14 Best Venture Capital (VC) Investors in France
Bonjour, French startups! Ready to find your financial soulmate in the world of venture capital? This article is your guide through France’s vibrant VC landscape, where we uncover the crème de la crème of investors. These aren’t your average financiers; they’re the maestros of mentorship, funding, and growth, attuned to the unique rhythm of French innovation.
Whether you’re revolutionizing tech in Paris or shaking up the wine industry in Bordeaux, we’ve got you covered. Dive into this treasure trove of top VC investors in France, and let’s embark on a journey to elevate your startup from a local sensation to a global phenomenon.
Aglae Ventures
Aglaé Ventures is a global VC firm that invests in technology companies at various stages, from early to growth. They’re willing to invest anywhere from €100K up to €100MM in fast-growing tech companies. Their investment focus includes marketplaces, SaaS, platforms, consumer apps, and DNVB. Annually, they are involved in 7-12 deals, and their investments typically range from $100K to $100M, with a sweet spot around $10M.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: France, USA, Germany, UK, Mexico, Egypt
Operating since: 2017
Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
Investment Focus: Marketplaces, Software, Content, Consumer Platforms, DevTools, Digitally Native Vertical Brands
Number of investments: 107
Number of exits: 12
Check size: $100K to $100M
Notable investments: Netflix, Automattic, Slack
Founders/Key People: Cyril Guenoun, Antoine Loison
Website: https://aglaeventures.com/
Alven Capital Partners
Alven Capital Partners, founded in 1999, is a Paris-based VC investment firm. The firm prefers to invest in various sectors, including big data, mobile, SaaS, and IT. In May 2022, Alven raised its largest early-stage fund in France, amounting to €350M, primarily for seed and Series A investments. This demonstrates their significant role in supporting French entrepreneurs. Alven Capital Partners typically makes investments with an average round size of about $30 million, engaging in about 8 yearly investments.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: France, USA, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Hong Kong, Sweden
Operating since: 1999
Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
Investment Focus: SaaS & Subscription Models (Enterprise Subscriptions, “Picks & Shovels” Digital Enablers, SMB & Prosumers), DeepTech & Data-Driven Businesses (Big Data Services, ML, Disruptive Software Algorithms), Consumer Digital Services (Marketplaces & Sharing Economy, Web Brands)
Number of investments: 296
Number of exits: 98
Check size: $100K to $10M
Notable investments: Stripe, Qonto
Founders/Key People: Guillaume Aubin, Charles Letourneur
Website: https://www.alven.co
Breega Capital
Breega Capital is a venture capital firm that’s all about supporting tech startups in Europe. They’re active in the European Union, Middle East, and Africa regions. They get hands-on, providing industry and operational expertise and helping their portfolio companies grow internationally. They’re especially keen on European tech startups at the Seed to Series A stage.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: France, USA, UK, Israel, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Kenya, UAE, Portugal, Uganda, South Africa, Senegal
Operating since: 2013
Stages: Seed, Series A
Investment Focus: AdTech, AgTech, Blockchain, BPO, DeepTech, EdTech, FinTech, FoodTech, HealthTech, HRTech, InsurTech, IoT, Marketplace, MarTech, RegTech, SaaS, SaaS-AI, Social Networks, Software, Marketplaces, Robotics, High Tech Hardware
Number of investments: 149
Number of exits: 53
Check size: $500k – $12m
Notable investments: Exotec, Curve
Founders/Key People: Ben Marrel, Maximilien Bacot
Website: https://www.breega.com
C4 Ventures
C4 Ventures is a top European VC firm, founded in 2012 and co-founded by Pascal Cagni, former VP & GM of Apple EMEIA. The firm is based in Paris, with an additional presence in London. It is well-known for its leadership team of former Apple and Microsoft executives, and it focuses on backing ambitious tech entrepreneurs. C4 Ventures’ approach goes beyond mere financial investment; it emphasizes creating value through deep understanding, strong involvement, and concrete operational support. Their investment portfolio is particularly focused on European smart hardware.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: Denmark, USA, UK, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Lithuania
