shaping the space ecosystem through its platforms like Space Angels, which connects investors with promising space startups, and Space Talent, a career platform designed to support the growing demand for skilled professionals in space and tech. By positioning itself as a leader in the space economy, Space Capital aims to capture the immense opportunities that will define the future of global industries​.

Space VC is a venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas, focused on investing in pre-seed frontier technology startups. Founded in 2021 by Jonathan Lacoste, the firm emphasizes the importance of technologies such as space tech, defense tech, AI, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity. Space VC aims to support companies that address urgent and significant challenges, contributing to national security, economic resilience, and global leadership. The firm typically invests between $500,000 and $1 million per company, partnering with founders at the earliest stages of their ventures. Space VC's portfolio includes companies like True Anomaly, Loft Orbital, and SpaceX, which are involved in sectors ranging from aerospace and defense to AI and industrial tech. Space VC’s strategy is to build a concentrated portfolio of world-class founders and focus on sectors with urgent market needs and near-term commercialization potential. They avoid deep R&D cycles, preferring startups with viable product roadmaps and existing customer demand​.

Spark Capital is a prominent venture capital firm with a focus on investing in groundbreaking companies across sectors like consumer internet, media, software, and fintech. Founded in 2005, the firm has backed high-profile startups such as Twitter, Discord, and Cruise, leading early-stage rounds that propelled these companies to massive success. Spark’s portfolio also includes Postmates, which was acquired by Uber, and Harmonix, known for the popular "Rock Band" game franchise. The firm typically invests across all stages, from seed to growth, with a particular focus on companies that aim to disrupt existing markets. Spark's team members, such as co-founder Bijan Sabet, emphasize investing in founders who take big chances and challenge the status quo. The firm is highly selective, backing visionary entrepreneurs with innovative products that have the potential to reshape industries​. Geographically, Spark’s investments span the globe, with a presence in key markets like the U.S. and Europe. Their flexible and founder-first approach has positioned them as trusted partners for startups like Wayfair and Instawork.

SparkLabs Global Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital fund founded in 2013, focusing on early-stage investments in companies worldwide. The firm is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, but its global footprint extends to key markets across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. SparkLabs backs innovative companies in industries such as SaaS, fintech, healthcare, gaming, IoT, education, and cybersecurity. The firm’s investment strategy centers on identifying exceptional entrepreneurs and helping them scale their businesses globally, offering not only financial support but also mentorship and access to a broad network of industry leaders. Some of the notable portfolio companies backed by SparkLabs Global Ventures include MangoPlate, WeRide, and Shift, demonstrating the firm's diverse reach across various sectors and geographies. SparkLabs emphasizes its unique approach to seed-stage investments by focusing on companies with the potential to define new categories and by supporting their growth into global markets. Led by a team of seasoned investors and operators, including co-founders Frank Meehan, Bernard Moon, and Jimmy Kim, SparkLabs Global Ventures combines deep industry expertise with a commitment to nurturing long-term relationships with its portfolio companies. Through their global accelerator programs and seed investments, SparkLabs has built a strong reputation for fostering innovation and helping startups achieve meaningful scale.

Sparkland Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley, focused on funding startups at the frontier of technology. Founded with a strong connection to Asia, the firm leverages its deep networks and resources to help entrepreneurs expand in both the U.S. and Asian markets. Sparkland Capital primarily invests in emerging technologies such as cybersecurity, blockchain, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and robotics. The firm also has a strong focus on enterprise services and next-generation consumer products. Sparkland typically invests in Seed to Series A rounds, with check sizes ranging from $100K to $5M, targeting visionary entrepreneurs who aim to reimagine their industries. The firm's portfolio includes a range of innovative startups, such as Trustlook, a mobile security suite; Zeplin, a collaboration tool for designers and developers; and 8th Wall, a leading platform for augmented reality app development. With a strong international presence, Sparkland Capital is well-positioned to support global expansion for its portfolio companies, providing them with strategic advice, market intelligence, and local relationships, particularly in Asia. The firm has already facilitated several successful exits, including SourceDNA and Silk Labs, underscoring its ability to identify and nurture high-potential companies in cutting-edge fields.

