Transportation & Mobility VC Funds

The UCL Technology Fund (UCLTF) is a venture capital fund established in 2016 to commercialize cutting-edge research originating from University College London (UCL). Managed in partnership with AlbionVC and UCL Business, the fund focuses on investing in intellectual property arising from UCL's research in life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. UCLTF plays a pivotal role in taking groundbreaking technologies from early-stage proof of concept through to commercialization, either via licensing or by forming spinout companies. With an emphasis on life sciences, the fund supports pioneering projects in areas such as gene therapy, oncology, and advanced materials. Notable investments include Orchard Therapeutics, a spinout specializing in rare disease gene therapies, and Bloomsbury AI, which developed natural language processing technology before being acquired by Facebook in 2018. The fund's portfolio is diverse, encompassing companies tackling global challenges like clean energy through firms such as Carbon Re, which is focused on decarbonizing heavy industries​. The fund’s mission is not only to support UCL's world-class academic research but also to deliver societal impact and substantial commercial returns. The first fund has seen impressive successes, including two Nasdaq IPOs and raising over £1 billion in external funding across its portfolio. Recently, UCLTF closed its second fund at £100 million, further strengthening its ability to back high-impact innovations in biotech, healthcare, and AI.

Ultra Capital is a venture capital firm accelerating the transition to sustainable infrastructure by providing equity and growth capital to businesses with a track record of deploying proven solutions. The fund focuses on renewable energy, distributed generation, battery storage, EV charging, and fleet electrification. Ultra Capital invests in execution-oriented companies, filling a market gap for management teams that deliver scalable, impactful solutions. Their notable investments include EnviroSpark, which provides EV charging infrastructure, Aspen Power’s distributed solar solutions, and Palladium Energy, a solar and storage development firm. Ultra Capital's investments generally range below $50 million, with a hands-on approach to ensure long-term success. The team brings extensive operational experience, having previously worked as developers, operators, and financiers of energy and infrastructure assets. The firm is based in Philadelphia, and its team, led by key partners such as Kristian Hanelt, Tom Ferraro, and Mike Reynolds, has a collective 40 years of expertise in sustainable infrastructure finance and development. They provide capital not only for growth but also for specific asset deployment, ensuring that companies in their portfolio receive comprehensive support to scale. Entrepreneurs seeking investment from Ultra Capital should have a demonstrated ability to deploy practical, clean-tech solutions at scale. The firm values strong, execution-oriented management teams and offers strategic guidance and financial backing to take companies through key growth stages, partnering closely with founders to access deeper capital pools and strategic partnerships.

Ulu Ventures, based in Palo Alto, is a leading seed-stage venture capital firm with strong ties to Stanford and Silicon Valley. They focus on funding diverse entrepreneurial teams, particularly those led by women and minority founders. Ulu Ventures has made over 200 investments, with notable exits including Proterra, Taulia, and Blue River Technology​​. Their investment strategy is data-driven, aiming to reduce cognitive biases and systematically identify key drivers of risk and uncertainty. They invest in sectors such as enterprise IT, EdTech, FinTech, healthcare, and sustainability​ (Ulu Ventures)​. With an emphasis on diversity, 76% of their funded companies have diverse founders​​. The firm is co-founded by Miriam Rivera and Clint Korver, who bring extensive experience in entrepreneurship and venture capital. Ulu Ventures is recognized for its thoughtful and rigorous approach to venture funding, which has resulted in a portfolio that includes companies like Guild Education, Genesis Therapeutics, and Lex Machina​

Uncommon Capital, founded in 2014, is a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments from pre-seed to Series A rounds. The firm is based in San Francisco and has a strong emphasis on software companies, particularly in sectors like B2B SaaS, marketplaces, consumer non-social, developer tools, and fintech. Uncommon Capital has a diverse portfolio with notable investments in companies such as Razorpay, a leading payment processing solution provider; Talkdesk, a cloud-based contact center software; and Function of Beauty, an internet-first brand offering customized skincare and haircare products. The firm also boasts investments in emerging companies like Morf Health, a health tech startup, and Antares Industries, focusing on environmental technology. The firm is led by experienced partners, including Tikhon Bernstam, co-founder of Scribd and Parse, and Jamie Quint, a seasoned product growth practitioner who has consulted for companies like Twitch, Everlane, and Substack​. Uncommon Capital distinguishes itself by providing hands-on operational support to its portfolio companies, helping them with product development, data infrastructure, marketing strategies, and engineering hiring.

Uncorrelated Ventures, headquartered in San Francisco, specializes in early-stage investments in infrastructure software, decentralized finance, and fintech sectors. Founded by Salil Deshpande in 2019, the firm has a portfolio that includes companies like Tandem PV, HockeyStack, and Bodo.ai. They typically engage in Seed and Series A rounds, with an average check size of $17M. The fund is known for its hands-on approach, offering strategic support and leveraging a robust network to help startups scale. Uncorrelated Ventures values clear, innovative pitches that demonstrate significant market potential and technological advancement. Key team members include founder Salil Deshpande, a veteran in the venture capital space, and a dedicated team with diverse expertise in technology and investment management. Startups can approach Uncorrelated Ventures through their extensive network or direct outreach, emphasizing the unique aspects of their technology and market approach.

Underscore.VC, established in 2015, is a Boston-based venture capital firm dedicated to early-stage B2B software startups. With a strong emphasis on community, Underscore integrates a unique Core Community of experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders who actively support portfolio companies. This approach ensures founders receive comprehensive guidance and resources tailored to their specific needs​. Notable investments by Underscore.VC include companies such as Project44, Salsify, Slang, Soofa, and TetraScience, showcasing their focus on B2B fintech, vertical SaaS, and emerging technologies​. The firm primarily invests in pre-seed and seed rounds, typically leading these rounds and committing substantial support beyond just financial backing. Their strategy is rooted in building strong, collaborative relationships with founders, emphasizing a partnership approach rather than just a financial transaction. They value transparency, long-term vision, and active involvement in the companies they support. This philosophy is reflected in their careful selection process and active participation in the growth and scaling of their investments​. For startups looking to engage with Underscore.VC, it's beneficial to demonstrate a strong alignment with their community-driven values and a clear, innovative vision for their business model. Approaching them with a well-thought-out plan and readiness to leverage their extensive network can significantly enhance the chances of forming a successful partnership.

