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Founded in 2019, Founderful is a venture capital firm based in Switzerland, established by experienced entrepreneurs who understand the challenges faced by startup founders. The firm focuses on supporting early-stage companies, particularly within the Swiss tech ecosystem, by providing financial backing and strategic guidance. Founderful has quickly positioned itself as a leading pre-seed venture capital fund in Switzerland, with a commitment to being the first institutional check for startups.
As of now, Founderful manages a total of $140 million in assets under management (AUM) and has backed over 50 startups. The firm operates from its offices in Zurich and Luxembourg, allowing it to tap into the European technology sector effectively. Notable milestones include the successful closure of its first fund at €85.5 million, which backed 40 startups and generated over €428 million in follow-on funding, creating more than 1,100 jobs.
Founderful primarily invests at the pre-seed stage, acting as the lead investor in the first financing round for startups. Their investment strategy emphasizes founder-friendly conditions, aiming to provide the majority or all of the capital needed for the initial 18-24 months of a startup's development. The firm focuses on technology-driven companies within Switzerland, particularly in sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, industrial technology, B2B software, and consumer tech.
Founderful's investment thesis is centered around backing Swiss founders who are building market-leading global companies. The firm emphasizes being the first institutional check, acting quickly, and demonstrating genuine empathy towards founders. This approach allows them to support startups effectively during their critical early stages, ensuring they have the resources and guidance necessary to succeed.
Founderful has backed over 50 startups, showcasing a diverse portfolio that includes notable companies such as:
In addition to these active investments, Founderful has achieved notable exits with companies such as:
Alex Stöckl: Founding Partner. Alex has a background as the former Switzerland Lead at Creathor Ventures and has extensive experience in venture capital and entrepreneurship.
Lukas Weder: Founding Partner. Lukas co-founded EAT.ch, a Swiss food delivery service acquired by Takeaway, and brings valuable insights from his entrepreneurial journey.
Pascal Mathis: Founding Partner. Pascal co-founded GetYourGuide, a Swiss unicorn, and has a strong track record in scaling startups.
Gabriel Wildberger: Partner & General Counsel. Gabriel oversees legal matters and has a background in corporate law, ensuring compliance and governance for portfolio companies.
Edouard Treccani: Partner. Edouard contributes his expertise in venture capital and startup growth strategies.
Emily Kruse: Chief Financial Officer. Emily manages financial operations and strategy, ensuring the firm's financial health.
Antonia Albert: Principal. Antonia focuses on sourcing and evaluating new investment opportunities.
Michaela Ulicna: Head of Talent. Michaela supports portfolio companies in building strong teams and company cultures.
Maxime Baube: Research Analyst. Maxime conducts market research and analysis to support investment decisions.
Stefanie Palzer: Legal Intern. Stefanie assists with legal research and documentation.
To pitch to Founderful, founders should visit their website at founderful.com and submit their pitch deck via email at takeoff@founderful.com. The pitch deck should include a clear overview of the business model, market opportunity, and team background. Founderful prefers concise and well-structured presentations that highlight the startup's unique value proposition.
Response times can vary, but founders can generally expect feedback within a few weeks. Warm introductions are beneficial but not mandatory for submission.
In February 2024, Founderful rebranded from Wingman Ventures, reflecting its commitment to supporting Swiss founders. The firm closed its second fund at $140 million, allowing it to expand its investment capacity and support more startups in their early stages.
Founderful has backed over 50 startups to date, with notable exits including Ava, Selfnation, Insightness, and CyanoGuard. The firm continues to focus on the Swiss tech ecosystem, providing essential resources and guidance to emerging companies.
What are Founderful's investment criteria?
Founderful primarily invests in early-stage technology-driven companies at the pre-seed stage. They focus on startups based in Switzerland, particularly in sectors such as AI, robotics, industrial technology, B2B software, and consumer tech. The firm aims to provide the majority or all of the capital needed for the initial 18-24 months of development.
How can I apply or pitch to Founderful?
Founders can pitch to Founderful through their website at founderful.com. They encourage startups to reach out via email at takeoff@founderful.com for initial discussions and to submit their pitch decks.
What makes Founderful different from other venture capital firms?
Founderful emphasizes a founder-friendly approach, acting as the first institutional check and providing not only financial support but also strategic guidance tailored to the unique challenges faced by startups. The team consists of experienced operators across various domains, ensuring comprehensive support.
What is the geographic scope of Founderful's investments?
Founderful primarily invests in startups based in Switzerland, but they also have a broader interest in the European technology sector. Their offices in Zurich and Luxembourg facilitate access to a wider network of founders and investors.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Founderful typically provides the majority or all of the capital needed for the initial financing round, which can vary based on the specific needs of the startup. They focus on pre-seed and seed-plus funding stages, with investments tailored to support the first 18-24 months of development.
What kind of post-investment involvement does Founderful have?
Founderful is actively involved with its portfolio companies, offering strategic guidance and operational support. The firm’s team includes experts in finance, legal, marketing, and branding, ensuring that startups receive the necessary resources to navigate their growth challenges.
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