500 Startups
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DATABASE (628)
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Juan García Perrote is an IESE Business School MBA graduate with over 10 years of experience in executive marketing roles. He is also serial entrepreneur in marketplace and digital marketing startups. He was the co-founder of Tick4all, the “last-minute of movie-tickets,” offering discounted seats at local cinemas, and COO of the referral marketing platform Fulltip. He was also partner and CEO of the digital marketing company Smart Client.Currently, he is CEO and founder of Ketplace, a marketplace sales management consultancy advising companies how to get the best sales performance in leading marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and AliExpress. García Perrote is also a partner and advisor in The Beemine Lab, the first biotechnology company in Spain to produce cannabidiol-based cosmetics.
Juan García Perrote is an IESE Business School MBA graduate with over 10 years of experience in executive marketing roles. He is also serial entrepreneur in marketplace and digital marketing startups. He was the co-founder of Tick4all, the “last-minute of movie-tickets,” offering discounted seats at local cinemas, and COO of the referral marketing platform Fulltip. He was also partner and CEO of the digital marketing company Smart Client.Currently, he is CEO and founder of Ketplace, a marketplace sales management consultancy advising companies how to get the best sales performance in leading marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and AliExpress. García Perrote is also a partner and advisor in The Beemine Lab, the first biotechnology company in Spain to produce cannabidiol-based cosmetics.
SoftBank announced its second Vision Fund of about $108bn in July 2019 to invest in technology startups across the world. SoftBank had originally planned to contribute $38bn to the new fund. However, its Vision Fund I was badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and losses resulting in lower valuations of its investments in Uber and WeWork.In February 2020, the Japanese conglomerate decided to inject more money into the Vision Fund II before raising new funds from other LPs. With $10bn committed to the second fund by the SoftBank Group, the new fund has now invested in 13 portfolio companies including co-leading the Series C round for XAG in November 2020.
SoftBank announced its second Vision Fund of about $108bn in July 2019 to invest in technology startups across the world. SoftBank had originally planned to contribute $38bn to the new fund. However, its Vision Fund I was badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and losses resulting in lower valuations of its investments in Uber and WeWork.In February 2020, the Japanese conglomerate decided to inject more money into the Vision Fund II before raising new funds from other LPs. With $10bn committed to the second fund by the SoftBank Group, the new fund has now invested in 13 portfolio companies including co-leading the Series C round for XAG in November 2020.
The Plantbase Foundation is a non-profit institution run by entrepreneur and impact investor Willem Blom based in The Netherlands. Most of the Plantbase activities are backed by donors. At least 80% of the donations are used to support enterprises that facilitate the shift from animal agriculture to a vegan lifestyle. The foundation has invested in foodtechs involved in the meat, fish and dairy industries; as well as food delivery and apps. Its portfolio includes fast-growing startups like Heura, Meatable, Livekindly and Mission Barns. It also works with investment partners like Kale United, Mile High Vegan Network, Vegan Entrepreneurs Network and GlassWall Syndicate.
The Plantbase Foundation is a non-profit institution run by entrepreneur and impact investor Willem Blom based in The Netherlands. Most of the Plantbase activities are backed by donors. At least 80% of the donations are used to support enterprises that facilitate the shift from animal agriculture to a vegan lifestyle. The foundation has invested in foodtechs involved in the meat, fish and dairy industries; as well as food delivery and apps. Its portfolio includes fast-growing startups like Heura, Meatable, Livekindly and Mission Barns. It also works with investment partners like Kale United, Mile High Vegan Network, Vegan Entrepreneurs Network and GlassWall Syndicate.
Founded in Washington DC in 2016, AV Ventures is co-founded by US not-for-profit organizations, the Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance.AV Ventures focuses on supporting SMEs that facilitate financing for farmers to improve sustainable supply chain management and boost social impact in Africa and Central Asia. Investments in tech startups include the $790,000 seed round of AgroCenta in January 2021. Through AV Frontiers in Bishkek, the VC also recently participated in April’s investment round of Kyrgyzstan-based ololoAkJol Resort, a hub for digital nomads, or independent remote workers.