Union Labs, founded in 2018 and based in San Mateo, California, is a deep-tech venture capital firm focusing on pre-seed and seed-stage investments. Co-founded by Nate Williams and Chris Kim, Union Labs primarily invests in startups tackling big challenges across sectors like robotics, AI/ML, IoT, and smart infrastructure. The firm aims to solve complex global problems through innovative technology, often working directly with founders to de-risk the journey to product-market fit. Union Labs has made 28 investments, with notable companies like Pico MES, which develops factory operations software, and Urban Machine, focusing on forestry processing. The firm incubates many of its companies, having initially grown out of Kleiner Perkins with backing from Google Ventures, allowing it to offer both financial and hands-on operational support. This approach ensures that its startups benefit from Union Labs' extensive network and expertise. Union Labs is committed to advancing deep-tech solutions that contribute to a smarter, more connected world.

Union Square Ventures (USV), a venture capital firm based in New York City, focuses on investing in early-stage technology startups. Their investment philosophy is centered on finding companies at the edge of large markets being transformed by technological and societal pressures. USV looks for new behaviors and business models enabled by technology, rapid experimentation, and broadening access to resources and opportunities. USV’s portfolio includes a range of notable companies such as Twitter, Etsy, MongoDB, and Twilio. They have invested across various sectors including social media, marketplaces, developer tools, health, fintech, web3, and climate tech. Their approach involves maintaining relatively small fund sizes and collaborating closely as a team to make investment decisions and support portfolio companies.

Union Tech Ventures is the technology investment arm of the Union Group, a family-owned Israeli holding company, and was founded in 2016 with headquarters in Tel Aviv. The firm is on a mission to discover what comes next in the digital disruption of traditional industries, partnering with entrepreneurs who have long-term vision and the ambition to build category-leading companies. It typically backs Israeli and Israeli-related founders, concentrating on mobility and retail technology while ranging more broadly across enterprise software, hardware, defense-tech and digital health. Union Tech Ventures invests primarily at the growth stages, most actively Series B and C, though it engages from Series A through to pre-IPO, and aims to grow alongside its portfolio companies over the long term, generally as a co-investor; its rounds have averaged roughly $12.5 million at Series A, $34 million at Series B, $130 million at Series C and $62.5 million at Series D. A key differentiator is the operational expertise, network and market insight it draws from the Union Group's businesses, which include Toyota and Geely in automotive, H&M and Daiso in retail, a partnership in Super-Pharm and Dyson, and real estate and infrastructure operations. The firm has participated in around 47 investment rounds across roughly 13 companies, including one unicorn, with notable holdings such as Tactile Mobility, Dynamic Yield, Quantum Machines, Triple Whale, Guardio, Candivore, XTEND and Eleos Health, its most recent disclosed deal being Eleos Health's Series C in January 2025. By drawing on the Union Group's industrial businesses, Union Tech Ventures backs Israeli founders disrupting traditional industries.

UNIQA Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of UNIQA Insurance Group AG, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Vienna, Austria. It is a pioneer of corporate-backed venture capital in Central and Eastern Europe and one of the most active startup investors in the region. The fund concentrates on the Future of Health, Mobility, Intelligent Home and Fintech/InsurTech, alongside enabling technologies such as IoT, blockchain and machine learning and AI, seeking synergistic capabilities such as telematics and digital health that can strengthen the wider UNIQA Group. UNIQA Ventures backs companies in the late-seed and early-growth stage, with its sweet spot around Series A and Series B; it typically writes tickets of EUR 0.5 million to EUR 5 million and looks for startups that have found product-market fit and have recurring revenues of roughly EUR 1 million annually, generally as a co-investor. Having doubled its growth capital, the fund commands an investment pipeline of around EUR 150 million, with about half earmarked for CEE startups as it hunts for the next regional unicorn after the likes of UiPath, Rohlik and Bolt. The portfolio spans roughly 52 companies and has produced one unicorn, the digital-assets platform Bitpanda, plus eight acquisitions including Paris-based home insurer Luko and business-data provider kompany; its most recent disclosed portfolio exit was the German digital-health platform doctorly in June 2025. The firm is led by founder, CEO and Managing Partner Andreas Nemeth. By pairing insurer-backed capital with a clear thematic focus, UNIQA Ventures is a leading CEE corporate venture investor.

E14 Fund is an MIT-affiliated venture capital firm focused on supporting deep-tech startups emerging from the MIT community. Established in 2013 and rooted in the MIT Media Lab, the fund specializes in companies that are addressing critical global challenges through breakthrough science and engineering. E14 Fund invests in early-stage startups, typically from pre-seed to Series A, with a focus on industries such as robotics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and synthetic biology. Some notable investments include Formlabs, a leader in 3D printing technology, and Overjet, a pioneer in AI-powered dental care solutions. The fund is more than just a capital provider; it acts as a strategic partner, helping founders transition from academic research to building scalable businesses. E14 leverages the vast MIT network to connect entrepreneurs with industry leaders, mentors, and technical resources that can help accelerate their growth. A significant portion of the firm’s profits is reinvested into MIT, highlighting its commitment to fostering long-term innovation within the university ecosystem. Led by managing partners Calvin Chin and Habib Haddad, E14 Fund works closely with founders to address both scientific and business challenges, providing hands-on support throughout their journey. The fund’s portfolio companies typically possess unique intellectual property and a clear path to market dominance, reflecting E14’s focus on ventures with transformative potential. By supporting startups from their earliest stages, E14 Fund plays a crucial role in translating groundbreaking MIT research into impactful, market-ready technologies.

Unpopular Ventures is a venture capital firm founded by Peter Livingston, focusing on early-stage tech startups that are often overlooked by mainstream investors. They have invested in over 300 startups globally, with a portfolio spanning various industries and regions. Notable investments include Jeeves, a global business banking platform, Farcana, a battle royale shooter game, and Foundation Devices, developers of Bitcoin-centric tools. The firm's strategy is to find and invest in unconventional opportunities that have the potential for significant impact and growth. They emphasize global investments, particularly in emerging markets, driven by Livingston's own experience living and working around the world. This global perspective allows them to identify and support startups that are off the beaten path but have strong growth potential​. Unpopular Ventures operates both as a syndicate and a rolling fund on AngelList, providing flexible investment options to their backers. The firm's unique approach and diverse portfolio have made it a significant player in the venture capital landscape, despite its name.

Unshackled Ventures, founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting immigrant entrepreneurs. The firm focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in technology and innovation sectors. Unshackled Ventures aims to provide not only capital but also visa support, enabling immigrant founders to build successful companies in the U.S. Their investment portfolio includes a diverse array of companies. Notable investments include Lily AI, which uses AI to improve retail personalization, and Pod Foods, a B2B marketplace for food brands and retailers. Other significant companies in their portfolio are Plantible Foods, a sustainable food company, and Career Karma, a platform helping people find jobs through bootcamps. Unshackled Ventures has made a total of 86 investments and has seen 17 exits, highlighting their effectiveness in nurturing startups to maturity. Their approach involves investing at the very earliest stages, often at "day zero," to help founders navigate the complexities of building a business from the ground up. The team is led by co-founders Nitin Pachisia and Manan Mehta, who are committed to leveraging their own experiences as immigrants to support other immigrant founders. Their mission is to unlock the potential of these entrepreneurs by providing the necessary resources, guidance, and community support to achieve their visions.

