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Uni.Fund is Greece's leading venture capital firm, established in 2017 to support university spinoffs and technology startups. The firm launched its first fund in 2018, backed by EquiFund and private investors, with a total fund size of €50 million. Uni.Fund aims to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial viability, focusing on innovative founders in the tech sector. The firm has successfully deployed capital into 23 companies that collectively operate in over 60 countries.
With a strong emphasis on leveraging academic research, Uni.Fund is committed to fostering the growth of startups emerging from Greek universities and research institutions. The firm is preparing to launch its second fund in 2024, which will expand its investment scope beyond Greece to the broader European market. This expansion reflects Uni.Fund's ambition to enhance its impact on the European tech landscape.
Uni.Fund primarily invests in pre-seed, seed, and early Series A stages, targeting university spinoffs and tech startups across Greece and Europe. The firm focuses on sectors such as fintech, healthcare, IoT, robotics, and SaaS, with initial ticket sizes ranging from €200K to €1.5M. This investment strategy is designed to empower ambitious founders with innovative ideas, particularly those that leverage academic research.
The firm seeks to partner with founders who demonstrate a strong commitment to commercializing research and developing technology-driven solutions. Uni.Fund's investment approach includes providing not only capital but also strategic guidance to help startups navigate their growth journey. The firm values collaboration with its portfolio companies, leveraging its strong academic network and institutional backing to enhance their chances of success.
Uni.Fund's portfolio consists of 23 companies operating in diverse sectors, including:
These companies collectively operate in over 60 countries, showcasing the global reach and impact of Uni.Fund's investments. The firm is particularly focused on supporting university spinoffs that emerge from academic research, ensuring that innovative ideas are translated into viable business models.
Katerina Pramatari - Co-founder; she is a professor at Athens University of Economics and Business and has been profiled in the Financial Times for her thesis on unlocking Greek research potential.
Konstantinos Lafkas - Co-founder; he brings extensive experience in venture capital and technology commercialization.
Panos Lioulias - Co-founder; he has a background in finance and technology, focusing on early-stage investments.
Stelios Iliakis - Co-founder; he specializes in operational support for startups and has a strong network in the tech industry.
Sotiris Papantonopoulos-Mantopoulos - Co-founder; he has expertise in scaling technology companies and strategic investments.
Dora Trachana and George Saperas - Recently added as partners in Fund II, both bring additional expertise in venture capital and startup growth.
To pitch Uni.Fund, founders should prepare a comprehensive deck that includes their business model, market analysis, and team qualifications. The preferred channel for submissions is through a warm introduction, although cold outreach is also accepted. Founders can expect a response within a few weeks after submission.
In 2024, Uni.Fund is set to launch its second fund with a target size of €50M, expanding its investment scope beyond Greece to the broader European market. This fund aims to support 20-25 seed-stage deals, enhancing the firm's footprint in the European tech landscape.
Since its inception, Uni.Fund has actively deployed capital into 23 companies, which collectively operate in over 60 countries. The firm has been recognized for pioneering the university spinoff VC model in Greece, backed by credible European institutional partners such as the European Investment Fund (EIF) and the Hellenic Development Bank of Investments (HDBI).
What are Uni.Fund's investment criteria?
Uni.Fund invests in pre-seed, seed, and early Series A stages, focusing on university spinoffs and tech startups in Greece and Europe. The firm looks for ambitious founders with innovative ideas, particularly those leveraging academic research.
How can I pitch to Uni.Fund?
Founders can pitch to Uni.Fund by submitting a detailed business plan that outlines their innovative idea, market potential, and team background. A warm introduction is preferred, but cold outreach is also accepted.
What makes Uni.Fund different from other VCs?
Uni.Fund specializes in commercializing research from Greek universities and R&D institutions, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and access to a strong academic network.
What is the typical check size Uni.Fund provides?
Uni.Fund typically invests between €200K and €1.5M in its portfolio companies, depending on the stage and needs of the startup.
What is Uni.Fund's geographic focus?
While primarily focused on Greece, Uni.Fund is expanding its investment scope to include the broader European market with its second fund.
What kind of support do portfolio companies receive?
Uni.Fund provides strategic guidance, access to its academic network, and institutional backing to help portfolio companies navigate their growth journey and achieve commercial success.
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