Kernel Capital logo

Kernel Capital

Europe, Cork, Ireland, Cork

Description

Kernel Capital is a prominent venture capital firm headquartered in Cork, Ireland, with additional offices in Dublin and Belfast. It serves as the dedicated manager of The Bank of Ireland Kernel Capital Venture Funds, a significant partnership that underpins its investment activities across Ireland and the UK. The firm has established itself as a key player in the Irish and Northern Irish venture ecosystems, providing crucial capital and strategic support to emerging businesses.

The firm's investment strategy is sharply focused on high-growth technology and life science companies. Kernel Capital targets businesses that demonstrate strong potential for innovation and scalability, investing across various stages from early-stage development through to growth equity rounds. Typically, Kernel Capital's initial investment cheques range from approximately $1.08 million to $5.4 million, reflecting their commitment to providing substantial early-stage and growth capital to promising ventures. They often engage in follow-on investments, supporting their portfolio companies through subsequent funding rounds as they scale.

With a robust track record spanning several decades, Kernel Capital has built an extensive portfolio of over 100 companies, contributing significantly to the development of the knowledge economy in Ireland and beyond. The firm manages total funds exceeding $270 million, underscoring its substantial financial capacity and influence within the venture capital landscape. Kernel Capital is known for its hands-on approach, working closely with management teams to accelerate growth and achieve successful exits, thereby delivering strong returns for its investors and fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial environment.

Investor Profile

Kernel Capital has backed more than 87 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 45 rounds, about 52% of its total and boasts 16 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series Unknown, Seed, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in Ireland, United Kingdom, France.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Health Care, Information Technology.
  • Led 1 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $1.1M – $5.4M.

Stage Focus

  • Series Unknown (61%)
  • Seed (23%)
  • Series A (10%)
  • Series B (3%)
  • Series C (1%)
  • Private Equity (1%)

Country Focus

  • Ireland (68%)
  • United Kingdom (22%)
  • France (5%)
  • United States (3%)
  • Canada (1%)
  • Singapore (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Health Care
  • Information Technology
  • Biotechnology
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical
  • Health Diagnostics
  • Fintech
  • Mobile
  • Electronics
circle-line
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Who does Kernel Capital frequently co-invest with?

Clarendon Fund Managers
Europe, Belfast, United Kingdom, Belfast
Co-Investments: 3
Act Venture Capital
Europe, Dublin, Ireland, Dublin
Co-Investments: 3
ADV
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 3
Wharton Asset Management Company Limited
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 4
IC
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 4
Sure Valley Ventures
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 3
Enterprise Ireland
Europe, Dublin, Ireland, Dublin
Co-Investments: 36
Alven
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 3
Co-Investments: 4
C
Europe, Belfast, United Kingdom, Belfast
Co-Investments: 3

Which angels does Kernel Capital often collaborate with?

Shared Deals: 1
EL
Europe, Dublin, Ireland
Shared Deals: 1
BL
Europe, Ireland
Shared Deals: 1
JK
Europe, Dublin, Ireland, Dublin
Shared Deals: 1
HL
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Shared Deals: 1
NH
Europe, Dublin, Ireland, Dublin
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1
MB
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1
CC
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Kernel Capital?

preico

Singapore, Central Region, Singapore

Preico Network empowers Web2 and Web3 developers to create, own, and monetize crypto-native AI models on a decentralized platform

Cryptocurrency
SeedNov 7, 2024
Amount Raised: $2,000,000
Pretto

Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Pretto is making mortgages simple thanks to artificial intelligence and product design.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)FinTechInternet
Series UnknownOct 15, 2024
Amount Raised: $15,236,752
Cirdan

Lisburn, Lisburn, United Kingdom

Cirdan designs, manufactures, and supplies laboratory information systems.

Information TechnologyManufacturingMedical DeviceSoftwareWeb Development
Series UnknownOct 12, 2023
Amount Raised: $2,802,049
Pilot Photonics

Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland

Pilot Photonics develops comb source laser technology for the communications, space, and industrial markets.

EnterpriseManufacturingTelecommunications
Series UnknownMar 24, 2022
Amount Raised: $1,981,541
Causeway Sensors

Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom

A spin-out from Queen’s University Belfast

AnalyticsBig DataBiotechnologyHealth CareHealth DiagnosticsNanotechnology
Series UnknownMar 15, 2022
Amount Raised: $1,974,150
Pretto

Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Pretto is making mortgages simple thanks to artificial intelligence and product design.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)FinTechInternet
Series BJan 28, 2022
Amount Raised: $33,448,209
AltraTech

Shannon, Clare, Ireland

Altratech Limited designs biosensors and semiconductor chips for DNA testing of food traceability for agri business.

BiotechnologyGeneticsHospitalitySemiconductor
Series UnknownDec 13, 2021
Amount Raised: $3,949,924
Nova Leah

Dundalk, Louth, Ireland

Nova Leah develop expert cybersecurity risk assessment solutions specific for connected medical devices.

ComplianceCyber SecurityEnterprise SoftwareHealth CareMedical DeviceRisk Management
Series UnknownDec 7, 2021
B-Secur

Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom

Experts in ECG Technology- from electrode design to Algorithms. We are on a mission to enable Medical- Grade ECG Everywhere.

BiometricsHealth CareHealth DiagnosticsMedicalSecuritySoftwareWellness
Series UnknownNov 4, 2021
Amount Raised: $11,887,073
Kianda

Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Kianda is a cloud-based business process automation platform.

Business Process Automation (BPA)Information TechnologySaaS
SeedOct 18, 2021
Amount Raised: $1,742,033