Unusual Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm founded in 2018 by John Vrionis and Jyoti Bansal. They focus on providing hands-on support to early-stage startups in sectors like infrastructure software, SaaS, fintech, and consumer applications. Notable investments include Arctic Wolf Networks, Carta, Robinhood, Harness, and Vivun. Unusual Ventures differentiates itself by embedding experienced operators with startups, offering deep operational support in areas such as marketing, sales, and recruiting. This approach helps founders navigate the challenging early stages of their business, working closely to find product-market fit and build a strong foundation for future growth. Their engagement model is designed to provide comprehensive support, acting as interim executives to ensure startups have the resources they need to succeed. The firm also emphasizes diversity and social impact, partnering with institutions that are positive forces in education, healthcare, and the arts. This mission-driven approach ensures that the returns generated contribute to meaningful progress. With offices in Menlo Park, San Francisco, and Boston, Unusual Ventures has raised multiple funds, including their recent $485 million Fund III, bringing their total assets under management to over $1 billion. This commitment underscores their dedication to supporting seed-stage founders with unparalleled resources and expertise.

UOB Venture Management (UOBVM), a subsidiary of United Overseas Bank (UOB), was established in 1992 and focuses on venture capital and private equity investments, primarily in Southeast Asia, Greater China, and the United States. The firm targets growth-stage companies across various sectors, including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, consumer services, and digital economy ventures. UOBVM is known for integrating ESG principles and impact investing into its strategy, as demonstrated by its Asia Impact Investment Fund series. UOBVM has a significant portfolio with over 164 investments, and some notable exits include Gojek and Nanosys. They emphasize supporting businesses that contribute to sustainable development and innovation, particularly those improving livelihoods in the region. The firm manages several funds, including the ASEAN China Investment Fund and Asia Impact Investment Fund II, which raised over $60 million for initiatives in underserved markets​. The firm's leadership includes CEO Kian-Wee Seah, with key members like Mark Yeo and Jean Thoh, all based in Singapore, where the company is headquartered.

UP.Partners is a venture capital firm dedicated to transforming the mobility sector. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, UP.Partners focuses on investing in groundbreaking technologies that improve the movement of people and goods. The firm targets early-stage ventures in various mobility sectors, including air, land, sea, and space. The fund's strategy emphasizes investment in enabling technologies, such as software for precise positioning, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and sustainable aviation fuels. UP.Partners' notable investments include Skydio, a leader in flight autonomy; Beta Technologies, which develops eVTOL aircraft; and UnitX, a manufacturing quality assurance platform. UP.Partners manages a $230 million venture fund and collaborates with major corporations like Alaska Airlines, ARK Invest, and Woven Capital, the investment arm of Toyota's Woven Planet Group. The firm also hosts the annual UP.Summit, a pivotal event for the mobility community, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to drive innovation in transportation. The firm was co-founded by aviation and technology entrepreneurs Ben Marcus and Cyrus Sigari, along with Adam Grosser, a veteran investor with a strong background in climate-focused companies. They are supported by a team of experts, including Ally Warson and industry leaders like Brian McClendon and Eric Hirshberg. UP.Partners seeks out bold entrepreneurs with innovative ideas that can transform mobility, aiming to make transportation cleaner, faster, safer, and more cost-effective. The firm provides not only capital but also strategic partnerships and resources to help startups scale effectively.

Upfront Ventures, founded in 1996 and based in Santa Monica, California, is a prominent venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology investments. With over $2 billion in total funds raised, the firm has supported more than 200 companies across various sectors, including digital media, SaaS, consumer internet, and retail innovation. Notable investments include well-known companies like PayPal Credit, thredUP, Apeel Sciences, and Ulta. The firm's investment strategy typically involves leading seed and Series A rounds, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and resources to help startups scale. They have a strong presence in the Los Angeles tech ecosystem, contributing to the growth of Silicon Beach. Upfront Ventures is also known for hosting the annual Upfront Summit, a major tech conference in Los Angeles that gathers industry leaders and innovators. Led by managing partners Yves Sisteron and Mark Suster, Upfront Ventures combines extensive industry experience with a commitment to transparency and long-term partnership with entrepreneurs. Their investments are global, with a focus on leveraging their strategic location in Los Angeles to support the thriving local startup scene. For startups looking to engage with Upfront Ventures, a clear demonstration of innovative solutions and strong market potential is key. The firm values introductions through its network and prefers pitches that align with its investment focus and ethos​.

Upheaval Investments is a venture capital firm based in Chicago, focused on early-stage investments in disruptive technologies. The firm actively seeks out companies that are leveraging innovative solutions to tackle fundamental problems, particularly within the technology, healthcare, and industrial sectors. They invest globally, supporting startups from pre-seed through Series A rounds. The fund's approach is characterized by a commitment to partnering closely with entrepreneurs to accelerate growth and build impactful businesses. Their portfolio spans a diverse array of sectors, including AI, cleantech, robotics, and autonomous vehicles. Upheaval Investments is led by Riley Florsheim, who emphasizes a hands-on approach to fostering innovation and guiding companies from their earliest stages. While specific portfolio companies are not widely publicized, the firm's strategy revolves around identifying visionary founders with the potential to drive significant change across industries.

UpHonest Capital, founded in 2015 and based in Santa Clara, California, is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments. They invest across various sectors, including consumer, enterprise, deep technology, and web 3.0, supporting companies from Seed to Series A stages. The firm has built a substantial portfolio, investing in over 400 companies, with 28 unicorns and 23 exits via M&A or IPO. Notable investments from UpHonest Capital include companies such as Checkr, an AI-based platform for employee background verification; Hims & Hers, a telehealth service; Rippling, a human capital management software; and Instacart, a leading online grocery platform. Other significant investments include Turing AI, Golden, and Substack. UpHonest Capital is known for its sector-agnostic approach and its active support for portfolio companies, often co-investing with major firms like Sequoia, Accel, and Andreessen Horowitz. The firm also emphasizes building a vibrant ecosystem for entrepreneurs and investors through initiatives like the UpHonest Scouts and Beta Fellowship programs.

