Ugly Duckling Ventures

Ugly Duckling Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Copenhagen, Denmark, founded in 2021. It focuses on early-stage investments, particularly at the pre-seed and seed stages, within the Nordic region. The firm is led by a team of experienced founders and business angels who prioritize building strong relationships with the startups they back, offering not only capital but also operational expertise to help early ventures scale quickly. The firm targets disruptive business models and industries with growth potential across various sectors, including software, e-commerce, and sustainability. Ugly Duckling Ventures is known for its hands-on, collaborative approach, providing startups with direct access to general partners rather than delegating them to junior managers. The firm is actively involved in the Danish startup ecosystem, with many of its investors contributing to the success of portfolio companies like Moxso, BeCause, and Juristic. In 2023, Ugly Duckling closed a DKK 150 million (approximately $22 million) fund to support Danish startups, typically investing around $1.6 million per round. Their focus on transparency and founder-first partnerships makes them a valuable ally for early-stage companies.