Operating since: 2012
Stages: Seed, Pre-Series A, Post-Series A
Investment Focus: Smart Hardware, Future of Commerce/E-commerce, Digital Media, Future of Work/Software
Number of investments: 66
Number of exits: 19
Check size: $100K – $10M
Notable investments: Graphcore, Drivenets
Founders/Key People: Pascal Cagni, Mathieu Bourdie
Website: https://c4v.com
Cap Horn Invest
CapHorn Invest, founded in 2010, is an independent venture capital firm specializing in B2B digital companies. Based in France, the firm primarily invests in European B2B digital companies across various sectors, including technology, e-commerce, media, and entertainment. Following a strategy to boost the commercial growth of high-potential SMEs, CapHorn Invest offers managerial and commercial leverage to its portfolio companies.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: France, USA, Réunion, Canada, Singapore
Operating since: 2010
Stages: Series A, Series B
Investment Focus: Enterprise (Software, Cloud Infrastructure, AI, ML, Data Analytics, AdTech, MarTech, Digital Media, EnergyTech, RetailTech, Blockchain, Logistics, LegalTech, FinTech, TravelTech)
Number of investments: 108
Number of exits: 23
Check size: $300k – $5m
Notable investments: Ledger, InterCloud
Founders/Key People: Paul Watel, Guillaume Dupont
Website: https://caphorn.vc
Elaia Partners
Elaia Partners, established in 2002, is an independent venture capital fund specializing in the Digital Economy. The firm is particularly notable for its focus on high-growth startups offering innovative technologies, products, and services. With over €135 million under management, Elaia Partners supports these startups from their initial financing rounds to their development into global leaders. Operating out of Paris, the firm invests via Elaia Alpha, a seed investment fund. It is significantly involved in the digital ecosystem, notably as France Digitale’s co-founder and board member. Their check sizes normally range between $300k and $15 million.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: France, USA, Spain, UK, Israel, Germany, Belgium
Operating since: 2002
Stages: Seed,Series A,Series B
Investment Focus: BioTech,Drug Discovery,Therapeutics,MedTech,AgTech,Sustainability,Data Analytics, AI,ML, Big Data, IoT, Data Science, Digital Media,Blockchain,Enterprise Software, Marketplaces, MarTech,AdTech,FinTech,EdTech,Supply Chain,Logistics,Cloud Computing, LegalTech, CyberSecurity, HRTech, E-commerce
Number of investments: 244
Number of exits: 81
Check size: $300k – $15m
Notable investments: CRITEO, Mirakl, Shift Technology
Founders/Key People: Alexis Frentz, Sebastien Lefebvre
Website: https://www.elaia.com
Hi Inov
Hi. Inov is a European B2B venture capital firm based in Paris, Lyon, and Munich, focusing on supporting hypergrowth companies in the deep-tech digital sector. The firm guides companies from their early stages to becoming industry leaders, strongly emphasizing digital transformation solutions for SMEs and large businesses, particularly in Series A and B stages. Hi Inov manages assets of €350 million and has backed 39 startups, providing a robust network for market expansion, especially in French and German markets. Hi Inov typically deals in the range of €5 to €10 million and participates in 2-6 deals annually.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland
Operating since: 2012
Stages: Series A, Series B
Investment Focus: MOBILITY- Innovative B2B Solutions, E-SERVICES – Disruptive Business Models, DATA – POS & Data Technology, IOT – Mobile Internet & Industrial Connected Objects, SAAS & PAAS – Software dedicated to Business Digitization
Number of investments: 57
Number of exits: 11
Check size: €5 to €10 million
Notable investments: Deepki, 360Learning
Founders/Key People: Valerie Gombart, Wolfgang Krause
Website: https://www.hiinov.com
IRIS
Iris Capital is a venture capital and growth firm that emphasizes technology. It supports companies from seed and Series A to late-stage and growth phases. The firm has 37 years of experience in the tech industry, works with 12 investors, and has generated over $2 billion in revenue in 2022. Additionally, investments by Iris Capital have created over 20,000 jobs in the same year.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: France, Germany, United States, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Belgium, United Kingdom, China, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Luxembourg.
