
Discovery Ventures
Description
Discovery Ventures is a Berlin, Germany-based micro venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments. The firm primarily targets pre-seed and seed-stage technology companies globally, positioning itself as an initial capital provider for promising entrepreneurs. Their strategic location in Berlin allows them to tap into Europe's vibrant startup ecosystem while maintaining a broad, international investment scope.
While sector-agnostic in its approach, Discovery Ventures demonstrates a keen interest in specific technology verticals. Their portfolio frequently features companies operating in deep tech, artificial intelligence (AI), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and marketplace models. This focused yet flexible strategy enables them to support a diverse range of innovative startups, from complex technological breakthroughs to scalable digital platforms. They emphasize backing founders with strong vision and and execution capabilities, aiming to be more than just a capital source.
The firm's typical initial investment ranges from €100,000 to €500,000. Converting this to US dollars, their first cheques generally fall between approximately $108,000 and $540,000, providing crucial early capital for startups to validate concepts, build initial products, and achieve key milestones. Discovery Ventures aims to establish long-term partnerships with its portfolio companies, often participating in subsequent funding rounds to support their growth trajectory.
Their model as a micro VC allows for agile decision-making and a hands-on approach with their portfolio companies. By focusing on early-stage ventures, Discovery Ventures seeks to identify and nurture disruptive technologies and business models from their nascent stages, contributing to their development and eventual market penetration. They leverage their network and expertise to assist founders beyond just financial investment, offering strategic guidance and operational support.
Investor Profile
Discovery Ventures has backed more than 36 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 1 rounds, about 3% of its total and boasts 3 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Pre Seed rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Germany, United Kingdom, United States.
- Strong thematic focus on Financial Services, FinTech, Software.
- Typical check size: $108K – $540K.
Stage Focus
- Seed (56%)
- Series A (17%)
- Pre Seed (17%)
- Series B (6%)
- Series Unknown (6%)
Country Focus
- Germany (67%)
- United Kingdom (11%)
- United States (8%)
- France (6%)
- Hungary (3%)
- India (3%)
- Finland (3%)
Industry Focus
- Financial Services
- Fintech
- Software
- Information Technology
- Machine Learning
- E-commerce
- Payments
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Food And Beverage
- Blockchain
Frequently Asked Questions
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