Specialist VC is a prominent venture capital firm based in the Baltics, targeting early-stage startups from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Ukraine, and Belarus. With over 45 investments, their portfolio includes standout companies like Bolt, Veriff, and Starship. Specialist VC primarily invests in B2B, SaaS, fintech, software-enabled hardware, Web3, and deep tech sectors, with initial ticket sizes ranging from €250k to €3 million. Geographically focused on the Baltics and extending to Finland, Ukraine, and Belarus, Specialist VC employs a dual strategy fund, blending traditional venture capital with secondary transactions, a first in the region. This approach offers liquidity to founders and early investors, fostering ecosystem growth. Founded by Riivo Anton and Gerri Kodres, Specialist VC values a straightforward, supportive relationship with founders. They review numerous startups but select only a few, focusing on those with extraordinary potential. The team is known for its deep regional network and extensive experience, offering robust support and strategic guidance to their portfolio companies. Specialist VC's leadership includes experienced professionals like Riivo Anton, a serial entrepreneur with over fifty investments, and Gerri Kodres, renowned for his work in early-stage tech investments and recognized as "Investor of the Year" in Estonia. Their comprehensive support ranges from strategy and fundraising to connecting startups with a wide array of industry specialists and investors, ensuring their portfolio companies have the resources to scale successfully.

Speedinvest, headquartered in Vienna, is a leading early-stage venture capital firm with more than €1 billion in assets under management. The firm focuses on pre-seed, seed, and early-stage investments across Europe. Speedinvest's portfolio includes notable companies like Bitpanda, Wefox, GoStudent, and TWAICE, reflecting their diverse investment focus spanning sectors such as fintech, deep tech, health tech, climate tech, and SaaS. Speedinvest operates six sector-focused teams: Deep Tech, Fintech, Health & TechBio, Climate Tech & Industrial Tech, Marketplaces & Consumer, and SaaS & Infrastructure. This specialized approach allows them to provide targeted support and resources to startups, helping them scale effectively​​. Since its inception in 2011, Speedinvest has made 497 investments and has seen 15 exits. Their investment strategy emphasizes hands-on support and leveraging their extensive network of industry experts, founders, and operational partners to foster the growth of their portfolio companies. Some recent investments include startups like Sylvera, Liefergrün, and Seqera Labs, all of which are making significant strides in their respective fields.

Spero Ventures, founded in 2018 and based in Burlingame, California, is a venture capital firm that invests in mission-driven technology companies. Their primary focus areas include wellbeing, sustainability, and sectors related to learning, work, and play. The firm is known for leading or co-leading investment rounds ranging from $3 million to $10 million, typically providing initial checks between $2 million and $4 million with reserves for follow-on investments. Notable investments by Spero Ventures include companies such as Tiny Health, Huckleberry, Tortuga AgTech, and Skillshare. They have made 64 investments to date and achieved several successful exits, including companies like Nana, Jopwell, and INDUS.AI. The leadership team consists of experienced investors like Shripriya Mahesh, Andrew Parker, and Sara Eshelman, all of whom have backgrounds in landmark companies such as eBay and Tesla. Spero Ventures emphasizes backing determined founders who are building technology solutions to create a hopeful future. Their investment strategy is conviction-based, focusing on long-term growth and impact.

SphitiCap is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2022 and based in Noida, India. With a sector-agnostic approach, SphitiCap focuses on startups operating in diverse industries such as fintech, cleantech, agritech, SaaS, proptech, logistics, and space tech. The fund is particularly interested in fostering growth and impact-driven enterprises, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. SphitiCap’s maiden venture fund, launched with an ambitious $500 million target, is designed to back Indian startups from seed stage to Series A. The fund’s goal is to decentralize growth and tap into promising ventures from India’s tier II and III cities, often overlooked in the typical investment landscape. Some of its notable investments include PayVeda, a fintech startup focused on financial inclusion in rural India, and ClearDekho, an eyewear brand. Co-founded by Mayank Mehra and Pallav Kumar Singh, the firm emphasizes building a strong ecosystem around its portfolio companies, offering not only capital but also strategic support to accelerate their growth. SphitiCap’s pipeline includes a mix of industries with a goal to invest in up to 100 startups over the coming years, optimizing returns and creating meaningful impact across India’s tech ecosystem​.

