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Cherry Ventures is a Berlin-based early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2012 by Filip Dames, Christian Meermann, and Daniel Glasner. The firm has established itself as one of Europe's leading seed investors, focusing on backing exceptional European founders from the earliest stages. Initially launched as an angel fund, Cherry Ventures has evolved into a prominent venture capital firm that supports startups across various sectors.
As of now, Cherry Ventures manages a portfolio of over 130 companies and operates offices in Berlin, London, and Stockholm. The firm emphasizes its commitment to early-stage investments, particularly in consumer, fintech, and SaaS sectors. Notable milestones include successful exits from companies like FlixBus and Auto1, which have become unicorns in their respective markets.
Cherry Ventures primarily invests in early-stage startups across Europe, with a strong emphasis on seed stage investments. The firm typically writes checks ranging from €500,000 to €5 million, with a sweet spot around €1.5 million for seed investments. Their investment strategy encompasses a variety of sectors, including consumer, fintech, enterprise software, healthtech, and marketplaces.
The firm seeks to partner with passionate and resilient entrepreneurs who demonstrate unique ideas and a clear vision. Cherry Ventures values strong connections and aims to provide support beyond financial investment, fostering a community among founders. Their focus on early-stage investments allows them to engage deeply with portfolio companies, helping them navigate challenges and scale effectively.
Cherry Ventures has built a diverse portfolio of notable companies, including:
These companies represent Cherry Ventures' commitment to investing in innovative solutions across various sectors, showcasing their ability to identify and support high-potential startups.
Filip Dames - Founding Partner. Filip has extensive experience in venture capital and entrepreneurship, having co-founded Cherry Ventures. He has a strong background in supporting early-stage startups and has been involved in numerous successful investments.
Christian Meermann - Founding Partner. Christian brings a wealth of knowledge in the tech industry and has a proven track record of identifying high-potential startups. His expertise lies in scaling businesses and operational management.
Sophia Bendz - Partner. Sophia has a background in entrepreneurship and venture capital, with a focus on consumer and fintech sectors. She is known for her ability to connect founders with valuable resources.
Dinika Mahtani - Partner. Dinika specializes in early-stage investments and has a strong network within the European startup ecosystem. She is dedicated to supporting founders in their growth journeys.
Victor Huerbe - Principal. Victor focuses on sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, leveraging his analytical skills to identify promising startups.
Nadja Reischel - Principal. Nadja has a background in finance and venture capital, with a keen eye for market trends and investment potential.
Alexander Langholz-Baikousis - CFO & Operating Partner. Alexander oversees financial operations and strategic planning, ensuring the firm's investments are well-managed.
Lutz Finger - Venture Partner. Lutz brings extensive experience in data analytics and technology, providing insights into market dynamics and investment strategies.
To pitch to Cherry Ventures, founders should use the contact form available at cherry.vc/contact or email opportunity@cherry.vc. The pitch deck should include a clear overview of the business model, market opportunity, team background, and financial projections. Founders should expect a response within a few weeks, and warm introductions are preferred but not mandatory.
Cherry Ventures runs an annual founders retreat designed to foster connections among founders and provide structured content to support their growth. This retreat includes workshops and discussions led by successful entrepreneurs and operators, offering valuable insights and networking opportunities.
Additionally, the firm produces content such as the Edge Podcast, which features discussions on AI and technology trends, and newsletters that provide regular updates on their investments and insights into the startup ecosystem.
In recent months, Cherry Ventures has continued to expand its portfolio, actively supporting over 130 companies across Europe. Notable investments include FlixBus and Auto1, both of which have achieved unicorn status. The firm has also hosted its annual founders retreat, bringing together over 100 founders to share experiences and strategies for scaling their companies.
Cherry Ventures remains committed to its mission of backing exceptional European founders and has been recognized as one of the most respected early-stage VCs in the region. Their focus on consumer, fintech, and SaaS sectors continues to drive their investment strategy.
What are Cherry Ventures' investment criteria?
Cherry Ventures focuses on early-stage investments in Europe, primarily targeting seed stage startups. They look for exceptional founders with unique ideas, a clear vision, and the resilience to navigate challenges. The firm invests across various sectors, including consumer, fintech, and SaaS.
How can I apply or pitch to Cherry Ventures?
Founders can pitch to Cherry Ventures through their website at cherry.vc/contact or by emailing opportunity@cherry.vc. They encourage detailed pitches that highlight the startup's vision, market potential, and team background.
What makes Cherry Ventures different from other VCs?
Cherry Ventures is known for its strong operator network and founder community, particularly in Berlin and the broader European ecosystem. They emphasize support beyond financial investment, helping founders connect with resources and expertise.
What is the geographic scope of Cherry Ventures?
The firm focuses exclusively on European startups, investing in companies across various countries within the continent.
What is the typical fund size and check size for investments?
Cherry Ventures typically invests between €500,000 and €5 million, with a sweet spot around €1.5 million for seed investments. They have a strong focus on early-stage funding.
What kind of post-investment involvement does Cherry Ventures have?
Cherry Ventures actively supports its portfolio companies through mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources to help them scale. They prioritize building strong relationships with founders to facilitate growth.
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