Upper90, founded in 2018, is a hybrid investment firm based in New York City that provides a mix of credit and equity to technology startups. The firm focuses on e-commerce, fintech, and supply chain finance, offering capital solutions that enable founders to scale their businesses with less dilution. Upper90 has managed over $2.2 billion across 43 portfolio companies, supporting ventures like Thrasio, Clearco, Octane, and Crusoe Energy​. The firm's investment strategy involves leading with credit and participating in equity, with initial credit facilities ranging from $5 million to $30 million, scaling up to $50 million as companies grow. Upper90 targets companies with predictable revenue or asset collateral, allowing them to finance growth efficiently while retaining more ownership​. Upper90's team, led by co-founder and CEO Billy Libby, prides itself on providing operational support and strategic advice to its portfolio companies, helping them navigate complex capital challenges and optimize their growth strategies​.

UPS Ventures, historically known as the UPS Strategic Enterprise Fund, is the corporate venture capital arm of United Parcel Service, founded in 1997 and based at the company's Atlanta, Georgia headquarters. The fund makes early- to mid-stage investments in startups that are strategically relevant to the world's largest package-delivery and global logistics company, using its capital both to develop critical commercial partnerships and to gather 'knowledge returns' on emerging technologies and market spaces, generally as a co-investor. Its areas of interest span logistics and transportation, warehousing and distribution, retail, healthcare, alternative fuel, wireless, biometrics and a broad sweep of information-technology categories from business and productivity software to networking, semiconductors and IT services. Over its long history the fund has made around 66 investments and recorded 23 exits. It is closely associated with UPS's bets on autonomous and aerial logistics, including drone-delivery pioneers Matternet, a UPS Flight Forward partner since 2019, and CyPhy Works, as well as autonomous-trucking company Peloton Technology. Other holdings include logistics-software companies such as Inxeption, Brazilian last-mile player Mandaê, and additive-manufacturing firm Fast Radius, its last disclosed exit in February 2022. Long led by Managing Director Rimas Kapeskas, the fund continues to invest, with a recent disclosed deal in healthcare-services company RxS in July 2025, and operates within UPS's broader multibillion-dollar automation strategy. By pairing capital with strategic partnership and knowledge returns, UPS Ventures backs the technologies shaping the future of logistics.

Upside Partnership, founded by Kent Goldman in San Francisco, is a seed and pre-seed venture capital firm known for its early-stage investments in technology and software sectors. Some notable companies in their portfolio include Hims & Hers, Allbirds, and Life360, highlighting their ability to identify high-growth potential startups. Upside Partnership is industry-agnostic, focusing on purpose-built teams and companies with a strong vision and operational efficiency. They invest primarily in the U.S. market, often being the first institutional investor to commit, which allows them to shape the initial growth trajectory of their portfolio companies. Their strategy involves writing initial checks of around $500K, with 70% of their fund reserved for supporting founders in subsequent rounds. They place a high value on long-term partnerships and are known for their hands-on approach, guiding startups through their growth phases with a combination of mentorship and strategic advice. Kent Goldman, previously a partner at First Round Capital, brings extensive experience in early-stage investing. Christina Hunt, another key partner, has a strong background in both startup operations and venture capital, ensuring that Upside Partnership provides comprehensive support to its founders. This blend of expertise and a founder-first philosophy makes Upside Partnership a distinguished player in the venture capital space.

Upswell Ventures is a dynamic early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2020 and based in Cottesloe, in the Perth area of Western Australia. The firm is dedicated to backing the next generation of great Australian founders, concentrating on B2B software and deep-technology companies at the seed and Series A stages. Its portfolio spans a broad set of categories, enterprise applications, auto tech, high tech, consumer, travel and hospitality tech, and energy tech, with a tilt toward enterprise B2B and SaaS businesses. Upswell typically writes first cheques of around $500,000 and above, investing primarily in Australian startups and frequently co-investing alongside other parts of the Australian early-stage ecosystem, including Startmate, Blackbird Ventures and Common Sense Ventures, and it is willing to lead. The firm runs a lean team of about four people, including two partners. As of mid-2024 it remained an active investor with a portfolio of roughly seven companies; among its most recent activity, Upswell led the A$617,000 seed round of Lasertrade alongside Startmate, with Blackbird Ventures and others participating. Its combination of a Western Australian base, somewhat outside the dominant Sydney and Melbourne hubs, and a focus on deep-tech and B2B software positions it as a regionally distinctive backer of early-stage Australian innovation. By writing first cheques into founders outside the country's largest venture centres, Upswell Ventures supports the growth of Western Australia's startup ecosystem while reaching nationally.

UpWest, a Silicon Valley-based seed fund, focuses on investing in Israel’s most promising entrepreneurs targeting the US market. Founded in 2012, UpWest has made over 111 investments and facilitated 21 successful exits. The firm emphasizes early-stage investments, typically participating in pre-seed, seed, and Series A funding rounds​. UpWest's portfolio includes companies across various sectors such as AI, machine learning, proptech, fintech, cybersecurity, and SaaS. Notable investments include SentinelOne, which specializes in endpoint security software, HoneyBook, a project management tool, and CyCognito, a company focusing on uncovering and eliminating IT risks​​. The firm is led by founding partners Shuly Galili and Gil Ben-Artzy, who bring extensive experience and a strong network to support Israeli founders. UpWest has helped its portfolio companies raise over $3 billion in follow-on investments, underscoring its commitment to fostering growth and innovation.

Urban Impact Ventures is a Dutch profit-with-purpose impact venture capital firm founded in 2020 and headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, operating with an international Bulgarian-Dutch team. The fund is on a mission to improve urban quality of life across Europe, blending capital with deep expertise in investing, innovation, impact entrepreneurship and sustainable urban development. It concentrates on two core themes within the urban environment, decarbonization and circularity, targeting the funding gap for the sustainable transformation of small and mid-sized cities and backing entrepreneurs who apply technology to urban infrastructure. Alongside attractive financial returns, the firm explicitly aims for a material net-positive contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and it backs innovative, scalable early- and expansion-stage businesses that accelerate the urban sustainability transition, generally as a co-investor. Urban Impact Ventures was founded by Hans van Houwelingen, former CEO of ACTIAM NV, a leading sustainable and impact asset manager with around EUR 65 billion in assets; its team of about 12, including three partners, also features venture partner Korstiaan Zandvliet, known for work on European liveability, social ventures and urban food solutions. Its first fund, UIV Fund I, targeted total commitments of EUR 30 million to roughly EUR 50 million. Portfolio companies include rooftop wind-and-solar energy firm IBIS Power, its most recent disclosed deal in August 2024, smart-mobility and fare-collection software company Modeshift, and hyperloop developer Hardt. By focusing on decarbonization and circularity in small and mid-sized European cities, Urban Impact Ventures backs the technologies improving urban quality of life.

