The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an investment firm established in 1991 to support the development of market economies and democracies in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. As the largest single investor in the region, the EBRD focuses on private enterprises, investing primarily in minority equity positions and participating in private equity funds that target medium-sized companies seeking expansion. The firm mobilizes significant foreign direct investment and provides project financing for a variety of sectors, including banking, industry, and municipal services. It collaborates with publicly owned companies to facilitate privatization and restructuring efforts. The EBRD operates in countries committed to democratic principles and emphasizes strong corporate governance and environmental respect in all its investments. With a portfolio exceeding €130 billion across over 5,200 projects, the EBRD has also extended its financing initiatives to the Middle East and Africa, leveraging its expertise to foster economic growth and transformation.

South Central Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2015, primarily focused on investing in early-stage high-growth companies within the technology sector across the Balkans. With offices in Belgrade, Ljubljana, Zagreb, and Skopje, the firm targets small and medium enterprises, particularly in areas such as Information and Communications Technology, SaaS, mobile, IoT, HealthTech, and FinTech. South Central Ventures manages a €40 million fund, allocating resources for seed investments up to €0.1 million and larger investments of up to €3 million for early and growth stages. The firm seeks to acquire significant stakes, ranging from 25% to 49%, in its portfolio companies, aiming to support their international expansion and growth potential.

Startup Wise Guys is a prominent early-stage investor based in Tallinn, Estonia, recognized as one of the leading venture capital funds in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region and the Nordics. Since its inception in 2012, it has operated a renowned startup accelerator that has supported over 165 startups, primarily in sectors such as B2B SaaS, Fintech, and Cybersecurity. The intensive three-month program aims to validate, develop, and market products to business clients, benefiting from the guidance of more than 200 mentors. The accelerator culminates in Demo Days and attendance at major tech events, providing startups the opportunity to pitch to investors. With a startup survival and success rate exceeding 77%, the program has facilitated two major exits and fosters a robust alumni network of over 145 startups across more than 40 countries. Additionally, Startup Wise Guys manages specific funds targeting investments in various sectors, including technology and clean tech, with a focus on early-stage ventures.

SEAF is an investment firm that focuses on providing growth capital and operational support to businesses in emerging markets, particularly those underserved by traditional financing sources. Founded in 1989 in Washington, District of Columbia, as a private equity subsidiary of the development organization CARE, SEAF aims to foster economic development by investing risk capital in locally owned enterprises with high growth potential. The firm operates in 18 countries, with a notable presence in Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America. SEAF makes structured debt and equity investments and emphasizes creating measurable development impacts in local communities. Its investment strategy includes targeting diverse sectors such as tourism, healthcare, IT, and agriculture, while also focusing on themes like energy, diversity and inclusion, and employment. SEAF seeks to partner actively with entrepreneurs, leveraging its extensive network to enhance business success and deliver attractive returns to its investors.

LAUNCHub Fund, established in 2012 and based in Sofia, Bulgaria, is a venture capital firm that focuses on seed and early-stage investments in digital startups throughout Southeastern Europe. With a total management capacity of €30 million, the fund primarily invests in sectors such as SaaS, enterprise software, health-tech, e-commerce, mobile, and IoT, although it is open to opportunities in other verticals as well. The typical investment size ranges from €300,000 to €700,000, with potential expansions up to €1.5 million per company. LAUNCHub Fund aims to support innovative ventures that are positioned to drive growth in the regional technology landscape.

Viaduct Ventures is a Technology focused early-stage venture fund.Viaduct seeks and supports startups that serve as Data Refineries,provide actionable intelligence to empower businesses

J.P. Morgan is a prominent player in the financial services industry, providing a wide range of solutions to clients in over 100 countries. With a rich history spanning more than 200 years, the firm prioritizes its clients' interests in all its operations. J.P. Morgan Asset Management stands out as a leading asset manager, catering to individuals, advisors, and institutions globally. The firm offers diverse investment strategies across various asset classes, bolstered by its substantial assets under management. Additionally, J.P. Morgan Ventures Energy Corporation specializes in commodity risk management solutions. The firm also manages several funds, including those focused on buyouts in the healthcare sector and opportunistic investments in infrastructure across multiple regions, including North America and Europe.

