U-Start

U-Start is a professional advisory firm based in Milan, Italy, specializing in connecting private investors with high-growth technology companies. Unlike a traditional venture capital fund that invests directly from its own balance sheet, U-Start operates as an intermediary, structuring deals and facilitating investments primarily from a robust network of high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Their core mission is to bridge the gap between promising tech startups seeking capital and private investors looking for curated opportunities in the innovation ecosystem.

The firm's investment scope is geographically broad, focusing on tech companies across Europe, Israel, and the United States. U-Start typically targets companies at the Series A stage and beyond, though they occasionally engage with late-seed opportunities that demonstrate significant potential. The deal sizes they facilitate for their network of investors generally range from approximately $540,000 (€500,000) to $5.4 million (€5 million). This range represents the total investment rounds they help structure, providing substantial capital injections for scaling startups.

U-Start's distinctive model relies heavily on its extensive network, which reportedly comprises over 1,000 private investors. This vast network allows them to offer a diverse pool of capital to startups, while simultaneously providing their investors with a professionally vetted pipeline of investment opportunities. They offer comprehensive support throughout the investment process, including deal sourcing, due diligence, and transaction execution, ensuring a streamlined experience for both entrepreneurs and investors. This advisory approach positions U-Start as a key facilitator in the private tech investment landscape, particularly for those seeking to access capital beyond traditional institutional funds.