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Picus Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 2015 by Alexander Samwer, Jeremias Heinrich, and Robin Godenrath. The firm operates from multiple global offices, including locations in New York City, Beijing, Berlin, London, Bangalore, Singapore, Paris, and Mexico City. Picus Capital is known for its permanent evergreen capital structure, allowing for long-term investments in over 200 companies, including six unicorns.
Since its inception, Picus Capital has achieved an impressive annual internal rate of return (IRR) of over 40%. The firm is currently raising its second fund, targeting EUR 250 million, with an additional EUR 150 million in preferred equity secured from Carlyle AlpInvest in December 2025. This financial backing supports their commitment to active company building and long-term partnerships with founders.
Picus Capital primarily invests in early-stage companies at the Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A stages, with check sizes ranging from $400,000 to $3 million, and a sweet spot around $1.5 million. The firm has a strong focus on sectors such as energy and climate, fintech, enterprise infrastructure, cybersecurity, generative AI, and healthcare. Their investment strategy emphasizes building category leaders through long-term partnerships with exceptional founders.
The firm has a primary geographic focus on Europe, while also extending its reach to India, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Southeast Asia, and the United States. Picus Capital's active company building approach includes co-creating ventures from scratch and providing operational support throughout the lifecycle of their portfolio companies.
Picus Capital has built a diverse portfolio of over 200 companies, showcasing a strong presence in various sectors. Notable portfolio companies include:
In addition to these companies, Picus Capital has achieved significant milestones with 16+ acquisitions and one IPO, reflecting its strong performance in the fintech, HR tech, and energy sectors.
Alexander Samwer: Founding Partner with a background in entrepreneurship and venture capital, known for his role in founding Rocket Internet.
Jeremias Heinrich: Co-founder and partner, specializing in investment strategy and portfolio management.
Robin Godenrath: Co-founder, focusing on operational support and strategic partnerships.
Florian Reichert: Partner & Managing Director, with expertise in scaling technology ventures.
Anthony Hayhoe: Head of Investor Relations & Fundraising, responsible for managing investor communications and fundraising efforts.
Abhijay Thacker: Investment Advisor, providing insights into market trends and investment opportunities.
Darius Kahlert: Investor, focusing on sourcing and evaluating new investment opportunities.
Constantin Seuß: Senior Finance Manager, overseeing financial operations and reporting.
Emma Runge: HR Manager, managing talent acquisition and organizational development.
Aurelia Tettenborn: Junior HR Manager, supporting HR initiatives and employee engagement.
To pitch to Picus Capital, startups should submit their proposals via email to info@picuscap.com. A detailed pitch deck is essential, including information on the business model, market analysis, financial projections, and team backgrounds. The firm typically responds within a few weeks, and warm introductions are preferred but not mandatory.
In the last 12 months, Picus Capital has made 50 investments, showcasing its active deployment of capital in the technology sector. The firm is in the process of closing its second fund, targeting EUR 250 million, with EUR 150 million already secured from Carlyle AlpInvest in December 2025. This funding will further enhance their capacity to support early-stage companies.
Q?
What are Picus Capital's investment criteria?
A: Picus Capital invests in early-stage companies at the Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A stages, focusing on sectors such as energy and climate, fintech, cybersecurity, AI, and healthcare. They typically write checks ranging from $400,000 to $3 million.
Q?
How can startups apply or pitch to Picus Capital?
A: Startups can reach out to Picus Capital through their website or via email at info@picuscap.com. A well-prepared pitch deck that outlines the business model, market opportunity, and team is essential.
Q?
What makes Picus Capital different from other venture capital firms?
A: Picus Capital emphasizes long-term partnerships with founders and active company building, providing not just capital but also strategic and operational support to help companies grow.
Q?
What is the geographic scope of Picus Capital's investments?
A: While Picus Capital primarily focuses on Europe, they also invest in startups across India, Latin America, MENA, Southeast Asia, and the United States.
Q?
What is the typical post-investment involvement of Picus Capital?
A: Picus Capital is known for its active involvement in portfolio companies, offering HR and operational support, as well as access to their extensive network across geographies.
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