Argus Capital is a private equity firm established in 1998, focusing on mid-market investments in Central and Eastern Europe. With a strong presence in the region, it was one of the first firms to create a network of offices there. Argus Capital partners with prominent institutional investors and family offices from Europe, North America, and the Middle East to support its investment strategies. The firm has managed various funds, including a buyout fund that specifically targeted sectors such as healthcare services, media, life sciences, robotics, drones, and technology, media, and telecommunications.

Quaestus was founded in 2003 as the first Croatian company for management of private equity funds. Quaestus manages two private equity funds. The total capital commited to the both funds amounts to around €80 million.

Alpha Bank is a prominent financial services company based in Greece, established in 1879. It offers a comprehensive range of high-quality financial products and services, including retail banking, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporate banking, asset management, private banking, investment banking, brokerage, and real estate management. The bank is committed to supporting the growth of the Greek economy and enhancing societal well-being, including contributions to health services in Greece. Additionally, Alpha Ventures A.E., the bank's private equity and venture capital branch, focuses on providing growth capital and financing solutions to small and medium-sized companies across various sectors, including finance, real estate, and technology, primarily in Greece and Southeastern Europe. Alpha Bank has garnered recognition for its active role in the financial sector, notably being named the "Most Active Issuing Bank in Greece" in 2018 by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Core Equity Holdings is an investment firm, based in Brussels, targeting long-term private equity investments in Europe.

Bancroft 2 is a buyout fund managed by Bancroft Private Equity, a firm established in 1989 and based in Vienna. Launched in November 2002, Bancroft 2 expanded its investment scope to include Eastern Europe and Turkey, focusing on mid-market opportunities within sectors such as commercial products, consumer durables, industrials, and technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT). The fund was part of a strategic initiative following the firm's early activities in mergers and acquisitions and the subsequent establishment of its private equity investment approach in the region.

Accession Capital Partners, formerly known as Mezzanine Management Finanz- und Unternehmensberatungs GmbH, is a private equity firm specializing in management buyouts, management buyins, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, special situations, emerging growth, and growth capital transactions of mature, middle market companies through mezzanine financings. It invests in long term, subordinated mezzanine loans, minority shareholder buyouts, organic expansion, add-on acquisitions, and ownership restructuring. It does not invest in real estate (property exclusively), alcohol, tobacco, and firearms industries and project finance, startups, and high tech companies. The firm seeks to invest in companies in the financial services, healthcare, consumer goods, business services, manufacturing and information technology sectors. It prefers to invest in companies in new European Union member states with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe with a focus on Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, and Balkan States. It also makes selective investments in Ukraine and Turkey. The firm seeks to invest between €5 million ($6.70 million) and €50 million ($63.22 million) in companies with sales value between €10 million ($11.83 million) and €400 million ($473.59 million), enterprise value between €20 million ($23.67 million) and €400 million ($473.59 million), and EBITDA between €2 million ($2.36 million) and €50 million ($67.05 million). Mezzanine Management Finanz- und Unternehmensberatungs GmbH was founded in 2000 and is based in Vienna, Austria with additional offices in Europe.

Nordic Investors s.r.o. is a private equity firm specializing in buyout investments. It also provides advisory services. The firm prefers to make investments in the CEE region. Nordic Investor s.r.o. was formed in 2015 and is based in Prague, Czech Republic.

212 Limited is a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg City, established in 2011. The firm specializes in early to late-stage investments in internet, communication, and technology sectors, with a particular emphasis on software, social gaming, eCommerce, mobile applications, social media, and cloud computing. 212 Limited primarily targets investment opportunities in Turkey, the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region, and the Middle East (MENA). The firm typically invests between $0.5 million and $3 million in its portfolio companies, generally preferring to acquire minority stakes. Founded by a team of experienced professionals, 212 aims to cultivate a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem within its focus regions, leveraging their diverse backgrounds in both global corporations and startups to drive strategic growth and operational success.