Spiral Ventures is a venture capital firm headquartered in Singapore, with a focus on investing in early-stage startups across Southeast Asia and India. The firm, which was founded in 2017 after rebranding from IMJ Investment Partners, targets sectors such as fintech, logistics, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and the sharing economy. Their investments prioritize companies that address social needs and drive innovation in rapidly growing markets like Southeast Asia and India. Notable investments include PolicyStreet, a fintech company advancing inclusive insurance in Southeast Asia, SwipeRx, which connects pharmacies across Southeast Asia, and Dagangan, a digital FMCG distribution platform in Indonesia. Spiral Ventures offers more than just capital; they foster collaboration between startups and larger corporations, providing market access and strategic guidance to help scale their portfolio companies​. With a diverse team spanning Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and India, Spiral Ventures is well-positioned to tap into local markets and support companies in navigating these dynamic ecosystems. Their mission is to invest in startups that can deliver both financial returns and significant social impact, aligning with the exponential growth expected in the region​.

Wellborn Ventures was a Tel Aviv-based Israeli venture capital firm founded in 2014 by Aviv Refuah and Tzvika Sobel that focused on seed and early-stage Israeli startups across information technology, software, big data, digital media, cybersecurity, clean technology, mobile and wireless applications. The firm operated as a sub-organization within Spring Ventures, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange-listed internet holding group led by Aviv Refuah that also owns Journey Ventures, a multi-stage travel-tech specialist; in November 2017 Spring Ventures formalized its support by acquiring a 19% stake in Wellborn Ventures for $2.1 million. Typical check sizes were $1M to $5M, with a coaching-and-strategic-support approach designed to convert visionary founder ideas into mature global brands, generally as a co-investor. The portfolio of disclosed investments includes Vi in digital health, Bugatone in audio tech, SecuredTouch in mobile gesture-based authentication, acquired for $11.53M, Apester in interactive content, its latest exit in January 2022, CiValue, Shopic in retail tech, Upsolver, SQL data pipelines for cloud data lakes acquired for $42.5M, Nano Dimension in 3D additive manufacturing for electronics, public at one point at a $1.6B valuation, and vBrand. Overall, Wellborn Ventures' portfolio produced one IPO and five acquisitions. The fund formally ceased operations on February 7, 2022, with new investing activity rolling into parent Spring Ventures going forward. During its active years, Wellborn Ventures backed seed and early-stage Israeli founders across IT, cybersecurity, digital media and cleantech, pairing capital with coaching and strategic support to help them build global brands.

SpringTide Ventures is an influential early-stage venture capital firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in HealthTech investments. With a strategic focus on digital health, medical devices, life sciences, and tech-enabled care delivery, the firm recently closed its second fund at $65 million, bringing its total assets under management to over $100 million. SpringTide Ventures has a history of backing groundbreaking companies like GreatExpectations.io, a leader in data quality tooling; Pathology Watch, an AI-powered dermatopathology platform; Debut Biotech, a pioneer in cell-free biomanufacturing; and OpenLoop, an end-to-end telemedicine enablement company. These investments highlight SpringTide's commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to enhance patient care and improve health outcomes. Founded by Austin Walters, the firm emphasizes a hands-on approach, working closely with its portfolio companies to navigate growth stages and achieve significant market impact. SpringTide Ventures invests primarily in seed and Series A rounds, focusing on startups that address critical healthcare needs with innovative solutions.