Operating since: 1986
Investment Focus: Consumer & Social, Enterprise Software, Entertainment & Gaming, FinTech & InsurTech, Hardware & IoT, Industry & Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Networks & Security, MarTech, Mobility, Retail & Marketplaces/
Stages: Pre-Seed,Seed, Series A, Series B+.
Number of investments: 140
Number of exits: 37
Check size: $1m – $30m
Notable investments: Careem, Talend
Founders/Key People: Julien-David Nitlech
Website: https://www.iris.vc/
Kima Ventures
Kima Ventures, established in March 2010 and based in Paris, France, is recognized as one of the world’s most active early-stage venture capital firms. It operates under the entrepreneurial spirit of Xavier Niel, the owner of notable entities like Iliad, Station F, and 42. The firm is committed to investing in 2 to 3 startups each week across the globe, contributing to nearly 100 investments annually. Kima Ventures provides startups with crucial funding and a network and support to help these companies progress to their next development stages.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: France, United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Spain, Germany, Mexico, Russia, Sweden, Belgium, India.
Operating since: 2010
Investment Focus: Enterprise Software, Design, EdTech, Energy, FinTech, Hardware, Robotics, Logistics/Supply Chain, Media, SaaS, AdTech, Big Data, E-commerce, Retail, Entertainment, Gaming, Cyber Security, Social, TravelTech, Health, Bitcoin, FoodTech, AgTech, Lifestyle, CleanTech, Marketplaces.
Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Post-Seed, Series A, Series B+.
Number of investments: 928
Number of exits: 115
Check size: $100K – $5M
Notable investments: PayFit, Carta
Founders/Key People: Donald Jones
Website: https://www.kimaventures.com/
Korelya Capital
Korelya Capital, founded in 2016 by Fleur Pellerin, supports European tech startups aiming for global expansion, particularly into Asia. With over EUR 500 million under management, Korelya Capital leverages its strong ties within the Asian tech ecosystems and leading corporates to provide more than just capital to its portfolio companies.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: France, Germany, United Kingdom, South Korea, Spain, Belgium, Estonia, Netherlands, United States
Operating since: 2016
Investment Focus: DeepTech, AI, ML, Big Data, Deep Learning, Mapping, Blockchain, Digital Media, Mobile, Enterprise Software, Cloud Computing, TravelTech, Logistics, FinTech, Gaming, eSports, EdTech, Transportation, JobTech, Marketplaces
Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Post-Seed, Series A, Series B+.
Number of investments: 38
Number of exits: 2
Check size: $1M – $5M
Notable investments: Bolt, Glovo
Founders/Key People: Antoine Dresch
Website: https://www.korelyacapital.com/
Newfund Capital
Newfund Capital, founded in 2008, is a venture capital firm that specializes in early-stage investments. It is distinguished as the first early-stage VC in Paris and Silicon Valley. With $300 million in assets under management (AUM), Newfund has been a significant player in the venture capital landscape, mainly supported by entrepreneurs and family offices. The firm operates in France and North America, demonstrating a broad geographic reach in its investment strategy.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: France, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, Belgium, Luxembourg, China, Mauritius, Senegal.
Operating since: 2008
Investment Focus: Enterprise Software,Infrastructure & Networks,Retail, RetailTech, E-commerce, Enterprise, Consumer, Hardware, Energy, CleanTech, FinTech, HealthTech, Marketplaces, EdTech,Construction & Real Estate,FoodTech, HRTech,AdTech,Hospitality, TravelTech, Gaming,Entertainment,Automotive,IoT,NanoTech,Blockchain,Crypto.
Stage: Seed, Post-Seed, Series A, Series B.