Crownway Investments is a private equity firm based in Dublin, Ireland, with an additional office in Warsaw, Poland. Founded in 1997, the firm specializes in middle-market investments, focusing on turnaround situations, buyouts, growth capital, and distressed assets. Crownway invests in a variety of sectors, including business services, utility infrastructure, waste management, telecommunications, entertainment, financial services, and retail. The firm also engages in direct property investments, particularly in Irish and Polish real estate, including hotels, offices, and retail spaces. Crownway typically targets investments ranging from €10 million to €250 million in companies with enterprise values between €20 million and €1 billion, concentrating its efforts primarily in the United Kingdom and Central Eastern Europe, including countries such as Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Poland.

EOSS Industries Holding GmbH is a private equity and venture capital firm specializing in incubation and investments in small and medium sized companies in seed/start-ups, early venture, mid venture, late venture, middle market, later stage, and mature stages. It also focuses on growth financing, spin-offs, buy-outs, successions, turnarounds, recapitalization, industry consolidation, and restructurings. It will consider investments in tourism, information and communication technology, high technology industries and life sciences, including healthcare, industrials, biotechnology and medical technology. The firm targets investments in companies based in Europe with focus on Austria, Southeastern Europe and Central and Eastern Europe including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Montenegro. EOSS Industries Holding GmbH was founded in 2003 and is based in Graz, Austria.

Simest is a financial firm focused on the development and promotion of Italian enterprises abroad. Simest acquires up to 49% of the equity capital of foreign firms in countries outside the European Union, whether wholly-owned by Italian companies or set up as joint ventures with local partners. It also provides start-up and growth capital financing as well as participating in buyouts. Geographically it invests in non-EU countries, focusing on BRIC, Americas and Middle-East. Simest also provides Italian companies seeking to internationalize their businesses with technical assistance and advisory services. Simest is a member of the European Development Finance Institutions (EDFI) and the Italian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (AIFI).

Fiedler Capital is a venture capital firm established in 2014, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, with operations in Budapest, Hungary. The firm specializes in investing in seed and early-stage startups, primarily in the healthcare, medical technology, software, mobile applications, and data analytics sectors. Fiedler Capital focuses on companies within the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Baltic regions, leveraging a strong network of local partnerships to support entrepreneurial talent. The firm is dedicated to helping these startups develop world-class business models and achieve sustainable growth in international markets.

Integral Venture Partners is a private equity firm that specializes in growth capital investments, focusing on opportunities in central and southeastern Europe. Established in 2019, the firm is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with additional offices in Budapest, Hungary, and Belgrade, Serbia. Integral Venture Partners seeks equity investments of up to EUR25 million in companies that demonstrate significant growth and value-add potential. Its core sectors of interest include technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT), healthcare, consumer goods and services, B2B services, and niche manufacturing. The firm operates independently and aims to support the development of promising businesses in its target regions.

IFU is a venture capital and private equity firm based in Copenhagen, Denmark, that specializes in providing equity, mezzanine financing, loans, and guarantees to projects in developing countries. Established in 1967, IFU focuses on creating and financing new businesses, joint ventures between Danish companies and local partners, and acquiring existing ventures. The firm primarily invests in sectors such as commercial services, biofuels, renewable energy, and irrigation systems, with a particular emphasis on climate and agribusiness. Investments are targeted at countries with a low gross national income per capita, as defined by specific criteria, and include regions across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. IFU typically invests between DKK 0.5 million and DKK 100 million and often seeks co-investment opportunities with Danish firms. The firm also supports small and medium-sized enterprises and provides advisory services for business investments in developing markets. With a preference for board membership, IFU aims to exit investments within five to seven years, ensuring a positive return for its stakeholders.