Founded in Washington DC in 2016, AV Ventures is co-founded by US not-for-profit organizations, the Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance.AV Ventures focuses on supporting SMEs that facilitate financing for farmers to improve sustainable supply chain management and boost social impact in Africa and Central Asia. Investments in tech startups include the $790,000 seed round of AgroCenta in January 2021. Through AV Frontiers in Bishkek, the VC also recently participated in April’s investment round of Kyrgyzstan-based ololoAkJol Resort, a hub for digital nomads, or independent remote workers.
Green Angel Syndicate (GSA) is an angel investment syndicate fund headquartered in the UK and joined by over 250 members. GSA’s investments are mostly focused on technologies that can tackle climate change and global warming issues. As of December 2020, the firm has, directly and indirectly, contributed to saving more than 20,000 tones of CO2 and increased its emissions savings by 88% throughout the year.The fund has invested over £10m in startups in their early-stage and operating across 10 different sectors. GSA is also behind the EIS Climate Change Fund, a co-investment fund in deals managed by GSA. In 2019, GSA was recognized as the UK Business Angels Association Angel Syndicate of the Year.
Green Angel Syndicate (GSA) is an angel investment syndicate fund headquartered in the UK and joined by over 250 members. GSA’s investments are mostly focused on technologies that can tackle climate change and global warming issues. As of December 2020, the firm has, directly and indirectly, contributed to saving more than 20,000 tones of CO2 and increased its emissions savings by 88% throughout the year.The fund has invested over £10m in startups in their early-stage and operating across 10 different sectors. GSA is also behind the EIS Climate Change Fund, a co-investment fund in deals managed by GSA. In 2019, GSA was recognized as the UK Business Angels Association Angel Syndicate of the Year.
Based in Brussels, Astanor Ventures is an impact investor specializing in foodtech, agritech and blue ocean economy with focus on the environment and sustainability. Founded in 2017 by Eric Archambeau and George Coelho, Astanor has invested in more than 20 startups in Europe and the US. Archambeau and Coelho launched Balderton Capital in Europe and were early investors in Spotify, Betfair and LoveFilm.Astanor invests according to the principles for responsible investment (PRI), prioritizing technology-led solutions that connect the value chain, innovate on nutrition and accelerate regenerative agriculture. In November 2020, the firm closed fundraising for its $325m Global Impact Fund focused on food and agriculture technology that comply with the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Based in Brussels, Astanor Ventures is an impact investor specializing in foodtech, agritech and blue ocean economy with focus on the environment and sustainability. Founded in 2017 by Eric Archambeau and George Coelho, Astanor has invested in more than 20 startups in Europe and the US. Archambeau and Coelho launched Balderton Capital in Europe and were early investors in Spotify, Betfair and LoveFilm.Astanor invests according to the principles for responsible investment (PRI), prioritizing technology-led solutions that connect the value chain, innovate on nutrition and accelerate regenerative agriculture. In November 2020, the firm closed fundraising for its $325m Global Impact Fund focused on food and agriculture technology that comply with the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Founded in 2011 in Leipzig, Monkfish Equity offers a hands-off investment approach, providing funding of €0.5m–€2m to enterprises across market segments in Germany, other European countries and the US.The firm is run by the co-founders of travel and hotel platform Trivago. Monkfish’s portfolio of 12 companies mainly comprises businesses in the B2C markets. Investments include the $54m Series B round of Austrian marketplace Refurbed in August 2021 and the €8m Series A round of Inne, a German fertility-tracking platform in October 2019.
Founded in 2011 in Leipzig, Monkfish Equity offers a hands-off investment approach, providing funding of €0.5m–€2m to enterprises across market segments in Germany, other European countries and the US.The firm is run by the co-founders of travel and hotel platform Trivago. Monkfish’s portfolio of 12 companies mainly comprises businesses in the B2C markets. Investments include the $54m Series B round of Austrian marketplace Refurbed in August 2021 and the €8m Series A round of Inne, a German fertility-tracking platform in October 2019.
SkyDeck Berkeley is the startup accelerator initiated by the University of California, Berkeley. It was established to commercialize the university’s research arm and startup ventures of its alumni. It provides non-equity funding assistance, mentorship and networking opportunities, as well as specialist resources for not-for-profit ventures.Since 2012, SkyDeck-backed startups have raised total funding of over $1.47bn, with 17 achieving exits through acquisitions. The accelerator’s investment-arm is Berkeley SkyDeck Fund also invests about $100,000 per startup during the program. Half of the SkyDeck fund’s profits goes to UC Berkeley to support public education projects. The fund is run by Chon Tang as managing partner and Brian Bordley as principal. Contributors to the fund include private individuals, corporations and VCs like Sequoia Capital, Sierra Ventures and Canvas Ventures.
