
Innovation Fund
Description
Innovation Fund, based in Brussels, Belgium, is a specialized venture capital fund dedicated to fostering innovation within the chemistry and materials science sectors. Established with a clear mandate to support deep tech startups, the fund primarily targets companies developing groundbreaking sustainable solutions and industrial applications. Its unique positioning allows it to leverage a deep understanding of complex scientific and engineering challenges, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance to its portfolio companies. The fund plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between scientific discovery and market-ready products, particularly in areas critical for the transition to a circular economy and advanced manufacturing.
The investment strategy of Innovation Fund is centered on early-stage companies, typically from seed to Series A rounds, that possess strong intellectual property and a clear path to industrialization. They look for ventures that can significantly impact industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, biotechnology, and sustainable technologies. Beyond financial investment, Innovation Fund actively supports its portfolio companies through strategic advice, access to its extensive network of industry experts, corporate partners, and research institutions. This hands-on approach aims to accelerate technological development, facilitate market entry, and scale operations, ensuring that innovative solutions reach their full potential.
Innovation Fund typically deploys initial investments ranging from €500,000 to €2.5 million, which translates to approximately $540,000 to $2.7 million USD based on recent exchange rates. This initial capital is designed to support critical milestones such as product development, pilot projects, and market validation. The fund also reserves significant capital for follow-on rounds, potentially investing up to €5 million (approximately $5.4 million USD) in a single company over its lifecycle, demonstrating a long-term commitment to its most promising ventures. This strategic capital deployment enables portfolio companies to scale their operations and achieve substantial growth, contributing to the development of a robust deep tech ecosystem in Belgium and beyond.
Investor Profile
Innovation Fund has backed more than 30 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 8 rounds, about 27% of its total and boasts 5 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series Unknown, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Belgium, France, Switzerland.
- Strong thematic focus on Health Care, Biotechnology, Manufacturing.
- Typical check size: $540K – $2.7M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (37%)
- Series Unknown (37%)
- Series B (13%)
- Series A (13%)
Country Focus
- Belgium (70%)
- France (17%)
- Switzerland (7%)
- Luxembourg (3%)
- United States (3%)
Industry Focus
- Health Care
- Biotechnology
- Manufacturing
- Chemical
- Information Technology
- Service Industry
- Internet Of Things
- Software
- Life Science
- Industrial
Frequently Asked Questions
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