Portobello Capital is an independent mid-market private equity manager based in Spain, established in 2010. Focused on Southern Europe, the firm manages approximately 1.3 billion euros in capital and employs a team of thirty professionals. Portobello Capital primarily invests in a diverse range of sectors, including industrial supplies, commercial products and services, and consumer goods. The firm maintains a portfolio of fifteen companies, with around 88% of its funding sourced from institutional international investors. Portobello Capital emphasizes innovative thinking and bold decision-making to drive long-term value in its investments.

bValue Fund is a venture capital firm based in Warsaw, Poland, focused on investing in pre-seed, seed, and early-stage companies across various sectors. Established in 2016, the firm primarily targets enterprises within the CEE region, particularly in Poland and Ukraine. Its investment strategy emphasizes industries undergoing digital transformation, including hi-tech, engineering, fintech, logistics, healthcare, and e-commerce. bValue Fund typically invests between €0.25 million and €1 million in companies that demonstrate potential for growth, preferably those with recurring revenues or a minimum viable product. The firm seeks minority stakes in its portfolio companies and leverages the extensive experience and networks of its management team and investors to help businesses scale and navigate challenges. With a diversified portfolio, bValue Fund aims to support innovative solutions that have the potential to become global leaders.

Msin helps companies achieve faster growth, increase competitiveness, and improve transparency. The company provides strong support with its own experts in restructuring, optimization, and business and process development as well as the implementation of investment projects.

Turkven is a private equity firm based in Turkey, established in 2000, with assets under management totaling $2 billion. The firm specializes in equity and debt investments, focusing on sectors such as energy, healthcare, retail, consumer goods, and technology. Turkven's team of investment professionals has developed significant expertise and insights, enabling them to effectively manage and grow their portfolio companies. The firm is dedicated to a culture of company-building and has a proven track record of partnering with leading firms across various industries.

ICT Hub Venture is a Serbian private investment fund, focused on early stage technology startups in the SEE region. We offer funding of up to 50,000 EUR in exchange for 5-15% equity, access to the startup ecosystem, tailor-made development program and connection with key figures in relevant industries. Our main focus is on startups which have a complete team and a scalable solution that challenges traditional businesses. By facilitating creation and development of effective solutions we help transform traditional industries and create new businesses.

NCH Capital Inc. is a private equity and venture capital firm established in 1993 and headquartered in New York. The firm focuses on various investment strategies, including incubation, growth capital, and turnaround investments, particularly in emerging markets. NCH Capital specializes in sectors such as consumer products, financial services, real estate, and agribusiness, including agricultural land and related infrastructure. The firm primarily targets investments in Eastern Europe, including countries like Ukraine, Russia, and Romania, as well as in Brazil's public equity markets. NCH Capital typically seeks both control and minority stakes in its portfolio companies and prefers to take active roles, often securing board seats. With additional offices across Europe, Asia, and South America, NCH Capital aims to leverage local opportunities through its diverse investment strategies.

Enterprise Investors is a prominent private equity firm established in 1990, recognized as one of the oldest and largest in Central and Eastern Europe. The firm specializes in mid-market buyout transactions driven by succession planning and provides expansion financing to high-growth enterprises across various sectors. Over its operational history, Enterprise Investors has raised eight funds, accumulating total capital exceeding EUR 2 billion. To date, these funds have made investments totaling EUR 1.7 billion in 137 companies, demonstrating the firm's commitment to fostering growth and development in the region's business landscape.

Xevin Investments offer include investment and advisory services. The fund is interested both in companies and projects in the initial phase of development, unable to achieve further business goals due to insufficient capital, and in thriving companies in need of additional investment to achieve their milestones in the pursuit of competitive advantage.

EMF Capital Partners Limited is a private equity firm established in 2012, headquartered in London, with additional offices in Moscow, Istanbul, and Kiev. The firm specializes in investments in financial institutions, particularly within the insurance sector, which includes both life and non-life insurers. EMF Capital focuses on emerging markets, targeting primarily Europe, Asia, and Africa, with specific interest in countries such as Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey, Serbia, Macedonia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Montenegro. The firm typically invests between $5 million and $20 million in its portfolio companies, aiming to acquire a majority stake. Its mission is to create a platform that connects capital consumers in emerging markets with capital providers in developed markets.

iEurope Capital, established in 2001 by Laszlo Czirjak and Kristina Perkin Davison, is a venture capital firm based in New York. The firm focuses on investing in medium- to small-sized companies primarily located in Central Eastern Europe, with interests spanning various sectors including healthcare technology, e-commerce, media, specialized industrial technology, information technology, technology-enabled business services, consumer products, and green and clean technology. iEurope Capital aims to support entrepreneurial managers in building and maintaining significant leadership positions within their industries. With a strong network of partners, investors, and advisors, the firm leverages its professional expertise and local market knowledge to identify and nurture promising companies, helping them achieve their growth potential. Its recent funds, particularly iEurope Fund I and II, have demonstrated notable performance, achieving significant annual returns for investors.