Urban Innovation Fund, founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, focuses on investing in early-stage companies that enhance the livability, sustainability, and economic vitality of cities. The fund supports startups at the pre-seed and seed stages across various sectors including transportation, climate tech, proptech, edtech, fintech, public health, civic tech, and food systems. Notable investments include Electriphi, a software company for electric fleet management acquired by Ford, and codeSpark, an educational platform teaching kids to code, which was acquired by BEGiN. Other significant investments are BookNook, a tutoring platform for improving reading skills, and Jeeves, a global payment network for small businesses that has recently seen its valuation rise to $2.1 billion. The fund, co-founded by Clara Brenner and Julie Lein, provides not only capital but also regulatory support to help entrepreneurs navigate complex urban challenges. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to tackling key issues facing urban areas today, from sustainable finance to community health.

Urban-X, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, is an accelerator that supports startups focused on reimagining urban life and addressing the challenges cities face today. Created by MINI, the program offers a combination of funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage companies working on innovative solutions for sustainable, livable, and resilient cities. The accelerator has invested in over 115 companies across various sectors, including environmental services, application software, and automotive technology. Notable portfolio companies include Avvir, which offers construction automation technology, and RoadBotics, a company that uses AI to monitor road conditions. Urban-X provides tailored programming and access to a global network of investors and industry experts, helping startups scale their impact. The platform emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a significant percentage of portfolio companies having women and people of color as co-founders. For startups looking to make a difference in urban environments, Urban-X offers a robust support system to help turn innovative ideas into impactful solutions.

V-Sharp Venture Studio is an early-stage venture capital firm and venture studio based in Prague, Czech Republic. Launched in 2021, originally as V-Sharp Alpha, as part of the Reticulum group, it was founded by Michal Menšík, CEO of the fast-growing last-mile logistics group DoDo, and Zdeněk Šoustal, CEO of the Reticulum investment group. The studio backs promising startups in Central and Eastern Europe across three core verticals, e-commerce, logistics and financial technology, investing at the pre-seed, seed and Series A stages with tickets of up to roughly EUR 1 million and hundreds of millions of Czech korun available to deploy, and it is willing to lead. Rather than spreading capital thinly, V-Sharp deliberately invests in a small number of carefully selected companies each year and commits fully to each one, supplementing its capital with hands-on operating expertise, an extensive contact network, and shared services in marketing, legal and IT. The founders bring deep operating credibility: Menšík has spent more than 15 years in e-commerce and scaled DoDo into one of the Czech Republic's fastest-growing technology companies, while Šoustal's Reticulum group also backs Accolade, in commercial real estate and industrial parks, and MJM agro. The studio's disclosed portfolio of around eight companies includes Oxus.AI, Tapline and Vocalls. By combining studio-style company support with concentrated early-stage capital and the operating experience of its founders, V-Sharp Venture Studio backs CEE founders in e-commerce, logistics and fintech.

V1.VC is a venture capital firm based in Boulder, Colorado, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in internet, B2B software, consumer, financial, crypto, and deep tech companies across North America. V1.VC focuses on being patient, long-term capital partners for ambitious founders, leveraging their experience as current and former operators to support startups from initial stages to successful exits. Co-founded by Brett Jackson and Benny Joseph, V1.VC aims to be the most supportive investor in a founder’s journey. Brett Jackson brings extensive experience from roles at AVX Aircraft and Crocs, while Benny Joseph is known for his tenure as CTO at Allbirds and his role in founding GoodApril, which was acquired by Intuit. V1.VC has a diverse portfolio that includes notable companies like Allbirds, DoorDash, and OpenSea. They have made over 86 investments and have achieved 27 exits. The firm is dedicated to helping startups navigate the critical early stages of development and scale successfully. The team at V1.VC emphasizes a collaborative approach, working closely with startups to provide strategic guidance, resources, and connections to ensure their growth and success in the competitive market.

Valar Ventures, co-founded by Peter Thiel, Andrew McCormack, and James Fitzgerald, has made a significant mark in the venture capital world by focusing on fintech startups with a global reach. Notable investments include Wise, Xero, Petal, N26, and Stash, highlighting their commitment to backing transformative financial technology companies. These investments demonstrate Valar's ability to identify and nurture groundbreaking startups. The firm primarily invests in early-stage companies, often leading funding rounds with checks ranging from $1M to $10M. Their geographic focus spans North America and Europe, allowing them to tap into diverse markets and innovative ecosystems. This strategic approach ensures they are well-positioned to support startups poised for international growth. Valar Ventures operates with a clear investment strategy: they seek out companies with innovative fintech solutions that have the potential to disrupt traditional financial services. They are known for their hands-on approach, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance to help their portfolio companies scale effectively. The team, based in New York, brings deep fintech expertise and a strong network, which is invaluable to the startups they invest in. Founders looking to partner with Valar should present a clear, innovative fintech proposition with a strong potential for transformative impact. Valar Ventures is particularly interested in businesses that can demonstrate a solid growth trajectory and a compelling vision for the future of finance.

Valhalla Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm, founded in 2020, with a core focus on deeptech and gaming sectors. Based in Los Angeles and New York, the firm launched its first $66M flagship fund in 2022, targeting audacious founders tackling hard problems with breakthrough solutions in science and engineering. Valhalla’s investment strategy is built around a concentrated portfolio, favoring seed and Series A stages, with a strong emphasis on backing non-traditional areas like space technology, materials science, and gaming innovations. Notable deeptech investments include Terran Biosciences, focusing on biotech platforms, and K2 Space, which develops satellite technologies led by ex-SpaceX engineers. In the gaming space, they’ve supported ventures like Incredible Dream, which aims to build a billion-dollar board game IP, and 1v1Me, a competitive gaming platform. Valhalla's partners, including founders Devan Malhotra, Matthew King, and Rohan Pujara, are deeply involved in supporting their portfolio companies with a hands-on approach, leveraging connections in media and technology. The firm prioritizes founders who defy conventions and push the boundaries of their fields, offering more than just capital—they provide critical strategic support, helping startups scale and disrupt their industries. With a keen eye on sectors that often go overlooked by traditional VCs, Valhalla Ventures is carving out a niche as a daring investor in groundbreaking technology and new gaming experiences.

Valia Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in bold and innovative startups across various sectors including fintech, healthcare, consumer, and enterprise software. Based in New York, San Francisco, and London, the firm focuses on pre-seed, seed, and Series A investments, with check sizes ranging from $50,000 to $1 million. Valia Ventures also has an Opportunity Fund for investing in mature companies at the Series B stage and beyond. The firm is led by Managing Partner Khaled Jalanbo, along with a team of experienced investors like Riley Rodgers and Omar Sebai. They aim to be long-term partners, supporting companies throughout their growth stages with both capital and strategic guidance​. Valia Ventures has made significant investments in companies such as Selfbook, Humane, and Legacy, demonstrating their commitment to backing transformative ideas. Their portfolio is diverse, encompassing sectors from fintech and healthcare to enterprise software​.

