Discover if this is a suitable investor for your startup. If they are we'll make a warm introduction for free. Otherwise, we'll connect you with matching investors.
Insiders is a venture capital organization founded by Niccolò Maisto and Michele Attisani, who previously built FACEIT, a platform that grew to over 30 million users and was sold for $1.5 billion in a merger with ESL in 2022. The firm is headquartered in Europe and focuses on supporting early-stage companies by leveraging the founders' extensive experience in scaling businesses. This unique background allows Insiders to provide more than just capital; they offer strategic support and valuable connections to help founders grow their businesses from seed to scale.
Since its inception, Insiders has established itself as a boutique early-stage venture capital firm with a global perspective while being rooted in Europe. The organization emphasizes speed and conviction in their investment decisions, which is critical in the fast-paced tech landscape. Insiders has a diverse portfolio that includes notable companies and has achieved significant milestones, including successful exits in the fintech and gaming sectors.
Insiders invests primarily in early-stage companies, particularly in the esports and gaming sectors, but their investment strategy also encompasses AI, SaaS, fintech, and automation. The firm operates with a global perspective while being rooted in Europe, allowing them to tap into a wide range of opportunities. Their investment thesis emphasizes a founder-led, operator-first approach, which prioritizes active involvement in the growth of portfolio companies rather than merely providing capital.
The firm typically engages in pre-seed and seed stage investments, focusing on companies that demonstrate potential for rapid growth. Insiders seeks to partner with founders who are not only innovative but also possess a strong operational background. They value speed and conviction in their investment decisions, which enables them to act quickly in securing promising opportunities.
Insiders has a diverse portfolio that includes notable investments such as:
In addition to these active investments, Insiders has notable exits including TrueLayer, an open banking infrastructure provider that raised over $130 million, Scalapay, a buy now, pay later service with a peak valuation of over $700 million, and Griffin, a UK banking-as-a-service platform that raised $50 million. These successful exits highlight the firm's ability to identify and nurture high-potential companies.
Niccolò Maisto - General Partner; co-founder of FACEIT, with extensive experience in scaling tech companies.
Michele Attisani - General Partner; co-founder of FACEIT and active through Founders Pledge, bringing a wealth of operational expertise.
Jeff Forrest - Investment Partner; experienced in early-stage investments and portfolio management.
Pietro Pedersoli - Senior Associate; involved in deal sourcing and portfolio support.
Cecilia Braggiotti - Venture Partner; focuses on strategic partnerships and growth initiatives.
Mirta Rotondo - Brand & Experience Director; enhances brand strategy and portfolio visibility.
Lee Greening - Finance Director; manages financial operations and fund administration.
To pitch to Insiders, founders should visit their website at insiders.vc. It is advisable to include a comprehensive business plan in the pitch deck, highlighting the startup's unique value proposition and growth potential. Insiders values speed in decision-making, so founders can expect a relatively quick response time after submission.
Warm introductions are preferred, but not mandatory. Founders should ensure their pitch clearly outlines how their startup aligns with Insiders' investment focus and what specific support they seek from the firm.
In recent months, Insiders has made notable investments in early-stage companies, including GETPAVO.AI, which focuses on AI-driven solutions. They continue to support FACEIT, the esports platform they previously built, which remains a significant player in the gaming market.
Insiders has also been recognized for their successful exits, including TrueLayer, Scalapay, and Griffin, showcasing their ability to identify and nurture high-potential startups.
What are Insiders' investment criteria?
Insiders focuses on early-stage investments in sectors such as AI, SaaS, fintech, and gaming. They prefer companies that demonstrate strong growth potential and have founders with operational experience.
How can I apply or pitch to Insiders?
Founders can pitch their ideas through the Insiders website at insiders.vc. It is recommended to provide a clear business plan and demonstrate the potential for rapid growth.
What makes Insiders different from other VC firms?
Insiders is founded by entrepreneurs who have successfully built and exited companies. This unique perspective allows them to provide not just capital but also operational support and strategic guidance to their portfolio companies.
What is Insiders' geographic scope?
While Insiders is rooted in Europe, they maintain a global investment mandate, allowing them to invest in promising startups from various regions.
What is the typical fund size and check size for investments?
Specific fund size details are not disclosed, but Insiders typically invests at the pre-seed and seed stages, with check sizes aligned with early-stage funding rounds.
What kind of post-investment involvement can founders expect?
Insiders emphasizes a hands-on approach, providing operational support and strategic connections to help portfolio companies scale effectively. They prioritize active involvement in the growth journey of their investments.
All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and brands does not imply endorsement.