CEE Equity Partners Ltd is a private equity firm focused on making investments in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and specialized production. The firm engages in various types of investments, including buyouts, expansion capital, and project finance, with a typical investment range of $20 million to $65 million in equity, often supplemented by debt financing. CEE Equity Partners emphasizes classic infrastructure projects like roads and ports, as well as environmental initiatives such as waste management and renewable energy sources, including wind and biomass. In telecommunications, the firm invests in fibre-optic networks and data centers. Additionally, CEE Equity Partners serves as the investment advisor for two China-CEE Funds with over $1.2 billion in committed capital, established in collaboration with China Exim Bank and other institutional investors to foster economic growth and provide returns in the region. The firm operates from its headquarters in Warsaw, Poland, with offices in several other CEE countries and the United Kingdom.

Y Soft, founded in 2000 in Brno, Czech Republic, is a global IT company that focuses on developing innovative solutions to help businesses operate efficiently. The company gained recognition with the launch of YSoft SafeQ in 2003, which established its reputation in the market. Y Soft employs over 300 people, with a significant portion dedicated to research and development. In addition to its core business, Y Soft has a venture capital arm, Y Soft Ventures, which invests in B2B hardware and software startups in Central and Eastern Europe. This initiative aims to support innovative companies by providing capital, resources, and expertise to help them succeed in global markets. Y Soft Ventures emphasizes investments in areas such as the Internet of Things, Cyber Security, Big Data, and Augmented & Virtual Reality, targeting applications across various industries, including retail and urban development.

ESPIRA Fund I is a private equity growth expansion fund managed by ESPIRA Investments, based in Prague, Czech Republic. The fund focuses on investing in small and medium-sized enterprises across Central and Eastern Europe, specifically targeting sectors such as consumer durables, B2C non-financial services, and manufacturing. By investing between EUR 1 to EUR 3 million per company, ESPIRA Fund I aims to partner with high-potential SMEs and their owners to foster growth and enhance market share. The firm emphasizes impact investing, seeking to collaborate with businesses that prioritize positive social and environmental outcomes while respecting each company's unique culture and values. Through a combination of capital investment and strategic guidance from a network of experienced professionals, ESPIRA Fund I strives to create transparent and trusting partnerships that drive meaningful change.

Lead Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Budapest, Hungary, that focuses on financing scale-ups and emerging growth companies in Central and Eastern Europe. Established in 2017, it specializes in investments across various sectors, including mobility, energy and sustainability, as well as B2B services, software, chemicals, IoT, and retail. The firm typically invests between €1 million and €10 million, targeting dynamic teams with strong growth potential and validated market solutions. With €100 million under management, Lead Ventures is backed by MOL, a leading energy company in the region, along with two financial institutions dedicated to supporting the startup ecosystem. The firm aims to empower promising ventures with not only capital but also experience and a robust professional network, fostering innovation to transform industries.

HBM Healthcare Investments is a principal investment firm established in 2001 and based in Zug, Switzerland, with a focus on the biotechnology, human medicine, diagnostics, and medical technology sectors. The firm invests globally in approximately 40 mature emerging companies, primarily targeting private firms that demonstrate significant value creation potential. Approximately two-thirds of its portfolio consists of investments in unquoted companies, while the remainder includes public companies and funds. HBM Healthcare Investments has developed a distinctive market position through its strategic investments in firms whose products are either at advanced stages of development or already available in the market. This diversified approach allows the firm to leverage opportunities across Europe, Asia, and North America, contributing to its broad shareholder base and enhancing its investment capabilities.

