
Principia SGR
Description
Principia SGR is a prominent Italian venture capital firm based in Milan, established in 2004. It operates as an independent asset management company specializing in closed-end investment funds dedicated to venture capital and private equity. The firm manages two primary funds, Principia II and Principia III (Digital), with combined commitments totaling approximately €90 million. This positions Principia SGR as a significant and long-standing player in the Italian innovation ecosystem, focusing on nurturing early and growth-stage companies.
Principia SGR primarily targets innovative companies across early-stage and growth-stage phases. Their investment thesis is strongly centered on the digital sector, as evidenced by both funds having a significant or exclusive focus on digital ventures. Principia II, launched in 2007 with €40 million in commitments, targets innovative SMEs with a digital emphasis. Principia III (Digital), established in 2013 with €50 million in commitments, is exclusively dedicated to digital companies. The firm seeks to invest in companies demonstrating strong growth potential and disruptive technologies within the digital landscape, reflecting a strategic commitment to the evolving tech market.
While specific initial cheque sizes are not explicitly published, based on their fund sizes and typical European early-to-growth stage VC practices, Principia SGR's first investments generally range from approximately €500,000 to €3,000,000. These figures translate to roughly $540,000 to $3,240,000 USD, with potential for larger follow-on investments as portfolio companies mature. Principia SGR is known for its active role in supporting its portfolio companies beyond capital, leveraging its network and expertise to foster growth. Their long-standing presence since 2004 underscores their commitment to nurturing the Italian tech and digital startup scene, contributing to the development of several successful ventures.
Investor Profile
Principia SGR has backed more than 47 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 20 rounds, about 43% of its total and boasts 8 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series Unknown, Series A, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Italy, France, United States.
- Strong thematic focus on Health Care, Software, Biotechnology.
- Typical check size: $500K – $3M.
Stage Focus
- Series Unknown (49%)
- Series A (23%)
- Seed (11%)
- Series C (4%)
- Series B (4%)
- Debt Financing (2%)
- Series D (2%)
- Series E (2%)
- Convertible Note (2%)
Country Focus
- Italy (74%)
- France (9%)
- United States (6%)
- United Kingdom (6%)
- Brazil (2%)
- Canada (2%)
Industry Focus
- Health Care
- Software
- Biotechnology
- E-commerce
- Medical Device
- Life Science
- Hardware
- Biopharma
- Advertising
- Shopping
Frequently Asked Questions
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