Number of investments: 185
Number of exits: 32
Check size: €500K – €2M
Notable investments: Aircall, Zinier
Founders/Key People: Francois Veron, Patrick Malka
Website: https://newfundcap.com/
Quadrille Capital
Quadrille Capital, established in 2001, is an independent investment manager specializing in Venture Capital and Growth Equity. The firm has a history of supporting high-growth companies across Europe, the United States, and Asia for over 20 years. Operating out of Paris and San Francisco, Quadrille manages assets worth €1.6 billion, mainly for institutions and families in Europe, the UK, and the Middle East. Their investment strategy encompasses four areas: growth equity, secondary investments, primary fund commitments, and public equity. The company was initially part of a global family office and spun off in 2012 with its Growth Equity and Primary strategies.
Headquarters: France (Paris)
Investment Geography: Parts of Europe, Asia, and the United States
Operating since: 2001
Investment Focus: Technology, IT/Software, Consumer, Renewable Energy, Healthcare, Life Sciences, BioTech
Stages: Series B, Series C, Series D
Number of investments: 83
Number of exits: 17
Check size: $100k – $5m
Notable investments: Homa Games, Anyfin, Tamara Mellon
Founders/Key People: Romain Stokes, Augustin Palle
Website: http://www.quadrillecapital.com/
SIDE Capital
SIDE Capital is a French investment fund focused on supporting early-stage tech and digital startups since 2016. They provide unique, early-stage financing ranging from €300K to €600K, aiming to back ambitious founders at the initial stage of their startup’s journey. Their approach is characterized by agile and equitable deals, prioritizing quick and fair agreements for founders. Additionally, SIDE Capital emphasizes the importance of benevolence in their strategy, actively coaching, team structuring, strategy development, KPI and reporting guidance and preparing startups for future funding rounds.
Headquarters: France (Paris, France)
Investment Geography: France
Operating since: 2016
Investment Focus: Tech & Digital Startups (Consumer Internet, FinTech, HelathTech, FoodTech, Sports & Media, TravelTech, Enterprise/B2B, Software/SaaS, MarTech, HRTech)
Stages: Seed, Series A
Number of investments: 57
Number of exits: 9
Check size: €300k – €600k (~ $325k – $650k)
Notable investments: Demooz, TeamBrain, Wenabi
Founders/Key People: Renaud Guillerm, Franck Farrugia
Website: http://www.side-capital.com/
XAnge Ventures
XAnge is a prominent venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments, particularly in data, care, trust, and impact. They emphasize supporting inclusive technology initiatives that aim to improve society and the environment. With over 20 years of experience, the XAnge team comprises multicultural and diverse investors and operators driven by a passion for tech and positive innovations. As part of the Siparex Group, XAnge manages €650 million in funds, demonstrating its significant presence in the venture capital landscape.
Headquarters: France
Investment Geography: France, Germany, United States, Belgium, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Israel, Argentina, Netherlands, Canada.
Operating since: 2004
Investment Focus: Digital/Software/SaaS (Enterprise, Semi-Pro, Consumer), DeepTech (AI, Transportation, Energy, Blockchain), Impact (Sustainable Food & Housing, Environment & CleanTech, Open Data & Safety, Health & Well-Being, Social Inclusion, Cohesion & Transition, EdTech & HRTech).
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B.
Number of investments: 269
Number of exits: 56
Check size: $1M – $10M
Notable investments: Odoo, Believe Digital
Founders/Key People: Guillaume Meulle
Website: https://www.xange.vc
Conclusion
Voilà! You’ve just navigated the elite circle of France’s venture capital scene. Keep this guide close as you stride towards finding that perfect VC match – one that not only funds but fuels your startup ambitions. It’s time to make your mark in the bustling French startup ecosystem, armed with the right investor partnership. From Parisian tech hubs to the vineyards of Bordeaux, your startup story is about to take an exciting turn. Bonne chance as you leap into this adventure, ready to transform your visionary ideas into the next big French success story.