Valo Ventures is a thesis-driven venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California, that invests in companies addressing global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and inequality. The firm focuses on three main areas: digitization, decarbonization, and adaptation. Valo Ventures targets early to growth-stage companies in North America and Europe, seeking to create a positive environmental and social impact while generating competitive financial returns. Their portfolio includes companies like XGS Energy, ARRIS, and Boston Materials, which leverage advanced technologies to tackle significant issues such as renewable energy, sustainable materials, and carbon reduction​​. Valo Ventures prides itself on fostering partnerships based on trust, reciprocity, and shared values, emphasizing the importance of diversity and long-term impact.

Valor Capital Group, founded in 2011, is a cross-border venture capital firm that focuses on bridging the US, Brazilian, and Latin American tech markets. Headquartered in New York, with significant operations in São Paulo, Valor Capital Group invests across various stages from seed to growth. Their portfolio spans multiple sectors, including fintech, B2B, consumer services, and technology. Some of Valor Capital Group's notable investments include companies like Nextdoor, Rubicon, and Satellogic. They have had a number of successful exits, with companies such as Udacity and Bitso achieving significant milestones. Valor Capital Group is known for supporting innovative startups like CloudWalk, which has achieved centaur status with over $300 million in annual recurring revenue, and Loft, valued at $2.9 billion as of April 2021. The firm’s team includes co-founders Clifford Sobel and Scott Sobel, with key partners like Michael Nicklas and Carlos Costa. They bring a wealth of experience and a robust network to their investment strategy, focusing on driving local innovation through global insights. Valor Capital Group’s unique cross-border approach and extensive portfolio underscore their commitment to fostering growth and innovation in emerging markets, particularly within the tech ecosystem of Brazil and Latin America.

Valor Equity Partners, founded in 1995 and based in Chicago, is a leading private equity firm specializing in operational growth investments. The firm strategically invests across various stages of company development, with a keen focus on technology sectors. Valor Equity Partners is renowned for its hands-on approach, working closely with portfolio companies to enhance growth and scalability. The firm's notable investments include SpaceX, a pioneer in aerospace; Gopuff, an on-demand convenience delivery service; Misfits Market, a direct-to-consumer grocery delivery provider; and Zipline, a company revolutionizing autonomous drone delivery systems. Valor's investment strategy emphasizes providing strategic and operational support, ensuring that portfolio companies can achieve substantial growth. Valor Equity Partners manages multiple funds, with their recent Fund V closing at $1.7 billion, underscoring their strong position in the private equity market. The firm's ability to attract significant capital commitments highlights investor confidence in their strategic approach and track record of success. Key team members include founder and CEO Antonio Gracias, who brings extensive experience and leadership to the firm. Valor's team is known for its deep industry knowledge and commitment to driving operational excellence within their portfolio companies. This combination of strategic investment and operational support positions Valor Equity Partners as a pivotal player in fostering innovation and growth within the technology sector.

Valor Ventures is an Atlanta-based venture capital firm that focuses on leading seed-stage investments, primarily in B2B SaaS startups. Established in 2015 by Lisa Calhoun, Valor Ventures aims to create financial disruption in regions outside of Silicon Valley, particularly the rapidly growing Southeastern U.S. With a strong commitment to diversity, Valor’s portfolio is 70% led by underrepresented founders, including women and people of color. Valor Ventures’ investment strategy targets post-product, post-revenue companies experiencing double-digit revenue growth. The firm takes a hands-on approach, providing not only capital but also strategic connections to corporate partners, customer introductions, and operational support through its Innovation Council. Valor's portfolio includes startups such as LeaseQuery, a leader in financial software, Physician360, and CareWork, which unifies operations for senior living facilities. The firm is also known for its Startup Runway Foundation, a nonprofit that connects underrepresented founders to early capital, further reinforcing its mission of making inclusion the norm in venture capital. With a growing portfolio and a focus on fast-growing markets, Valor Ventures continues to position itself as a leading force in the U.S. Southeast startup ecosystem. The team at Valor includes seasoned investors like Lisa Calhoun, Gary Peat, and Lynne Laube, whose combined experience provides invaluable mentorship and strategic insight to portfolio companies.

Vamos Ventures is a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm dedicated to investing in diverse founders, particularly from the Latinx community. Founded by Marcos Gonzalez in 2018, Vamos Ventures focuses on early-stage, tech-driven companies with the potential for high financial returns and significant social impact. The firm's primary investment sectors include Health & Wellness, Future of Work, FinTech, and Sustainability​. Notable investments in their portfolio include Form Energy, a company revolutionizing energy storage; Suma Wealth, a fintech platform focused on financial inclusion for the Latinx community; and SweetBio, a health and wellness startup innovating in wound care​. Vamos Ventures' mission is to create alpha and impact by funding disruptive solutions led by Latinx and diverse founders. The firm emphasizes the importance of community empowerment, social mobility, and representation in the tech ecosystem. They are supported by notable partners such as Apple, Bank of America, and the Ford Foundation​.

Van Wagoner Ventures is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm led by Managing Member Garrett Van Wagoner, operating as a late-stage and early private-equity crossover investor focused on the transformation of the global transportation grid. The firm's mission is to lead the financing of what it calls the Fourth Generation Industrial Revolution by backing companies building a cleaner, more sustainable, connected and intelligent transportation ecosystem across land, sea and air, through mobility-connected technology spanning connected services, telematics and logistics, alternative fuels, infrastructure support and smart-grid solutions powered by AI and IoT. Its vehicles include the Silicon Valley Associates Impact 1 Fund, which began marketing in 2016 with a US$250 million target and a socially-responsible-investing mandate centred on green transportation and renewable power infrastructure, and the VW Crossover Fund III Transportation Infrastructure Fund; in July 2017 Van Wagoner Ventures acquired Silicon Valley Venture Group and its predecessor Silicon Valley Associates in an all-equity transaction. Garrett Van Wagoner brings a long public-markets pedigree: he began as an equity analyst in 1978, spent 1982 to 1993 at Bessemer Trust, founded the Van Wagoner Funds mutual fund family, won the Lipper Performance Achievement Award five times, and earlier deployed $340 million across 54 companies in a 1997-vintage crossover program. The earlier Van Wagoner Capital Management, an SEC-registered adviser since 1995, reached a 2004 SEC settlement over the valuation of private securities held by the Van Wagoner Funds. Today Van Wagoner Ventures focuses on financing the clean, connected and intelligent transformation of global transportation.

