Unconventional Ventures

Unconventional Ventures is a Copenhagen-based VC fund, focused on investing in early-stage startups led by underrepresented founders, including women, people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Founded in 2019 by Thea Messel, the fund is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the European tech ecosystem. It targets scalable impact tech companies, with a strong focus on climate, health, education, and fintech sectors. Unconventional Ventures invests mainly in the Nordics and Europe, with notable investments in startups like Meela and SciFree. Their strategy is deeply impact-driven, seeking founders who can tackle systemic issues often overlooked by traditional VCs. They typically invest at the pre-seed and seed stages, offering both capital and a robust support network, while frequently co-investing with other mission-aligned funds. The fund is active in building an ecosystem that provides not just mentorship but also tangible company-building support​. Nora Bavey, a general partner, plays a key role in shaping the fund’s ambitious vision of reshaping venture capital to be more inclusive. With an average check size in the early rounds, they aim to back diverse founders who are solving real societal challenges​.