SkyDeck Berkeley is the startup accelerator initiated by the University of California, Berkeley. It was established to commercialize the university’s research arm and startup ventures of its alumni. It provides non-equity funding assistance, mentorship and networking opportunities, as well as specialist resources for not-for-profit ventures.Since 2012, SkyDeck-backed startups have raised total funding of over $1.47bn, with 17 achieving exits through acquisitions. The accelerator’s investment-arm is Berkeley SkyDeck Fund also invests about $100,000 per startup during the program. Half of the SkyDeck fund’s profits goes to UC Berkeley to support public education projects. The fund is run by Chon Tang as managing partner and Brian Bordley as principal. Contributors to the fund include private individuals, corporations and VCs like Sequoia Capital, Sierra Ventures and Canvas Ventures.
OneRagtime is a platform that brings together ventures, startups and advisory services, providing access to capital, industry expertise and operational resources. It also uses a fully-digitalized investment process for its users to carry out due diligence and negotiations. Founded in 2014 by Stéphanie Hospital and Jean-Marie Messier, One Ragtime is headquartered in London with offices in Paris and Barcelona. The company’s mentors include Josep Solé and Laurence Bret, who advise Spanish/Latin American and European technology companies, respectively.
OneRagtime is a platform that brings together ventures, startups and advisory services, providing access to capital, industry expertise and operational resources. It also uses a fully-digitalized investment process for its users to carry out due diligence and negotiations. Founded in 2014 by Stéphanie Hospital and Jean-Marie Messier, One Ragtime is headquartered in London with offices in Paris and Barcelona. The company’s mentors include Josep Solé and Laurence Bret, who advise Spanish/Latin American and European technology companies, respectively.
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) started as a division of the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in 1933, and established as an independent in 1937. As of December 2019, it ranked tenth largest company in the world by revenue. An established multinational automotive manufacturer, Toyota has invested in startups working on everything from online marketing to cybersecurity, placing an focus on new-generation mobility services. In 2019, it invested $600m in Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing, and founded a joint venture to offer car maintenance, insurance and finance services to ride-hailing drivers. Also that year, Toyota invested $500m in Uber for self-driving cars. In early 2020, the auto giant invested $400 in the self-driving startup Pony.ai. Before the investment, the two had already partnered to test self-driving cars on public roads in China.
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) started as a division of the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in 1933, and established as an independent in 1937. As of December 2019, it ranked tenth largest company in the world by revenue. An established multinational automotive manufacturer, Toyota has invested in startups working on everything from online marketing to cybersecurity, placing an focus on new-generation mobility services. In 2019, it invested $600m in Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing, and founded a joint venture to offer car maintenance, insurance and finance services to ride-hailing drivers. Also that year, Toyota invested $500m in Uber for self-driving cars. In early 2020, the auto giant invested $400 in the self-driving startup Pony.ai. Before the investment, the two had already partnered to test self-driving cars on public roads in China.
Lakestar is an international VC firm headquartered in Zurich. Founded in 2012 by Klaus Hommels, the VC has been an active early-stage investor since 2000. Its first fund was established in 2013 to invest in fast-growing tech startups across Europe and the US like Skype, Spotify, Facebook and Airbnb. The firm has offices in Zurich, Berlin, London, New York and Hong Kong with total investments of more than €1bn. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic in February 2020, Lakestar managed to raise a total of $735m for early and growth stage funds to be invested mainly in Europe. One-third of the funds will be designated to early-stage investments and two-thirds to growth-stage companies to drive international expansion. Part of the capital will also be used to strengthen the leadership team.
Lakestar is an international VC firm headquartered in Zurich. Founded in 2012 by Klaus Hommels, the VC has been an active early-stage investor since 2000. Its first fund was established in 2013 to invest in fast-growing tech startups across Europe and the US like Skype, Spotify, Facebook and Airbnb. The firm has offices in Zurich, Berlin, London, New York and Hong Kong with total investments of more than €1bn. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic in February 2020, Lakestar managed to raise a total of $735m for early and growth stage funds to be invested mainly in Europe. One-third of the funds will be designated to early-stage investments and two-thirds to growth-stage companies to drive international expansion. Part of the capital will also be used to strengthen the leadership team.