AXA Venture Partners (AVP) is a venture capital fund focused on investing in high-growth, technology-enabled companies. With $600 million in assets under management, AVP operates through three main investment strategies: Early Stage Fund, Growth Stage Fund, and Fund of Funds. The firm has made investments in various sectors, including enterprise software, fintech, consumer technologies, and digital health, as well as technologies pertinent to insurance and asset management. Operating globally from offices in San Francisco, New York, London, Paris, and Hong Kong, AVP has engaged in 40 Early and Growth equity deals and six Fund investments. In addition to capital, AVP supports its portfolio companies by providing access to business development opportunities, facilitating their global scaling and growth.

Founded in 2009, R12 Kapital is a private equity firm based in Stockholm, Sweden. The firm seeks to invest in the internet of things, manufacturing, and commercial product sectors.

Commerce Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in growth capital investments within the commerce sector, focusing on areas such as mobile technology, payments, retail technology, fintech, and insuretech. Commerce Ventures distinguishes itself by assembling a diverse group of investors that includes leading entrepreneurs, senior executives, and corporate partners from its targeted sectors. This strategic blend not only provides capital but also enhances the support available to portfolio companies, helping them scale their innovations in commerce.

Newable Ventures Fund is an early-stage venture capital fund managed by Newable, an investment holding company based in London, United Kingdom. Established in 2009, Newable focuses on early stage and growth investments, particularly in the angel investment market. The fund primarily targets high-growth, knowledge-intensive companies, with a strong emphasis on information technology. Newable connects private investors, family offices, and corporate investors with innovative UK-based companies that typically qualify for investment under the Enterprise and Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes. The firm has built an extensive network of investors and partners over its 30 years of operation, facilitating opportunities for co-investment and collaboration. Investors can engage directly with entrepreneurs at various events or choose to invest in funds for a more passive approach.

New Vision 3 is an early-stage venture capital fund established in 2020 and based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The fund focuses on investing in innovative companies primarily in the United States and Europe, targeting sectors such as healthcare, agtech, fintech, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence. New Vision 3 aims to support the growth of 45 companies, providing the necessary capital and resources to foster their development and success in competitive markets.

LiteCap is a private equity firm located in Los Gatos, California, focused on identifying, funding, and nurturing next-generation companies poised to make a significant impact in their industries and communities. The firm boasts a team with a proven track record in building successful businesses across Silicon Valley, Europe, and Asia. LiteCap not only provides financial support but also offers strategic guidance and access to a valuable network of clients and partners. The firm seeks to invest in leaders who demonstrate passion, vision, conviction, and a strong customer-centric approach, recognizing that the journey of building a successful business requires a careful blend of these qualities.

Techstars Central LLC, founded in 2006 and based in Boulder, Colorado, operates as a startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage technology-oriented companies. It specializes in a mentorship-driven accelerator program, selecting ten startups each summer to participate in a three-month incubation period, offering funding of $120,000 in exchange for equity. Techstars invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and IoT, while avoiding investments in medical devices, healthcare technology, and local service-oriented businesses. In addition to its primary accelerator, Techstars has various specialized programs, including those focused on music, retail, mobility, and social impact, with global reach extending to regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The firm prefers taking minority stakes, typically between six and ten percent, without seeking board representation or investor rights. Techstars has built a robust network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and corporate partners to foster innovation and growth within its portfolio, which includes over 1,000 companies with a significant collective market capitalization.

Carlyle Group, founded in 1987, is a global alternative asset manager primarily focused on private equity, real assets, and market strategies. With over $81 billion in equity capital under management, the firm operates across various investment sectors, including leveraged buyouts, venture capital, real estate, and leveraged finance. Carlyle employs more than 575 investment professionals across 21 countries, overseeing a diverse portfolio that includes companies employing over 286,000 individuals worldwide. The firm has established multiple specialized funds, targeting sectors such as information technology, healthcare, and consumer products in regions spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. Carlyle's investment approach emphasizes long-term value creation, aiming for substantial capital appreciation by partnering with businesses and management teams to maximize their potential. This extensive network and commitment to diverse asset classes enable Carlyle to attract a broad base of institutional and private investors globally.