SpringTime Ventures, established in 2016 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, focuses on seed-stage investments in high-growth technology startups within the USA. The firm particularly targets sectors like healthcare, fintech, logistics, and marketplaces. SpringTime Ventures has a portfolio that includes companies such as Bonside, which offers financing solutions tailored for brick-and-mortar businesses; Credo Health, a healthcare data company; and BlueCargo, which optimizes the transportation of shipping containers. They have made 54 investments and achieved notable exits, including TrueCoach and Shotzr. The firm is led by Managing Partners Matt Blomstedt and Rich Maloy, along with partners like Allyson Plosko and Rick Patch. They emphasize a people-focused approach, supporting founders with domain expertise who are developing transformative technologies. SpringTime Ventures typically writes initial checks ranging from $400,000 to $600,000, and they actively support their portfolio companies in scaling and achieving growth milestones.

Sprint VC stands out by offering a unique approach to angel investing with its Angel SIP model, blending the advantages of being both an active angel investor and a passive limited partner. Sprint focuses on early-stage companies, especially in the seed and pre-series A stages, and invests across diverse industries like tech, fintech, and consumer goods. The fund operates primarily in India but is open to global investors, with a growing network of over 595 investors across seven countries. Sprint is known for its selective investment process, curating fewer than 2.5% of startups for its portfolio. They prioritize startups with strong product-market fit, large market potential, and early revenue generation. Their investment strategy includes co-investing at least 10% in every deal, ensuring alignment between fund managers and investors. Sprint’s average investment horizon ranges from 4-5 years in early-stage startups, aiming for 10X returns in higher-risk deals. With a 12% hurdle rate, it only charges profit share after surpassing this benchmark, demonstrating a high-performance-driven model. The leadership, including Salil Chakrabarty, brings deep domain expertise, favoring founders who show strong execution and scalability potential. For startups, Sprint values transparent financials and clear market traction, preferring to co-invest alongside well-regarded lead investors. Entrepreneurs can approach them through their platform, which allows interaction with Sprint’s experienced team, known for its rigorous due diligence and strong mentorship network.

SRMG Ventures is a media-focused venture capital fund that backs innovative companies across content creation, ad-tech, immersive entertainment, and digital media tools. Based in Saudi Arabia, they primarily invest in the MENA region but are open to global opportunities. Their portfolio features notable companies like Telfaz11, a leading Saudi media studio, 360Vuz, an immersive video platform, and Anghami, the top music streaming service in the Arab world. SRMG Ventures primarily targets early-stage investments, ranging from seed to Series B, with a flexible approach towards later rounds when aligned with their vision. Their investment strategy revolves around companies showing clear product-market fit and solid early traction. They provide significant follow-on capital, ensuring their portfolio companies have long-term growth potential. The fund offers a collaborative and founder-friendly approach, sometimes leading investment rounds, while other times co-investing with like-minded partners. They emphasize providing both financial support and deep industry expertise, leveraging their 50-year legacy in the media industry. Startups can expect strategic mentorship, connections to key media players, and opportunities for business development through SRMG's vast network. Led by a team with significant media and tech expertise, SRMG Ventures is actively shaping the future of the media landscape, with a focus on emerging trends in immersive tech, generative AI, and content monetization.

Stage Venture Partners, founded in 2015, is a pre-seed and seed stage venture capital firm focusing on emerging software technologies for business-to-business markets. They invest in enterprise software startups that drive significant advancements in their respective fields. The firm is known for being one of the first institutional investors in many of its portfolio companies and for its commitment to supporting founders who are tackling hard problems and creating impactful solutions. Notable investments include companies like Epsilon3, which builds mission management software for the space industry, and GrayMatter Robotics, which automates labor-intensive industrial surface treatment tasks using advanced robotics​. Their portfolio is diverse, encompassing sectors from e-commerce to government technology, and spanning geographies from St. Louis to Seattle​. Stage Venture Partners is led by Alex Rubalcava, the founder and managing partner, who has a long-standing career in venture capital and has been recognized as one of the top VCs in Los Angeles​. The firm is highly regarded for its unique expertise and alignment with the daring visions of its portfolio companies, providing not just capital but also strategic support and industry connections to help these companies scale effectively.