Adevinta Ventures is the investment arm of the Norway-based Adevinta, a local digital marketplace group operating in 15 countries in Europe, Latin America and North Africa, with 1.5bn monthly visitors. Its leading local brands include Leboncoin in France, InfoJobs in Spain, Subito in Italy and Jofogás in Hungary. In Spain, where its headquarters is in Barcelona, the company includes an umbrella of successful online classified platforms such as Infojobs, Fotocasa, Habitaclia, Milanuncios and Vibbo, counting over 18m active users.Adevinta Ventures invests in startups focused on marketplace and platform space specifically in verticals such as mobility, education and real estate. The fund typically invests in Series A and B rounds backing them also with marketing and data support as well as mentorship. Initial investments go up to €5m with follow-on capacity.
Adevinta Ventures is the investment arm of the Norway-based Adevinta, a local digital marketplace group operating in 15 countries in Europe, Latin America and North Africa, with 1.5bn monthly visitors. Its leading local brands include Leboncoin in France, InfoJobs in Spain, Subito in Italy and Jofogás in Hungary. In Spain, where its headquarters is in Barcelona, the company includes an umbrella of successful online classified platforms such as Infojobs, Fotocasa, Habitaclia, Milanuncios and Vibbo, counting over 18m active users.Adevinta Ventures invests in startups focused on marketplace and platform space specifically in verticals such as mobility, education and real estate. The fund typically invests in Series A and B rounds backing them also with marketing and data support as well as mentorship. Initial investments go up to €5m with follow-on capacity.
Suzhou Wujiang Orient State-Owned Capital Investment Management
Suzhou Wujiang Orient State-Owned Capital Investment Management is a state-owned company established in 2001 in Suzhou with the mission to facilitate industrial development in Wujiang District, Suzhou. It currently manages assets worth over RMB 20bn. It’s also the limited partner of some renowned VC funds including Source Code Capital, Legend Capital, Kinzon Capital and Oriza Holdings. As of May 2021, three of its portfolio companies and 27 of its sub-funds had gone public.While making investments in companies, the investor is more focused on attracting investment firms in Wujiang to offer support to them. Beyond that, it’s also committed to supporting small-sized early-stage startups, so as to bring new blood for industrial development in the region.
Suzhou Wujiang Orient State-Owned Capital Investment Management is a state-owned company established in 2001 in Suzhou with the mission to facilitate industrial development in Wujiang District, Suzhou. It currently manages assets worth over RMB 20bn. It’s also the limited partner of some renowned VC funds including Source Code Capital, Legend Capital, Kinzon Capital and Oriza Holdings. As of May 2021, three of its portfolio companies and 27 of its sub-funds had gone public.While making investments in companies, the investor is more focused on attracting investment firms in Wujiang to offer support to them. Beyond that, it’s also committed to supporting small-sized early-stage startups, so as to bring new blood for industrial development in the region.
Founded under a different name in 2002, the company became UCAR in 2016. A comprehensive car services provider, it now operates in nearly 300 cities across China. It has served around 60 million Chinese users and manages a total of 400,000 vehicles. UCAR has four business units: car rental service provider zuche.com, chauffeured car service provider 10101111.com, auto e-commerce platform maimaiche.com and automotive financing service platform carbank.cn. It invests in automotive businesses and startups.
Founded under a different name in 2002, the company became UCAR in 2016. A comprehensive car services provider, it now operates in nearly 300 cities across China. It has served around 60 million Chinese users and manages a total of 400,000 vehicles. UCAR has four business units: car rental service provider zuche.com, chauffeured car service provider 10101111.com, auto e-commerce platform maimaiche.com and automotive financing service platform carbank.cn. It invests in automotive businesses and startups.
