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Look Up Ventures is a venture capital organization established to support early-stage companies in the United States. Founded with the mission to assist entrepreneurs, the firm emphasizes business development and innovation. The name derives from the film "Don't Look Up," reflecting a focus on addressing climate urgency through investment.
Currently, Look Up Ventures operates with a team of experienced professionals, including co-founders Tommy Ahlers and Nicolaj Reffstrup, who bring extensive backgrounds in technology and brand building. The firm invests from its own balance sheet rather than relying on traditional LP-backed fund structures, allowing for flexibility in deal-making. Although the total fund size is not publicly disclosed, the firm has made approximately 8 investments in recent years, with an average deal size of $7.23 million.
Look Up Ventures has a strong emphasis on sectors that address climate change, including materials, energy, food and agriculture, transport, and carbon management. The firm is also exploring alternative funding mechanisms to support its portfolio companies, indicating a commitment to innovative financial solutions.
Look Up Ventures invests in early-stage companies across a variety of sectors, with a particular emphasis on climate-related technologies. The firm targets companies at the Pre-seed, Seed, and Seed+ (Extension) stages, focusing on businesses that demonstrate significant growth potential. Check sizes typically range from EUR 1.5 million to 3 million, reflecting the firm's commitment to providing substantial support to its portfolio companies.
Investment sectors include materials, energy, food and agriculture, transport, and carbon management. Look Up Ventures prioritizes innovative ideas that can contribute to climate emergency mitigation and biodiversity preservation. The firm conducts detailed techno-economic analyses to evaluate the viability of potential investments, ensuring that they align with their growth and sustainability criteria.
In addition to equity investments, Look Up Ventures is developing a platform to aggregate offtake agreements, which will enhance transparency and liquidity for startups. This operational model distinguishes the firm from traditional venture capital approaches, as it seeks to create a supportive ecosystem for its portfolio companies.
Look Up Ventures has invested in approximately 15 portfolio companies, with a notable focus on climate technology and deep tech. Key investments include:
The portfolio is heavily weighted towards energy solutions, with five of the eight tracked investments focusing on this sector. Additionally, five of the eight investments are based in Denmark, showcasing a regional focus alongside a thematic commitment to carbon capture and climate-adjacent technologies.
Tommy Ahlers - Co-founder/Partner. Ahlers is the founder and former CEO of Podio, which was acquired by Citrix, and ZYB, acquired by Vodafone. He has over 12 years of active investing experience and previously served as the Danish Minister of Higher Education & Science.
Nicolaj Reffstrup - Co-founder/Founding Partner. Reffstrup co-founded GANNI, a Danish fashion brand, and scaled it to $200 million in profitable revenue. He possesses deep expertise in brand building and sustainability leadership.
To pitch Look Up Ventures, founders should visit their website at lookupventures.com. It is recommended to include a detailed deck that outlines the business model, market analysis, and team qualifications. While specific response time expectations are not provided, founders should anticipate a thorough review process given the firm's focus on innovative and impactful investments.
In 2024, Look Up Ventures was reported to be acquired by Giant Ventures, a UK-based firm. This acquisition aligns with Giant Ventures' launch of a $250 million climate and impact fund, backed by Virgin Group. The strategic tie-up is currently under verification.
As of 2025, Look Up Ventures has made a total of 8 investments, with an average deal size of $7.23 million. The firm has been active in the climate tech space, focusing on companies that address energy and carbon management.
What are Look Up Ventures' investment criteria?
Look Up Ventures focuses on early-stage companies that demonstrate significant growth potential, particularly in sectors addressing climate change. They prioritize innovative ideas and technologies that can contribute to sustainability.
How can I pitch to Look Up Ventures?
Interested founders can submit their pitches through the firm's website at lookupventures.com. Specific guidelines for pitch submissions are not detailed, so it is advisable to include comprehensive information about the business model, market potential, and team.
What makes Look Up Ventures different from other VCs?
Look Up Ventures distinguishes itself by investing from its own balance sheet and exploring alternative funding mechanisms, such as offtake agreements and soft grants. This approach allows for greater flexibility and support for portfolio companies beyond traditional equity investments.
What is the geographic focus of Look Up Ventures?
The firm primarily invests in early-stage companies based in the United States, although it has also made investments in European companies, particularly in Denmark.
What is the average check size for investments?
Look Up Ventures typically invests between EUR 1.5 million and 3 million in its portfolio companies, reflecting its commitment to providing substantial financial support.
What is the firm's involvement post-investment?
While specific details about post-investment involvement are not disclosed, Look Up Ventures emphasizes support for its portfolio companies through operational assistance and exploring alternative funding mechanisms.
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