StageOne Ventures, headquartered in Herzliya Pituach, Israel, is a premier venture capital firm dedicated to backing early-stage B2B deep tech startups with a focus on Israeli founders. Founded over two decades ago, StageOne has a robust portfolio with notable investments in companies such as Guardium, Epsagon, and Silverfort. Their commitment is rooted in identifying and nurturing visionary founders who can disrupt and redefine enterprise markets globally. The firm emphasizes early investments, typically writing initial checks ranging from $0.5M to $3M, with substantial resources reserved for follow-on rounds. StageOne Ventures leverages its extensive experience and global networks to provide meaningful mentorship and support to its portfolio companies, helping them scale effectively. StageOne’s investment strategy revolves around three core pillars: Israeli founders, early-stage investments, and deep technology. Their approach is characterized by a "people first" philosophy, prioritizing the qualities of the entrepreneurial team, the potential for market disruption, and the innovation of the product itself. Key team members include the founding partners Yuval Cohen and Tal Slobodkin, who bring decades of experience in venture capital and deep tech industries. The firm maintains a strong presence in the Israeli tech ecosystem, leveraging the country’s unique blend of academic excellence, defense-related R&D, and multinational corporate presence to foster innovation and growth. For startups seeking investment, StageOne Ventures is best approached through direct networking or industry events, aligning their pitch with the firm’s focus on transformative enterprise solutions​.

Star Tech Ventures is a Milan, Italy-based venture capital firm founded in 2021 and dedicated to early-stage investments in aerospace, space, defense, and dual-use technologies across Europe and Israel. The firm's flagship vehicle -- Star Tech Ventures Aerospace and Security -- was a 100 million euro early-stage fund managed by Italian asset manager Add Value SGR, making it one of the few dedicated institutional aerospace and defense VC platforms in Southern Europe. The thesis centered on backing European companies building technologies that strengthen European sovereignty, aerospace innovation, and defense capability, with dual-use as an explicit investment criterion. On 30 January 2025 Star Tech Ventures Aerospace and Security merged with Mountain Partners to create Mountain X -- positioned as the largest European dual-use defense and aerospace venture capital fund. Mountain X operates under the brand mountainx.vc, with General Partner Novica Mrdovic-Vianello leading the Milan office. Mountain X's stated mission is to build Europe's technological advantage to deter aggression and protect European sovereignty and freedom. Prior to the merger, Star Tech Ventures had a limited publicly disclosed portfolio, consistent with its early-stage pre-deployment phase and recent establishment date. All ongoing investment activity has moved to the Mountain X umbrella. The merger reflects a broader consolidation trend in European defense VC: by combining with Mountain Partners, the combined entity gains scale, cross-border deal flow, and the institutional credibility to attract the larger LP commitments that purpose-built defense technology funds require. Star Tech Ventures' contribution is its Southern European network and its established Italian regulatory and government relationships in the aerospace and dual-use sectors.

Starburst Ventures is the US-based venture capital arm of Starburst, the global aerospace and defense innovation platform founded in 2012 by Francois Chopard. The dedicated Starburst Ventures fund was formally launched in 2021 and is headquartered in Los Angeles. The wider Starburst platform combines three complementary activities -- a global startup accelerator, a specialized strategy-consulting practice, and venture capital -- operating from offices in Los Angeles, Paris, Munich, Singapore, Seoul, Tel Aviv, and Madrid, and positions itself as the first venture capital fund dedicated exclusively to aviation, space, and defense. The Ventures fund focuses on pre-seed and seed rounds, backing deep-tech and applied-tech companies that can create measurable impact in aerospace and adjacent sectors. The team is led by founder and General Partner Francois Chopard -- an ex-Airbus engineer and former researcher at the US Air Force Research Laboratory with 20-plus years in aerospace and defense strategy and entrepreneurship -- alongside investor Benjamin Zeitoun and advisors including Natalya Bailey (founder of Accion Systems) and Pierre Lionnet (space economics). Alongside its US fund, Starburst partnered with Audacia to launch Expansion Ventures, a 300 million euro French and European aerospace and defense fund. The wider Starburst platform has touched 189 companies, producing 1 unicorn, 1 IPO, and 11 acquisitions including exits in Loft Orbital, Momentus Space, and Skyloom. The Ventures fund itself has made 11 disclosed investments including AeroCloud, Remondo, Outpost (sustainable satellite and Earth return, $7.1 million seed), and Strong Compute ($7.8 million seed). The most recent investment is Alta Ares in May 2025. Starburst's three-part platform -- accelerator, consulting, and capital -- creates a continuous pipeline of aerospace and defense founders who have already been validated by the firm's other programmes before they become fund investments.

