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KELES is a venture capital firm founded in October 2024 and based in Luxembourg, with additional offices in Paris, London, and Brussels. The firm focuses on investing in European digital health and techbio companies, particularly those involved in research and development, diagnostics, and patient care. KELES aims to accelerate digital health growth across Europe by integrating traditional healthcare methodologies with innovative digital solutions.
The firm has a target fund size of €250 million and is designed to fill the structural gap in European health venture capital. KELES specifically targets growth-stage companies that have demonstrated profitability and are at a scaling inflection point. The firm operates in high-potential regions in Europe where innovation thrives but funding is limited, emphasizing segments such as R&D, diagnostics, AI imaging, digital medtech, and patient care.
KELES is structured as KELES S.C.Sp., SICAV – RAIF and has a pan-European team that covers France, the UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. The firm is positioned to bridge the gap between startup innovation and international scaling, aiming for a significant impact in the digital health sector.
KELES invests in growth-stage companies that have proven products and initial commercial traction but struggle to access larger growth capital needed for international scaling. The firm targets companies with demonstrated profitability and a clear path to scale-up inflection, focusing on sectors such as digital health, techbio, R&D tools, diagnostics, and patient care pathways. Their investment strategy emphasizes leveraging technology and AI to transform healthcare and improve patient outcomes.
Investment checks range from €8 million to €30 million, allowing KELES to support companies at critical scaling junctures. The firm specifically seeks high-potential regions in Europe where innovation is prevalent but funding is scarce. KELES aims to partner with companies that are not only financially viable but also have the potential for significant global impact.
Laurent Van Lerberghe - Founder & Managing Partner; former Chief Strategy Officer at Sanofi and Commercial VP at Abbott, with extensive experience in healthcare, R&D, AI, and digital health.
David Buller - Managing Partner; co-founder of the Ascension Life Fund, with a background as a healthtech entrepreneur and deep operational experience in digital health.
Pooja Majmudar - Investment Partner; brings expertise in healthcare investments and strategic growth initiatives.
Mike Zurawski - Investment Partner; focuses on identifying and supporting high-potential digital health companies.
Franck Lescure - Venture Partner; provides insights and guidance based on extensive industry experience.
Gianni De Bortoli - Chief Financial Officer; oversees financial operations and fund management.
Alexandre Ziad Karkour - Venture Partner; contributes to investment strategy and portfolio management.
Betina Langemark - Expert Advisor; offers specialized knowledge in digital health trends and market dynamics.
Annette Veltmar - Expert Advisor; provides strategic insights based on her extensive experience in healthcare.
Marie-Flore Nabor - Expert Advisor; focuses on advising portfolio companies on growth strategies and market entry.
Startups interested in pitching to KELES should submit their proposals through the official website at keles.care. It is important to include a comprehensive pitch deck that outlines the business model, market opportunity, and growth strategy. KELES prefers to receive pitches via email at lvl@keles.care, and founders should expect a response within a few weeks. Warm introductions are beneficial but not mandatory.
KELES launched in October 2024, focusing on filling the post-Series A funding gap in European healthcare. The firm is actively promoting its mission to accelerate digital health growth across Europe by integrating traditional healthcare methodologies with innovative digital solutions. As of now, no specific updates on portfolio companies or recent investments have been reported.
In December 2024, KELES appointed several expert advisors, including Annette Veltmar, Betina Langemark, and Marie-Flore Nabor, to enhance their advisory capabilities in the digital health sector.
What are KELES's investment criteria?
KELES focuses on growth-stage companies in the digital health and techbio sectors that have demonstrated profitability and are at a scaling inflection point. The firm looks for companies with proven products and initial commercial traction, particularly those that have difficulty accessing larger growth capital.
How can startups apply or pitch to KELES?
Startups can pitch to KELES through their website at keles.care. It is advisable to include a detailed business plan, highlighting the product's market traction and growth potential. Interested parties can also reach out via email at lvl@keles.care for direct inquiries.
What makes KELES different from other venture capital firms?
KELES specifically targets the post-Series A funding gap in European healthcare, focusing on companies that have proven their model but struggle to secure the necessary growth capital for scaling. Their emphasis on digital health and techbio sectors, combined with a strong management team with extensive industry experience, sets them apart.
What is KELES's geographic scope?
KELES operates across Europe, with a focus on high-potential regions where innovation is thriving but funding is limited. Their team has coverage in France, the UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany.
What is KELES's approach to post-investment involvement?
While specific details on post-investment involvement are not disclosed, KELES aims to provide strategic support to portfolio companies, leveraging their extensive network in the European digital health ecosystem to facilitate growth and scaling.
What is the expected timeline for response after a pitch?
Response times can vary, but startups should expect to hear back within a few weeks after submitting their pitch. It is recommended to follow up if no response is received within this timeframe.
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