VCLink News’ Post

We are delighted to announce the first close of Cogito Fund II Cogito Capital Partners, a Warsaw and NYC-based venture capital firm, has announced the first close of its Cogito Fund II with a target size of €125m in capital commitments. The new fund, with over €90m of capital available for investment after the first close, enables the firm to continue investing in European later- and early growth-stage enterprise tech businesses, with a particular focus on companies with a Central European footprint. The fund targets investments ranging from EUR 5m up to EUR 15m per company. Led by Sylwester Janik and Martin Jasinski, co-founders and managing partners, Cogito is a venture capital firm that partners with ambitious entrepreneurs to scale up globally category-defining companies. Cogito invests in later- and early growth-stage tech B2B companies with products and services poised for successful expansion into the US and other global markets. The firm focuses on investing in enterprise software, fintech and healthtech sectors, working collaboratively to support and advise entrepreneurs, empowering them to execute their global growth strategies. Since 2019, Cogito has partnered with portfolio companies such as Applica (successfully exited to Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW) in 2022 with 10x return), Finom, HigoSense, Ramp, SkyEngine or Uncapped.   A number of institutional international investors backed the fund, including the European Investment Fund (EIF), the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Polish Development Fund (PFR) and the Kościuszko Foundation, USA, as well as family offices and US and European tech entrepreneurs. See more: https://lnkd.in/dztD-zWc

Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures(VKAV) has announced its plan to back up to 21 growth-stage companies across the continent after closing its first fund at $60 million. The pan-African VC hit the milestone following fresh backing from new investors including Nigeria's SCM Capital, Taiyo Holdings and C2C Global Education Japan. The VKAV fund invests between $1 million and $3 million, with the ability to follow on. The VC fund invests in companies that are building infrastructure for the digital economy, solving inefficiencies encountered by businesses and market creators for the emerging consumer population. It focuses on backing companies targeting shifts in consumer trends. VKAV has already invested an average of $1.5 million in 12 companies from Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Ivory Coast and South Africa. The investees span the fintech, mobility, e-commerce, proptech, deep tech, insurtech, energy and healthcare sectors. Some of the companies that VKAV has invested in include Uber-backed Moove Africa, climate tech scale-up KOKO Networks, Nigerian shared mobility startup Shuttlers, aerospace startup Cloudline, Morocco’s B2B e-commerce and retail startup Chari, and insurtech mTek-Services. Exciting news for the African tech ecosystem! Congratulations Ory Okolloh and Team! https://lnkd.in/dF49SMrS

🚀 OurCrowd Leading the Charge as Global VCs Dominate the Israeli Scene 🇮🇱💼 Despite a tough year for many Israeli VCs, OurCrowd is proving why it remains a powerhouse in the local and global venture capital landscape. As U.S. heavyweights like Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed increase their investments in Israel, OurCrowd continues to lead with 16 new investments in the first half of 2024—outpacing the competition and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to innovation, locally and globally. The IVC-Gornitzky-KPMG report highlights a broader trend; many of Israel's long-established funds, have scaled back, but OurCrowd is stepping up, maintaining its position at the forefront of the industry. While U.S. giants dominate, local micro funds are trying to keep pace with smaller-scale investments. Yet, the fundraising landscape has been challenging for many, with Israeli VCs raising just $554 million in the first half of 2024—on track for one of the industry's toughest years. Institutional investors, meanwhile, are contributing less than ever before, marking the lowest participation levels since 2020. 🌍 What’s Next? As U.S. VCs focus on Israeli startups, OurCrowd stands tall, bridging the gap between global capital and groundbreaking innovation. The Israeli venture scene is evolving— and OurCrowd remains committed to pushing the envelope, driving growth, and nurturing the next generation of global disruptors. https://lnkd.in/gzvUFQUM Jonathan Medved, Josh Wolff, Alon Tal, Ely Razin

🕚Here’s a flashback to an exciting and bold VC fund launch from 2023. 💸 In Q3 2023, British venture capital firm Dawn Capital closed $700 Million in funding across two new funds (i) Dawn V: $620 million and (ii) Dawn Opportunities: $80 million follow-on fund. 🌍 #Europe 💡 ‘#B2B software start-ups. Dawn V backs #SeriesA and #SeriesB stages with initial investments of $10 million to $40 million, while Dawn Opportunities III will back companies from the #SeriesC stage onward.’ 📈 ‘Dawn was acknowledged as Europe’s top-performing venture capital fund manager by Preqin in 2023, and all the firm’s funds continually rank in the top quartile for venture capital performance globally.’ 💭 “We have raised fresh capital to invest in the best-of-the-best European founders pioneering the technology innovations that will drive monumental platform shifts over the coming decades.” - Norman Fiore, General Partner at Dawn Capital 🗞️PYMNTS https://lnkd.in/e9HWUY9y 👏 For the #AudaciousInvestors unleashing innovation and empowering tomorrow🚀 Haakon Overli I Norman Fiore I Josh Bell I Dan Chaplin I Hannah Gubbins I Mina Mutafchieva Van Ingelgem I Evgenia Plotnikova I Henry Mason I Jimena Nowack I Skye Fletcher I Haakon Overli I Nils Howland I Zoe (Ziwen) Qin I Alex Goodway I Team Dawn Capital … #venturecapital #vc #funds #startups #entrepreneurs #funding #tech #uk #entrepreneurship #technology #innovation #fund #british #venture