Starquest Capital is a prominent French venture capital firm that specializes in fostering innovation in deep tech and green tech sectors. Their portfolio includes notable investments such as Caeli Energie, which offers groundbreaking green air-conditioning solutions, and DNA Gensee, a company providing DNA-proof ingredient authentication for the food and cosmetic industries. The firm is committed to addressing global challenges, focusing on industries like cleantech, industry 4.0, and cybersecurity. Geographically, Starquest Capital primarily invests in European startups, with a significant emphasis on France. Their investment strategy revolves around identifying disruptive technologies that can generate significant societal and environmental impacts. They typically invest in early to growth-stage companies, with an average check size ranging from €3 to €10 million, often leading the investment rounds. Starquest's team is spearheaded by experienced professionals, including founding partner and CEO Arnaud Delattre, and investment director Chloé Cohen-Aknine, who brings a wealth of experience from her time at Idinvest. Their approach combines strategic vision and hands-on operational support to help entrepreneurs scale their ventures effectively. Startups seeking investment from Starquest are encouraged to approach the firm with a clear demonstration of technological innovation and potential for high impact. The firm values detailed business models that align with their mission to combat climate change and promote sustainability. Starquest Capital is recognized for its active engagement with portfolio companies, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and resources to drive growth and success.

Starship Ventures, founded in 2017 and based in San Francisco, focuses on investing in cutting-edge "deep tech" companies that aim to solve some of humanity's biggest challenges. The firm backs early-stage startups from Seed to Series B, with a particular emphasis on sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), advanced materials, and frontier technologies like CRISPR, 3D printing, and energy innovations. Starship Ventures supports contrarian founders who are building transformative technologies, often described as turning "science fiction into reality." Their portfolio includes innovative companies like BRINC Drones, which develops tactical UAVs, Atmos, which is reinventing custom homebuilding, and Pipedream Labs, which focuses on creating an underground hyperlogistics delivery system. The fund aims to support groundbreaking advancements in fields like sustainable agriculture, AI-powered financial solutions, and even space technologies​. Led by General Partner Sean Hoge, Starship Ventures actively empowers founders by offering strategic support and resources that extend beyond capital, helping to bring visionary ideas to life.

Start Ventures is a Lisbon-based early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2016 as the venture arm of Banco de Investimento Global (BiG), one of Portugal's established investment banks. Operating globally with a strong European footprint, the firm focuses on B2B startups innovating within the financial services ecosystem -- specifically fintech, insurtech, regtech, and cybersecurity. Its structural backing by a licensed bank gives portfolio companies direct access to banking infrastructure, regulated-industry relationships, and enterprise sales expertise that few independent VCs can offer. Start Ventures concentrates on seed and Series A rounds, deploying checks in the $500,000 to $3 million range into B2B software companies navigating regulated industries. Across 13 disclosed investments, the firm has backed companies including Coverflex, an employee benefits platform; Countingup, a UK small-business bank; Zango, a regtech and compliance specialist; Ethiack, a Portuguese cybersecurity company; and WeatherPromise, a parametric weather insurance platform for the hospitality and leisure sector -- the firm's most recent investment, made in December 2025. The firm's philosophy reflects its banking parentage: patient, long-cycle engagement with founders building regulated B2B software, rather than a push for rapid growth at the expense of compliance and commercial durability. Partner Joao Freire de Andrade leads the investment team alongside analysts who bring specialist depth in fintech infrastructure and ESG. Start Ventures views its bank-backed position not as a constraint but as a competitive advantage -- one that opens doors for portfolio companies in enterprise procurement, regulatory approval processes, and strategic partnership development across the European financial services landscape.