
Startup Wise Guys
Description
Startup Wise Guys is a leading European accelerator and early-stage venture capital firm, headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, with a significant presence across the continent and beyond. Renowned for its intensive accelerator programs, the firm primarily targets pre-seed and seed-stage startups, offering a blend of capital, mentorship, and a robust network. Its investment thesis is broad yet focused, spanning high-growth sectors such as B2B SaaS, FinTech, CyberTech, PropTech, XR, and Sustainability, always seeking scalable business models with global potential.
Through their structured accelerator programs, Startup Wise Guys typically provides an initial investment designed to kickstart early-stage ventures. This first cheque generally ranges from approximately €65,000, equivalent to about $70,200, up to €100,000, or around $108,000. This initial capital is complemented by a comprehensive 5-month program that includes hands-on training, strategic guidance, and direct access to a wide array of industry experts and potential follow-on investors. The firm's commitment extends beyond the initial investment, as they actively support their portfolio companies in securing subsequent funding rounds.
With an impressive track record, Startup Wise Guys has emerged as one of Europe's most prolific early-stage investors, having invested in over 350 companies from more than 60 nationalities. This extensive portfolio underscores their dedication to fostering a diverse and innovative startup ecosystem. In a significant move to further expand their impact, the firm announced a new €25 million fund in 2022, earmarked to support over 200 additional startups. This strategic capital injection reinforces their mission to identify and nurture promising ventures, preparing them for sustainable growth and market leadership.
Investor Profile
Startup Wise Guys has backed more than 616 startups, with 35 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 133 rounds, about 22% of its total and boasts 8 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Pre Seed, Seed, Convertible Note rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Estonia, Lithuania, United Kingdom.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Information Technology, SaaS.
- Led 6 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $70.2K – $108K.
Stage Focus
- Pre Seed (68%)
- Seed (25%)
- Convertible Note (3%)
- Series Unknown (1%)
- Angel (1%)
- Series A (1%)
Country Focus
- Estonia (28%)
- Lithuania (12%)
- United Kingdom (9%)
- United States (8%)
- Italy (7%)
- Latvia (6%)
- Turkey (3%)
- Austria (2%)
- Ukraine (2%)
- Poland (2%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Information Technology
- Saas
- Fintech
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Financial Services
- Analytics
- E-commerce
- Cyber Security
- Machine Learning
Frequently Asked Questions
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