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Born2Grow

Europe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, Heilbronn

Description

Born2Grow is a Heilbronn, Germany-based venture capital fund operating as the strategic investment arm of the Schwarz Group, one of the world's largest retail groups, encompassing brands like Lidl and Kaufland. This unique position allows Born2Grow to not only provide capital but also offer startups unparalleled access to the vast infrastructure, extensive network, and deep industry expertise of a global retail powerhouse. The fund's primary objective is to identify and back innovative early-stage companies that hold strategic relevance for the Schwarz Group's current and future business interests, fostering synergies and driving innovation within its ecosystem.

The fund primarily targets startups in Pre-Seed, Seed, and early Series A stages. Born2Grow's investment thesis centers on sectors critical to the evolution of retail and logistics, including Retail Tech, Logistics Tech, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Customer Experience, Future of Work, Food Tech, and the Circular Economy. Initial investments typically range from approximately $540,000 to $3,240,000, reflecting their commitment to providing substantial early-stage capital to promising ventures.

Beyond the initial investment, Born2Grow is prepared to support its portfolio companies through subsequent funding rounds, demonstrating a long-term commitment to their growth. The fund has the capacity to invest up to approximately $10,800,000 over the entire lifecycle of a startup, enabling significant scaling. This patient capital approach, combined with the strategic advantages derived from its affiliation with the Schwarz Group, positions Born2Grow as a highly attractive partner for founders looking to disrupt or enhance the retail and logistics landscape.

Investor Profile

Born2Grow has backed more than 26 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 7 rounds, about 27% of its total and boasts 6 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in Germany, Finland, United States.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Robotics, Manufacturing.
  • Typical check size: $540K – $3.2M.

Stage Focus

  • Seed (65%)
  • Series A (19%)
  • Series B (8%)
  • Pre Seed (4%)
  • Series Unknown (4%)

Country Focus

  • Germany (88%)
  • Finland (8%)
  • United States (4%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Robotics
  • Manufacturing
  • Industrial Automation
  • Information Technology
  • Health Care
  • Medical
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Medical Device
  • Electronics
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Born2Grow frequently co-invest with?

Innovestor
Europe, Southern Finland, Finland, Helsinki
Co-Investments: 2
KfW
Europe, Hessen, Germany, Frankfurt
Co-Investments: 2
HTGF | High-Tech Gruenderfonds
Europe, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, Bonn
Co-Investments: 11
Rhapsody Venture Partners
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 1
Archimedes New Ventures
Europe, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, Bielefeld
Co-Investments: 2
Bayern Kapital
Europe, Bayern, Germany, Landshut
Co-Investments: 2
Mountain Partners
Europe, Zurich, Switzerland, Zürich
Co-Investments: 2
Siemens Technology Accelerator
Europe, Bayern, Germany, Munich
Co-Investments: 3
Rheingau Founders
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Co-Investments: 5
GS
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Co-Investments: 2

Which angels does Born2Grow often collaborate with?

CH
Europe, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, Gütersloh
Shared Deals: 1
EK
Europe, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, Bielefeld
Shared Deals: 1
RR
Europe, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, Paderborn
Shared Deals: 1
ML
Europe, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, Bielefeld
Shared Deals: 1
RW
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Shared Deals: 1
RD
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Shared Deals: 2
FF
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Shared Deals: 1
MS
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Shared Deals: 1
ML
Europe, Hovedstaden, Denmark, Copenhagen
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Born2Grow?

Unchained Robotics

Paderborn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Automation.Simplified.Standardized. Unchained Robotics is the one-stop-platform for industrial automation in SME factories across Europe.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Industrial AutomationRoboticsSoftware
SeedNov 29, 2023
Amount Raised: $6,035,652
SpinDrive

Lappeenranta, Southern Finland, Finland

SpinDrive creates customized levitation technology pushing energy efficiency to the maximum level and promoting oil-free solutions.

CleanTechElectronicsEnergy
Series ANov 8, 2023
Amount Raised: $4,070,314
Semorai

Heilbronn, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Semorai - more freedom for engineers

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Service IndustrySoftware
Pre SeedMay 9, 2023
Amount Raised: $219,293
traplinked

Nürnberg, Bayern, Germany

traplinked is a pest control company.

AppsEnvironmental ConsultingExtermination Service
SeedFeb 22, 2023
Amount Raised: $2,439,242
Doinstruct

Osnabrück, Niedersachsen, Germany

Doinstruct is a mobile training solution for frontline workers.

E-LearningSoftware
SeedAug 9, 2022
eeden

Münster, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Cutting-edge recycling technology for textiles.

FashionManufacturingRecyclingTextiles
SeedJun 22, 2022
Mila

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Mila is a crowd services platform.

Collaborative ConsumptionCrowdsourcingLocation Based ServicesMobile
SeedJun 7, 2022
Amount Raised: $2,000,000
Fyrfeed

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Fyrfeed is an AI-powered subscription service delivering high-quality, ready-to-publish content for b2b customers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Content MarketingMachine LearningMarketingMarketing AutomationSoftware
SeedMay 17, 2022
Amount Raised: $2,109,800
Unchained Robotics

Paderborn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Automation.Simplified.Standardized. Unchained Robotics is the one-stop-platform for industrial automation in SME factories across Europe.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Industrial AutomationRoboticsSoftware
SeedJan 27, 2022
Amount Raised: $1,894,758
MetisMotion

Munich, Bayern, Germany

MetisMotion is innovative technology enables ultra-light and dynamic actuators.

Industrial AutomationInformation TechnologyManufacturingRobotics
SeedJan 19, 2022
Amount Raised: $3,402,749