Eleven Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Sofia, Bulgaria, specializing in early-stage investments in technology companies across Southeast Europe. Founded in 2012, the firm focuses on sectors such as fintech, health tech, e-commerce, the future of food, software tools, consumer products, sports technology, and mobility. Eleven Ventures invests primarily in pre-seed and seed stages, typically allocating between €0.025 million and €0.5 million per company, with a preference for taking minority stakes ranging from 6% to 30%. The firm conducts a three-month mentor-led acceleration program each quarter, accepting 10-15 teams, and offers office space and back-office services to support startups during this period. Additionally, accepted teams gain access to over €0.1 million in free services from technology providers. Eleven Ventures emphasizes investing in teams of two or more founders and requires portfolio companies to have a legal entity in Bulgaria and be present in Sofia during the program.

PeakSpan Capital is a private equity firm founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, with an additional office in New York. The firm specializes in investing in growth-stage, business-to-business software companies across the United States. PeakSpan focuses on a diverse range of buyers, from small businesses to large enterprises, and aims to be a domain expert and thought partner in the sectors it serves. The firm's approach emphasizes collaboration and the sharing of relevant insights and resources with entrepreneurs and stakeholders, fostering a supportive environment for growth and innovation in the software industry.

Castle Harlan, Inc. is a New York-based private equity firm established in 1987 that focuses on middle-market investments, primarily in the energy services, industrial manufacturing, and specialty chemicals sectors in North America and Australia. The firm has raised over $5.5 billion across eight private equity funds and has acquired more than 50 businesses with a combined enterprise value exceeding $11 billion. Castle Harlan's investment strategy includes various financing types such as buyouts and management buyouts, and its current and former portfolio companies employ over 36,000 people across diverse industries. With a team of experienced investment professionals, the firm continues to target opportunities that align with its expertise in the manufacturing and commercial products sectors.

Branford Castle Partners, established in 1986 and headquartered in New York, is a private equity firm that specializes in mid-market investments in companies throughout North America. Founded by John K. Castle, a pioneering figure in the private equity industry, the firm focuses on control deals typically exceeding $100 million in enterprise value. With a commitment to identifying and managing investment opportunities, Branford Castle oversees a diverse portfolio, leveraging its extensive experience and industry knowledge to drive growth and value in its investments. The firm is known for its strategic approach to private equity, emphasizing the potential of mid-sized companies in various sectors.

Blue Cloud Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2012 and based in New York City, with additional offices in Dubai, London, and Singapore. The firm specializes in growth equity investments, focusing primarily on late-stage software companies, particularly in sectors such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), ad-tech, education, and healthcare IT. Blue Cloud Ventures typically invests between $3 million and $10 million in funding rounds ranging from $10 million to $100 million, and often leads or co-leads investments in growth rounds of $10 million to $30 million. The firm targets companies with revenues between $10 million and $60 million and may also consider exceptional earlier-stage opportunities. For late-stage investments, Blue Cloud Ventures participates alongside existing investors in final funding rounds before an initial public offering or sale, without seeking board representation. The firm aims for successful exits through strategic sales, recapitalizations, or IPOs, positioning itself as a flexible partner for entrepreneurs.

Swisscom is Switzerland's leading telecommunications and IT company, headquartered in Ittigen, near Bern. It holds a significant market share in both mobile and fixed-line services, operating under a regulatory environment that allows it to maintain higher pricing compared to competitors. The company also has substantial international activities, particularly in Italy through its subsidiary Fastweb, which provides broadband services. Swisscom Ventures, established in 2007 and based in Zurich, acts as the corporate venture capital arm of Swisscom, focusing on early-stage investments in technology companies within the telecommunications, IT infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity sectors. Additionally, Swisscom engages in sustainability initiatives through its StartUp Challenge, promoting innovations that contribute to climate protection. With around 21,500 employees, Swisscom is recognized as one of the most sustainable companies in Switzerland and Europe.