VanEck is a global investment manager known for its forward-thinking approach to identifying major trends before they become mainstream investment opportunities. Founded in 1955 and headquartered in New York, VanEck has grown to manage over $107.7 billion in assets as of 2024, with a strong focus on ETFs, mutual funds, and alternative investments like digital assets, gold, and emerging markets. The firm was among the first U.S. asset managers to offer investors access to international markets and was an early adopter of gold and digital asset investments. VanEck's investment philosophy centers on providing clients with intelligently designed strategies that enhance portfolio diversification. Its offerings span from core investments in U.S. and international equities to specialized exposures in commodities, natural resources, and blockchain technology. The company also emphasizes sustainability and socially responsible investing, reflected in its partnerships with organizations like Women in ETFs and Wall Street Bound, which promote diversity and inclusion in finance. Led by CEO Jan van Eck, the firm continues to innovate, particularly in the areas of digital assets and emerging technologies. VanEck's strength lies in its active management, supported by deep sector expertise and a global team of experienced investment professionals​.

Vanedge Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm with offices in Vancouver and Silicon Valley. Founded by experienced technology entrepreneurs, the firm focuses on investing in companies that leverage deep technology and innovative solutions in areas such as hard tech, artificial intelligence, and analytics. Vanedge Capital aims to help visionary technologists build and scale their businesses through capital investment, operational expertise, and a robust network of industry connections. The firm has $390 million under management and has developed a repeatable investment process refined over a decade to deliver superior returns. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of companies such as Canalyst, Cogniac, and Echodyne, each known for their groundbreaking technologies and market impact. Key team members include Moe Kermani, who has extensive experience in cloud computing and machine intelligence, and Amy Rae, who focuses on SaaS businesses and applied analytics. The team provides hands-on support to their portfolio companies, helping them mitigate execution risks and attract follow-on capital from top-tier co-investors.

Vast Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in disruptive companies with a global impact. Founded in 2004 by Doug Chertok, the firm is headquartered in New York, New York. Vast Ventures has a diverse portfolio, investing in sectors such as healthcare, finance, AI, cloud software, and sustainability. They have a strong track record with notable investments in companies like Sweetgreen, Conductor, and Clover Health​. The firm's investment strategy centers on fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs who aim to create significant positive change. They emphasize long-term partnerships, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and support to help their portfolio companies grow and succeed​. Vast Ventures is managed by a team of experienced professionals, including Doug Chertok, Aniq Rahman, and Talia Zapolanski. The team leverages their extensive backgrounds in finance, entrepreneurship, and venture capital to help startups navigate the challenges of early-stage growth​. For startups seeking investment, Vast Ventures is particularly interested in companies that aim to improve health and happiness, promote resource sustainability, increase human potential and productivity, and foster knowledge and empathy. They prefer to lead investment rounds and take active roles in the development of their portfolio companies​.

Velocity Ventures is a Singapore-based venture capital firm with a singular focus on the Travel and Hospitality sector across Southeast Asia, founded in 2020. The firm launched its sector-specific Travel and Hospitality Fund, reaching a first close of US$20 million, partly in response to the COVID-19 disruption, with the aim of powering the recovery and reinvention of the region's travel and hospitality startups and matching corporates with promising young companies. Velocity backs visionary entrepreneurs reshaping the sector at the seed to Series A stage, and selectively through to pre-IPO, across five verticals: Transportation, Travel Retail, Real Estate and Accommodation, Food and Beverage, and Retail and Entertainment, and it is willing to lead. Beyond capital it offers a hands-on, value-added approach combining strategic guidance with a deep industry network in Asia. The team blends travel and hospitality sector specialists with successful entrepreneurs who collectively bring around 13 decades of operating and investing experience and a track record of more than 50 deals across venture capital, private equity, M&A and IPOs with a reported roughly 24.4% IRR on early-stage investments. Velocity was founded by A. Patrick Imbardelli, former CEO of Pan Pacific Hotels and of InterContinental Hotels Group in Asia-Pacific, and Nicholas Cocks, an entrepreneur turned professional investor, with partners including Jonathon Cocks and Bennett Lee. Portfolio companies include ZUZU Hospitality, Aigens, BYHOURS, TripGuru, Tripbtoz, Journee, Tablevibe and Feast. By focusing exclusively on travel and hospitality in Southeast Asia, Velocity Ventures backs the founders reshaping the region's travel economy.

Velvet Sea Ventures is a multi-stage venture capital firm based in New York, founded in 2019 by Kass Lazerow, Matthew Giampetroni, Michael Lazerow, and John Giampetroni. The firm focuses on helping entrepreneurs turn their visions into reality by providing capital and hands-on strategic support. With over 80 years of combined experience and more than $2.2 billion invested, Velvet Sea offers seed-to-growth stage investments across various sectors. The firm is known for backing high-growth companies in industries like human capital services, fintech, and semiconductors. Their diverse portfolio includes companies such as Scopely, Liquid Death, SuperRare, and eToro, emphasizing Velvet Sea's versatility in supporting businesses from gaming to consumer products. Velvet Sea Ventures takes pride in being more than just a capital provider; they partner closely with their portfolio companies to drive innovation and long-term success. Their team has led numerous high-profile investments, including in Autograph and LeoLabs, and they continue to expand their reach across various sectors globally.

Venrock, a venture capital firm born from the Rockefeller family’s pioneering investments, focuses on early-stage companies in healthcare and technology. Its portfolio features high-profile companies like Apple, Intel, and more recently, businesses such as Illumina, and Cloudflare. Venrock operates primarily in the U.S., with offices in Palo Alto, New York, and Cambridge, emphasizing innovation-driven startups. Venrock’s investment strategy targets disruptive ideas in digital health, biotech, enterprise software, and cybersecurity. They prioritize early-stage investments, often leading seed and Series A rounds with checks typically ranging from $5M to $10M. The firm’s disciplined approach includes follow-on investments, ensuring sustained growth. Venrock tends to stay hands-on, offering strategic guidance rather than merely financial support, particularly in sectors with complex technical or regulatory landscapes. With recent funds like Venrock 10, a $650M pool, the firm is increasingly active, especially in biotech and digital therapeutics. Founders should note that Venrock values data-driven pitches and prefers founders with strong domain expertise. Partner Bryan Roberts, a key figure, exemplifies Venrock’s deep involvement in healthcare innovation, while other partners like Brian Ascher are notable for their tech focus. For startups, the ideal approach to Venrock involves showcasing clear scalability and a transformative market vision. Venrock’s long-standing reputation for backing groundbreaking companies is cemented by its proactive role in nurturing bold ideas that shape the future.

