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Granatus Ventures, founded in 2013, is the first venture capital firm based in Armenia. The firm was established to support startups that harness Armenia's potential as an emerging technology hub. Headquartered in Yerevan, Armenia, Granatus Ventures also has offices in London and Singapore, reflecting its global investment strategy.
With a fund size of $40 million, Granatus Ventures focuses on early-stage investments, specifically in seed, seed-plus, and Series A rounds. The firm has built a diverse portfolio of approximately 36 companies, emphasizing sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, healthcare, education, food-agriculture, and climate technology. Granatus Ventures aims to leverage Armenia's engineering talent to create value-added activities and drive sustainable development.
Notable milestones include the launch of the Granatus Tech4SDG Fund in partnership with the UNDP, which targets technology ventures aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative underscores the firm's commitment to fostering innovation and growth across various sectors.
Granatus Ventures invests in early-stage companies that address fundamental human challenges through deep-tech innovations. The firm emphasizes sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, healthcare, education, food/agriculture, climate technology, and robotics. Investment stages range from seed to Series A, with a global geographic focus that includes Europe and Asia.
The firm seeks to align its investments with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), focusing on problem sets that require advanced technological solutions. Granatus Ventures encourages portfolio companies to establish research and development operations in Armenia, leveraging the country's engineering talent to enhance innovation and operational efficiency.
Granatus Ventures typically provides seed capital and follows up with additional investments as companies mature. The firm values founders who are committed to addressing significant challenges and who are willing to collaborate closely with the Granatus team to drive growth.
Granatus Ventures has a diverse portfolio of 36 companies, including notable names such as:
These companies reflect Granatus Ventures' commitment to investing in sectors that align with its focus on deep-tech solutions and sustainable development.
Manuk Hergnyan - Co-founder & Managing Partner. He founded EV Consulting, which merged into Civitta International in 2021, and has helped Armenian companies raise over $100 million.
Pierre Hennes - Co-founder & Partner. Based in Berlin and Armenia, he has been involved in venture capital and entrepreneurship across Asia, Europe, and the US since 2003, focusing on fintech, software, medical devices, and clean-tech.
Yervand Sarkisyan - Co-founder & Partner. Based in London, he has extensive experience in AI, software, and deep-tech across Europe and the US.
Laura Towart - CEO of Vivan Therapeutics, leading innovative biotech solutions.
Tigran Sloyan - CEO of CodeSignal, focusing on developer skill assessment.
Tigran Petrosyan - CEO of SuperAnnotate, specializing in AI data annotation.
Nitzan Yudan - CEO of Benivo, providing global mobility solutions.
Artavazd Minasyan - CTO of Krisp, known for AI-powered noise cancellation technology.
Vahe Andonians - CTO of Cognaize, developing AI solutions for financial documents.
To pitch Granatus Ventures, founders should visit their website and submit their proposals through the designated channel. It is essential to include a comprehensive deck that outlines the business model, market analysis, and how the startup aligns with the firm's investment focus.
Granatus Ventures prefers pitches that clearly articulate the problem being solved and the innovative solutions being offered. Founders should expect a response within a few weeks, and warm introductions are encouraged to enhance the chances of engagement.
Granatus Ventures has been actively investing in its portfolio, with notable recent activities including SuperAnnotate's successful $36 million Series B funding round announced in 2023. The firm also participated in a $2 million investment round for Emerald and a €4 million investment round for Zoundream.
In April 2019, Granatus Ventures launched the Granatus Tech4SDG Fund in partnership with the UNDP, targeting technology ventures aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative highlights the firm's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting startups that address critical global challenges.
Granatus Ventures continues to expand its portfolio, focusing on deep-tech solutions and leveraging Armenia's engineering talent to create value-added activities in the region.
What are Granatus Ventures' investment criteria?
Granatus Ventures focuses on early-stage companies that leverage deep-tech solutions to address fundamental human challenges. They prioritize sectors such as AI, biotech, healthcare, edtech, food/agriculture, and climate technology.
How can I apply or pitch to Granatus Ventures?
Founders can submit their pitches through the Granatus Ventures website. It is recommended to include a clear business model, market analysis, and how the startup aligns with the firm's investment thesis.
What makes Granatus Ventures different from other VCs?
Granatus Ventures is unique as the first venture capital firm based in Armenia, leveraging local engineering talent and encouraging portfolio companies to establish R&D operations in the country. The firm also aligns its investments with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
What is the geographic scope of Granatus Ventures?
The firm has a global investment focus, with particular attention to startups in Europe and Asia. They actively seek opportunities that can benefit from Armenia's emerging technology ecosystem.
What is the typical check size for investments?
While specific check sizes are not publicly disclosed, Granatus Ventures typically invests in seed and Series A rounds, which generally range from several hundred thousand to a few million dollars.
What kind of support do portfolio companies receive?
Granatus Ventures provides ongoing support beyond initial capital, including mentorship, operational assistance, and follow-on investments as companies grow. The firm fosters a collaborative environment to enhance innovation.
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