Gerard Olivé is a serial entrepreneur based in Barcelona. He is currently the co-CEO and co-founder of Antai Venture Builder, in charge of a multimillion-euro advertising inventory. He graduated in Audiovisual Communications at Barcelona's Ramon Llull University. As an angel investor, Olivé made his first disclosed investment in 2016 when he participated in the pre-seed and subsequent seed funding rounds of Spanish femtech WOOM. He founded BeRepublic, a strategic consulting firm specializing in digital businesses in southern Europe and Latin America. In 2015, he co-founded BeAgency, an interactive marketing agency with offices in Barcelona and Madrid. He is also a co-founder and mentor of Connector Startup Accelerator. He has also co-founded startups like Wallapop, Glovo, CornerJob, Deliberry, Shoppiday, Shopery, BePretty, Mascoteros, Marmota, Havet, Prontopiso, Medox and Trendier.
Gerard Olivé is a serial entrepreneur based in Barcelona. He is currently the co-CEO and co-founder of Antai Venture Builder, in charge of a multimillion-euro advertising inventory. He graduated in Audiovisual Communications at Barcelona's Ramon Llull University. As an angel investor, Olivé made his first disclosed investment in 2016 when he participated in the pre-seed and subsequent seed funding rounds of Spanish femtech WOOM. He founded BeRepublic, a strategic consulting firm specializing in digital businesses in southern Europe and Latin America. In 2015, he co-founded BeAgency, an interactive marketing agency with offices in Barcelona and Madrid. He is also a co-founder and mentor of Connector Startup Accelerator. He has also co-founded startups like Wallapop, Glovo, CornerJob, Deliberry, Shoppiday, Shopery, BePretty, Mascoteros, Marmota, Havet, Prontopiso, Medox and Trendier.
Portugal's Prodsmart takes AI, IoT-based manufacturing to US factories
Smart factories can cut wastage by 80% and improve inventory, production and supply chains, tackling US$200 billion worth of losses
Ricult: Providing smallholder farmers easier access to capital
Based in Pakistan and Thailand, Ricult’s mobile app platform provides advanced weather forecasting, easy loan applications and direct market access to help farmers increase productivity and profits
Forward Fooding: Ranking the world's agrifood startups on success and sustainability
The collaborative platform has opened applications for its FoodTech500 global ranking of agrifood startups; counts over 7,000 startups and scaleups mapped so far
Ciweishixi: HR startup helps Chinese youth pursue rewarding careers
Ciweishixi uses the Western internship model to help young people discover their true passion, online and offline
Alodokter wants personalised healthcare on tap
The Indonesian healthcare startup recently got a US$9 million Series B funding for expansion.
Xu Jinghong: Champion of young entrepreneurs and high-tech startups
Under Xu Jinghong’s leadership, Tsinghua Holdings grew its assets sevenfold and incubated over 10,000 businesses. In his new role as VC investor, Xu wants to nurture startups into future global leaders
Renewable energy crowdfunding platform Fundeen eyes 2019 profit amid sector boom
The young Spanish startup is eyeing projects worth €220 million by 2023, while cutting CO2 emissions equivalent to 1.3 million Madrid-New York flights
Inspired by rowdy teenagers: the Musical.ly story
Now better known as TikTok, the original Musical.ly was the only Chinese social app to have cracked the Western market – before it got snapped up by Bytedance and joined its stable of short video apps
Will China ride into a car-sharing future?
Chinese car-sharing startups face reckoning as more than 500 players crowd into a fast-growing, but young, market
KK Fund, GK Plug and Play Indonesia set up online meets between VCs and startups amid Covid-19
VCs like Sequoia Capital, EV Growth, Monk's Hill Ventures and MDI Ventures are onboard to spot potential investments despite Covid-19 downturn
Carlos Melo Brito: Driving force behind Porto's innovation boom
The professor has overseen the creation and growth of the University of Porto-based UPTEC incubator, birthplace of many of Portugal's most successful startups
SWITCH Singapore: Investors highlight Vietnam startup ecosystem's potential and resilience
The quality of Vietnam’s local talent remains one of its biggest strengths, but foreign investors also need to be patient and be familiar with the local regulatory landscape
This Chinese café startup aims to best Starbucks with “new retail” strategy
Luckin Coffee has gone from scratch to China’s first coffee shop unicorn in less than a year, pouring more than 5 million cups of coffee along the way
Cristina Fonseca: On a one-woman mission to make Portugal more innovative
The co-founder of Portugal's third unicorn, Talkdesk, is now an influential investor and AI authority
How Sequoia Capital China is helping its portfolio startups get through the Covid-19 crisis
The renowned investor is also making big bets on the opportunities that lie head
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