Venture Highway is a founder-first, seed-stage, tech-focused venture capital firm founded in 2015 and based in India, in New Delhi, originally established by former Google executive Samir Sood. The firm invests almost exclusively at the seed stage, preferring to be the first institutional partner for category-creating companies, and backs startups across fintech, logistics, Web3, SaaS, cybersecurity and B2B commerce, willing to lead. It takes a hands-on approach, leveraging a network of investors, industry experts, advisors and potential hires across India and the US, with an average cheque size of around $1M. Venture Highway raised a $78.6M second fund announced in January 2020 and built a portfolio of roughly 80 companies that has produced six unicorns, two IPOs and eight acquisitions. It is best known as an early and long-term backer of Meesho, having invested in its first seed round, and reportedly sold a 1.5% stake for around 50x returns. Other notable portfolio names include Moglix, MPL, BetterPlace, Chalo, Fam, Grip Invest and CheQ. In a major development, global firm General Catalyst agreed in early 2024 to merge with Venture Highway, completing the deal in June 2024 to strengthen its India presence and global seed capability; founder Samir Sood subsequently transitioned to an advisory role amid the restructuring. By being the first institutional partner to category-creating Indian founders and pairing capital with a hands-on network, Venture Highway built a seed track record that drew a global firm's acquisition.

Venture Kick, a leading philanthropic initiative in Switzerland, has been instrumental in supporting early-stage startups since its inception in 2007. The program provides up to CHF 150,000 in pre-seed funding through a structured, three-stage process, aimed at helping science-based startups transition from innovative concepts to market-ready businesses. With a portfolio of over 1,000 supported startups, Venture Kick has contributed significantly to the Swiss startup ecosystem. Their efforts have led to the creation of more than 13,300 jobs and attracted over CHF 8 billion in investments. Notable successes from their alumni include Climeworks, a leader in direct air capture technology, which recently raised CHF 600 million to scale its operations, and YASAI, a vertical farming company that has secured investment from the Bell Food Group to boost its growth​​. The foundation’s focus spans various high-tech sectors, including ICT, life sciences, cleantech, and advanced manufacturing. In 2023 alone, Venture Kick reviewed 781 applications and supported 118 projects, demonstrating its robust selection process and broad industry impact. The initiative aims to scale its model further, with ambitious goals of supporting 3,000 high-tech companies and creating 100,000 jobs by 2033​.

VentureFriends is an Athens-based venture capital firm that was founded in 2016 by Apostolos Apostolakis and George Dimopoulos. The firm focuses on seed and early-stage investments in sectors like fintech, proptech, SaaS, and consumer solutions. With offices in Athens, London, Barcelona, and Warsaw, VentureFriends targets startups across Europe and the Middle East, aiming to support ambitious entrepreneurs with bold ideas. VentureFriends has a track record of backing promising startups, including notable companies like Instashop, Belvo, and Blueground. They are known for their hands-on approach, often acting as an extension of the startups they support. Their typical initial investments range from €500,000 to €2.5 million, with follow-on investments that can go up to €10 million. This strategy allows them to stay deeply involved in the growth of their portfolio companies. The firm has raised multiple funds, with their most recent one closing at €90 million, enabling them to continue supporting innovation in regions like Latin America and MENA. They are highly regarded for their ability to guide startups through both the good times and the tough times, providing not just capital, but mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to their extensive network.

Ventures Platform is a leading Pan-African venture capital firm, renowned for its founder-friendly approach and substantial investments in tech-driven startups. With notable portfolio companies like Paystack, PiggyVest, and Remedial Health, Ventures Platform has a keen focus on fintech, health tech, edtech, and agritech sectors. Their geographic focus spans across Africa, targeting high-growth potential in emerging markets. The fund's investment strategy is characterized by early-stage investments, usually taking the lead in funding rounds, with average check sizes ranging from $50K to $500K. Ventures Platform emphasizes a hands-on approach, offering extensive portfolio support through their Platform and Networks team. This includes market analysis, ecosystem engagement, and strategic communications to ensure their portfolio companies scale successfully. To approach Ventures Platform, startups are encouraged to demonstrate innovative solutions with clear market potential, preferably in sectors aligned with the fund's focus. Building connections through ecosystem events and demonstrating strong growth metrics can significantly enhance the chances of securing investment.

VentureSouq is a dynamic venture capital firm based in Dubai, specializing in early-stage investments with a focus on FinTech and ClimateTech. Launched in 2013, VSQ has become a cornerstone of the MENA region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, managing over 200 investments globally. Key investments include high-profile companies like Tabby, Sary, and Huspy, demonstrating their commitment to fostering innovation in diverse markets. VSQ targets sectors such as financial technology, climate technology, edtech, and digital media, emphasizing solutions that address critical economic, environmental, and societal issues. Their strategic focus includes sub-sectors like alternative proteins, carbon economy, energy storage, and supply chain technology, aligning with their mission of conscious investing. Geographically, VentureSouq invests across MENA and Pakistan, with notable ventures in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan. Their regional approach is complemented by a global perspective, reflecting their expansive investment reach. VSQ's investment strategy revolves around thematic funds, aiming to support transformative tech startups from seed to growth stages. They actively lead funding rounds, often with substantial follow-on investments, and leverage their extensive network to propel startups toward significant milestones. Their portfolio management is hands-on, providing operational support, strategic guidance, and valuable industry connections. The leadership team includes co-founders Sonia Gokhale, Tammer Qaddumi, and Sonia Weymuller, all bringing a wealth of experience from various prestigious financial institutions. Their diverse backgrounds and deep sector expertise underpin VSQ's robust investment framework.

Verdane is a specialist growth investment firm focused on tech-enabled and sustainable businesses across Europe. Founded in 2003, Verdane has raised nine funds and several co-investment vehicles, with total commitments exceeding €6 billion. The firm invests in both single companies and portfolios, targeting two core themes: digitalization and decarbonization. Notable investments include Babyshop, Banqsoft, Baum und Pferdgarten, Bellman Group, and Bemz. Verdane's flexible investment approach allows for both minority and majority stakes, supporting companies through growth capital and strategic guidance. Their portfolio spans diverse sectors such as B2B software, consumer digital services, and green technology. Verdane operates from seven offices across Europe, including Berlin, Munich, Copenhagen, Helsinki, London, Oslo, and Stockholm. Their in-house team of over 130 professionals provides deep sector expertise and hands-on support to help portfolio companies scale and achieve market leadership. In recent years, Verdane has been recognized for its performance, notably being named the top-performing mid-market investor in Europe in 2022 by HEC-Dow Jones. The firm is also a certified B Corporation, ensuring its investments align with high sustainability standards.