UK based venture capital firm Giant Ventures recently announced the launch of two new purpose-driven tech funds. 💸 ‘A $100 million seed fund targets 25 early-stage companies and a larger $150 million climate-focused growth fund. Backers include Richard Branson, BMW Group, Henkel, RIT Capital Partners plc, Denmark’s sovereign investment fund, The Nature Conservancy, amongst others. 💭 “Our vision is to create the world’s leading engine of purpose-driven innovation,” and further added, “We deliver top returns by partnering with the most ambitious founders using technology as a force for good.” - Cameron McLain, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Giant 💡 ‘The funds are set to support technology companies addressing critical global challenges, emphasising themes such as climate, health, and inclusive capitalism.’ 🌍 The funds will be allocated across the #UK, the #USA, and the #Nordics. 📈 ‘The company has a proven track record of success, with prior funds doubling in value since 2019, ranking in the top quartile of venture capital firms globally.’ 🗞️By Vivek Chhetri Tech Funding News https://lnkd.in/dDFpCeZs 👏 For the #AudaciousInvestors unleashing innovation and empowering tomorrow🚀 Cameron McLain I Tommy Stadlen I Jon Dishotsky I Jia Lin Yong I Madelene Larsson I Oliver Jupp I Georgia Ritter I Team Giant Ventures … #venturecapital #vc #funds #startups #entrepreneurs #funding #tech #entrepreneurship #technology #innovation #climate #health #inclusion

#dailyorbit: Venture capital is under pressure in today’s market, yet some managers continue to raise massive funds. US-based General Catalyst is on the brink of securing a $6 billion fund to fuel innovation in tech startups. Focusing primarily on the US, Europe and India, the fund will be spread across industries such as defense, space, fintech, climate and health care, according to the Financial Times. Using an “unorthodox” approach to investing, Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst, describes himself as an advocate for responsible innovation. His sights are set on steering the firm to transform complex industries such as education and healthcare which have typically been less attractive for VC. Set to be finalized next month, the fund also underscores the ongoing investors’ appetite for established VC firms. “I’d be hard-pressed to come up with a high-profile fund that’s abandoned fundraising,” said one head of investments, cited by Financial Times. In contrast, many emerging managers with shorter track records are “struggling to survive” in the current environment.  In your view, is now a good time to invest in venture capital? #VentureCapital #Innovation #TechInvestment #MarketLeaders

𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐂 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 €𝟒𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲-𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 Pitchdrive, a European early-stage venture capital firm, has announced the successful raise of its third fund, amounting to €40 million, which will be dedicated to investing in promising startups across the continent. Read More: https://bityl.co/PsWz #startup #belgian #VCCOMPANY #venturecapital #VentureCapitalists #funding #fundingnews #news #investment #investingnews #startupnews #InsightsSuccess

Did you know that the Department of Industry, Science and Resources publishes a Venture Capital Dashboard based on returns submitted by Australian Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships (ESVCLPs) and Venture Capital Limited Partnerships (VCLPs).   The latest report for the 2023-2024 financial year has been released this month and it has some very interesting data that founders looking for capital may find interesting.    There is more information in the actual report attached, but here are my key takeaways 1.      Plenty of dry powder in the space (over $14b). But most of this is in the VCLP space who do limited pre-seed, seed and startup funding. 2.      Participants in the markets continues to grow 3.      Where you are seems to matter as NSW got over 52% of the funds invested in 2023 /24. Victoria got less than half of NSW and the other states split the rest. 4.      What stage you are at matters. Pre-seed, Seed and Startup received less than 14% of the funds invested in 2023/24. 5.      Median cheque size for pre-seed was $225,000, seed $400,000 and start up around $550,000   The sweet spot from what I can see if NSW companies in the expansion phase. If that’s you then your chances of VC funding are improved. If that’s not you, make sure you consider other fund raising options

Did you know that the Department of Industry, Science and Resources publishes a Venture Capital Dashboard based on returns submitted by Australian Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships (ESVCLPs) and Venture Capital Limited Partnerships (VCLPs).   The latest report for the 2023-2024 financial year has been released this month and it has some very interesting data that founders looking for capital may find interesting. Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your #businessgrant application or to learn more about my #OutsourcedCFO Services, simply email ([email protected]) or call me (0412 227 052). If you want more like this just Follow me #grants #businesssupport #business #cashflow #forecast #businesstips #arealcfo #outsourcedcfo 

Today, Giant Ventures is announcing two new funds, totalling $250M: a $100 million seed fund to back early-stage companies with conviction, and a $150 million climate-focused growth fund to provide scale-up capital to the world’s leading climate technology companies. This fresh capital fuels our mission of backing purpose-driven founders solving the world’s biggest challenges, from climate and health to inclusive capitalism. In a harsh fundraising environment, it’s a testament to the first 40 incredible teams we’ve backed, the hard work of the Giant team, and our world-class LPs. We started Giant for two reasons:
 1. We believe human creativity applied to technology will continue to be the driving force that shapes the world, and that entrepreneurship is the best vehicle for solving the world’s biggest challenges. 2. The entrepreneurs tackling these challenges deserve mission-driven investors, who understand the founder's journey. While 92% of European venture capitalists have never worked at a startup, Giant is a team of former founders, operators, and global leaders with deep networks in both the US and Europe. We partner with the most ambitious founders using technology as a force for good and once we invest, throw the the full weight of the Giant ecosystem behind them. Since we launched, we’ve invested in some incredible companies including the likes of Agreena (Europe’s leading soil carbon platform), Field (energy storage startup), Doccla (Europe’s leading virtual hospital ward), and Calm (the global mental health app). Milestones like these offer a moment for reflection. Thank you to all the founders and investors who have trusted us thus far, and folks who have helped us on our way. We’re committed to building the world’s premier engine for purpose-driven innovation, delivering exceptional returns and positive impact. Today is an important step toward that vision. Like the Giants we’ve backed, we’re just getting started.