Berlin-based venture capital firm Angel Invest has successfully closed its oversubscribed third fund at €40 million, reinforcing its commitment to early-stage startups. The announcement was coupled with the appointment of new, experienced venture partners and advisors to enhance its founder support system. This dual development signals the firm's strategic expansion and its ambition to provide more than just initial capital to its portfolio companies.
A Focused Early-Stage Strategy
Fund III will continue Angel Invest's strategy of investing at the angel, pre-seed, and seed stages, often writing the first check into a company. The firm focuses on sectors like artificial intelligence, energy, and infrastructure, aiming to back around 75 startups annually. This approach is combined with hands-on coaching to help founders achieve product-market fit and secure future funding rounds.
The fund has already been actively deploying capital, with over 110 investments made to date, including in companies like Peec AI, Originator, and Feld Energy. This closing occurs within a vibrant European funding environment, with other firms like Pitchdrive and Merantix Capital also recently announcing new funds. Angel Invest's activity highlights the continued investor confidence in Europe's burgeoning technology ecosystem and its role as a key player within it.
Proven Track Record and Portfolio Success
With a portfolio of over 250 companies, Angel Invest has a demonstrated history of identifying and nurturing high-potential ventures. Its early investments have consistently attracted capital from top-tier global investors, leading to significant growth and successful exits. This track record validates the firm's model of combining early financial backing with deep operational involvement to build lasting companies.
Prominent portfolio companies exemplify this success, such as Augustus, which scaled to a Series B led by Valar Ventures. Other notable investments include Taktile, backed by Index Ventures and Tiger Global, and Rasa, which attracted funding from Andreessen Horowitz and Accel. These examples underscore the firm's ability to help startups reach milestones that attract world-class institutional investors for subsequent growth stages.
Strengthening the Team with Industry Leaders
The firm has significantly bolstered its team with the addition of five new venture partners, each bringing extensive operational and investment experience. The new partners include Nazanin Daneshvar, founder of a major Middle Eastern startup; Connor Murphy, a former Techstars Managing Director; and Alexa Gorman, a former SVP at SAP. This infusion of talent is designed to provide founders with direct access to proven company builders and industry experts.
According to Managing Partner Jag Singh, the new partners are deeply engaged, dedicating significant time to coaching the founders they support. The advisory board is also enhanced with the addition of Midas List investor Harry Briggs and former AXA Venture Partners founder Imran Akram. This expansion reflects what Founding Partner Jens Lapinski calls an ambition that "goes beyond the first check" to build a comprehensive support platform.
With its newly closed €40 million fund and a reinforced team of seasoned operators, Angel Invest is poised to deepen its impact on the European startup scene. The firm's strategy of pairing early-stage capital with intensive coaching and an expanded expert network solidifies its position as a crucial partner for founders. This latest move underscores its commitment to not only funding but actively building the next wave of innovative technology companies.