Holnest
Description
Holnest is the family office of Jean-Michel Aulas, a prominent French entrepreneur known for founding the software company Cegid and his long tenure as president of Olympique Lyonnais. Based in Lyon, France, Holnest operates as a diversified investment vehicle, extending beyond the typical scope of a traditional venture capital firm. It leverages proprietary capital to invest across various sectors, including technology, sports, media, and real estate, demonstrating a strategic interest in areas undergoing significant digital transformation.
The firm's investment strategy is flexible, supporting companies at different stages of development, from early-stage startups to more mature scale-ups and established businesses. Holnest seeks to partner with ambitious entrepreneurs, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and access to its extensive network. Their focus areas often include innovative solutions in sports tech, proptech, and enterprise software, reflecting the founder's background and expertise.
Holnest has built a notable portfolio, having made over 20 participations in various companies since its inception. Their typical equity investment per company ranges from €500,000 to €5,000,000, allowing them to participate in a wide array of funding rounds, from seed to growth stages. This approach underscores their commitment to fostering innovation and growth within the French and broader European entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Investor Profile
Holnest has backed more than 22 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 3 rounds, about 14% of its total and boasts 2 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series Unknown, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in France.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Information Technology, SaaS.
- Typical check size: $500K – $5M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (50%)
- Series Unknown (27%)
- Series A (18%)
- Pre Seed (5%)
Country Focus
- France (100%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Information Technology
- Saas
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- E-commerce
- Analytics
- Machine Learning
- Food And Beverage
- Big Data
- It Infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.
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