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Semapa Next is a corporate venture capital firm founded in 2017 and headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal. As the venture capital arm of Semapa, a prominent Portuguese industrial holding company, Semapa Next focuses on investing in European companies that aspire to become global leaders in their respective sectors. The firm has established a strong presence in the venture capital landscape, leveraging its affiliation with Semapa Group to provide operational support and resources to its portfolio companies.
Currently, Semapa Next manages a portfolio of 32 companies and operates with a team of nine professionals. The firm primarily invests at the Series A stage, with check sizes ranging from $3 million to $5 million. Semapa Next's investment strategy is sector-agnostic, allowing it to explore opportunities across various industries, including SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, consumer products, and food-agtech.
Notable milestones for Semapa Next include its rapid growth since inception and its active engagement in the European tech scene. The firm has built a reputation for providing extensive support services to its portfolio companies, including access to a global network of experts, leadership coaching, and assistance in senior talent recruitment.
Semapa Next primarily invests in companies at the Series A stage, with a focus on sectors such as SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, consumer products, and food-agtech. The firm adopts a sector-agnostic approach, allowing it to identify and support a diverse range of startups that demonstrate potential for global leadership. Semapa Next typically invests between $3 million and $5 million per deal, providing substantial capital to help companies scale effectively.
The firm emphasizes the importance of operational support and value addition to its portfolio companies. Semapa Next offers access to a global network of industry experts, leadership coaching, senior talent recruitment, and financial process optimization. This comprehensive support structure is designed to enhance growth and operational efficiency, enabling startups to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in their respective markets.
Semapa Next looks for founders who are ambitious and have a clear vision for their companies. The firm values strong leadership capabilities and a commitment to innovation. Additionally, it prefers to engage in co-investment opportunities, collaborating with other investors to maximize the potential for success.
Semapa Next has built a diverse portfolio of 32 companies, showcasing its commitment to supporting innovative startups across various sectors. Notable portfolio companies include:
This portfolio reflects Semapa Next's commitment to investing in companies that are not only innovative but also have the potential to lead their respective markets. The firm actively engages with its portfolio companies, providing them with the necessary resources and support to achieve their growth objectives.
Hugo Augusto - CEO: Hugo has extensive experience in venture capital and corporate strategy, having previously worked in various leadership roles within the Semapa Group.
Daniel Nascimento - Principal: Daniel specializes in investment analysis and portfolio management, bringing a strong background in finance and technology to the team.
Grégoire Viat - Principal: Grégoire has a deep understanding of the European tech landscape and focuses on identifying high-potential startups for investment.
Assunção Magalhães - Investor: Assunção is involved in sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, leveraging her expertise in market analysis.
Laura Barbas - Investor: Laura focuses on building relationships with founders and supporting portfolio companies in their growth journeys.
Martim Perestrelo - Investor: Martim brings a strong background in technology and entrepreneurship, helping to identify innovative startups.
Michal Mashall - Portfolio & Community Manager: Michal manages relationships with portfolio companies and fosters community engagement.
Ricardo Pires - Chairman: Ricardo oversees the strategic direction of Semapa Next and has a wealth of experience in corporate governance.
Lasse Husby - Investor: Lasse focuses on investment sourcing and due diligence, contributing to the firm's overall investment strategy.
Adriana Costa - Office Manager: Adriana manages the operational aspects of the firm, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
To pitch to Semapa Next, founders should visit their submission page at https://semapanext.com/submit-your-pitch/. It is important to include a comprehensive pitch deck that outlines the business model, market opportunity, competitive landscape, and growth strategy. Semapa Next appreciates clear and concise presentations that highlight the startup's unique value proposition.
Response times may vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks. Warm introductions are preferred, as they can facilitate a more favorable review process.
In recent months, Semapa Next has made several notable investments, including Constellr and Overstory, both of which focus on innovative technology solutions for environmental monitoring and data analysis. The firm continues to expand its portfolio, actively seeking out promising startups across Europe.
As of March 2026, Semapa Next has completed a total of 32 investments, reflecting its commitment to supporting European startups. The firm has also been recognized as one of Portugal's most active institutional VCs, further solidifying its reputation in the venture capital space.
What are Semapa Next's investment criteria?
Semapa Next primarily invests in European-based companies at the Series A stage, focusing on sectors such as SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, consumer products, and food-agtech. The firm typically invests between $3 million and $5 million per deal.
How can I pitch to Semapa Next?
Founders can submit their pitch through Semapa Next's online submission page at https://semapanext.com/submit-your-pitch/. It is recommended to include a clear business model, market analysis, and growth strategy in the pitch deck.
What makes Semapa Next different from other venture capital firms?
Semapa Next differentiates itself by leveraging its connection to the Semapa Group, providing portfolio companies with access to a vast industrial network and operational support. This enables startups to benefit from resources that go beyond typical venture capital offerings.
What is Semapa Next's geographic scope?
The firm focuses on investing in companies based in Europe, aiming to support startups that aspire to become global leaders in their respective categories.
What kind of post-investment involvement does Semapa Next have?
Semapa Next actively engages with its portfolio companies, offering leadership coaching, senior talent recruitment, and financial process optimization to help them scale effectively and efficiently.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Semapa Next typically invests between $3 million and $5 million in each portfolio company, depending on the specific needs and growth potential of the startup.
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