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.

500 Global, formerly known as 500 Startups, is a venture capital firm and incubator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in seed investments, primarily focusing on early-stage technology and financial services startups across various sectors, including biotech, e-commerce, fintech, and digital healthcare. 500 Global operates a four-month accelerator program, where it typically invests between $0.05 million and $1 million for a 5 to 10 percent equity stake in companies with at least $100,000 in monthly revenue. The firm targets a global market, with particular emphasis on regions such as the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Since its inception, it has invested in over 2,200 startups and supports the growth of innovation ecosystems through educational programs and partnerships. 500 Global also prioritizes investments in companies led by minority founders, reflecting its commitment to diverse entrepreneurial leadership.

Thayer Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2009, based in San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Valencia, California. The firm specializes in early-stage, mid-stage, and growth capital investments primarily in technology companies that serve the travel and hospitality sectors. It focuses on areas such as foodservice, cruise lines, lodging, hospitality technology, travel technology, gaming, and airlines, deliberately avoiding investments in real estate, restaurants, and hotels. Thayer Ventures aims to capitalize on the significant disruption and innovation occurring within the travel industry, which represents over $10 trillion in annual global economic activity. As consumer behavior shifts due to the influence of the Internet and social media, the firm recognizes an increasing demand for advanced technologies that can enhance travel planning, organization, and booking processes. This evolving landscape presents unique opportunities for technology providers to penetrate and transform the travel market.

Bpifrance Financement S.A. is a French financial institution that provides a range of financing solutions and support services aimed at fostering the growth of startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and mid-cap companies. It offers various financial products, including medium to long-term loans, export insurance, and leasing options for both tangible and intangible assets. Additionally, Bpifrance supports companies through consulting services, guarantees for bank financing, and training for executives. The organization also engages in direct investments and manages funds aimed at enhancing the financial landscape for businesses at different stages of their development. Established in 1980 and based in Maisons-Alfort, France, Bpifrance was formerly known as OSEO S.A. and rebranded in July 2013. It operates as a subsidiary of Bpifrance SA, reinforcing its commitment to bolstering the French economy through diversified financial solutions.

SOSV is a global venture capital firm founded in 1995 and headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. Specializing in seed-to-growth stage investments, SOSV operates multiple accelerator programs worldwide, including HAX for hardware, IndieBio and RebelBio for life sciences, Chinaccelerator and MOX for cross-border internet ventures, Food-X for innovative food solutions, and dlab for blockchain technology. The firm focuses on investments in revolutionary deep technologies aimed at improving human and planetary health, as well as cross-border markets, particularly in Asia. SOSV invests in approximately 150 startups annually, providing support through its resources to accelerate product development and scaling. Over its two-decade history, SOSV has established a strong reputation, consistently ranking among the top venture capital firms globally.

Insight Partners is a global private equity and venture capital firm established in 1995, specializing in growth-stage investments in the software, internet, and data services sectors. Headquartered in New York City, with additional offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Palo Alto, the firm manages over $75 billion in assets and has invested in more than 750 companies worldwide. Insight Partners focuses on partnering with high-growth technology and software companies that are driving significant change in their industries. The firm aims to support visionary executives by providing practical, hands-on expertise throughout their growth journey, from initial investment to public offering. With a strong commitment to fostering a culture of growth and opportunity, Insight Partners has seen over 55 portfolio companies achieve IPO status.

Goldman Sachs is a global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm headquartered in New York City. Established in 1869, it provides a wide range of financial services to corporations, financial institutions, governments, and high-net-worth individuals. The firm operates through several segments, including Investment Banking, which offers financial advisory services related to mergers and acquisitions, and underwriting services for public and private offerings. Its Institutional Client Services segment facilitates client transactions across various asset classes and provides services like securities lending. The Investing & Lending segment focuses on long-term loans and investments in debt and equity securities, while the Investment Management segment offers portfolio management and wealth advisory services. Additionally, Goldman Sachs engages in private equity investments across multiple sectors and geographies, reinforcing its position as a leading investor in both public and private markets.

FJ Labs is a U.S.-based investment firm established in 2015 by Fabrice Grinda. The firm operates with a stage-agnostic approach, primarily targeting marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. FJ Labs focuses its investments on seed and Series A rounds, with a financial commitment ranging from $50,000 to $5,000,000. The firm has invested in a variety of notable companies, including Alibaba Group, beepi, BrightRoll, Betterment, and ADORE ME.

Sequoia Capital is a prominent venture capital firm founded in 1972 and based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in investing across various stages of startups, including seed, early, and growth stages, and focuses on sectors such as technology, healthcare, financial services, internet, and mobile. Sequoia typically invests between $100,000 and $1 million in seed companies, $1 million to $10 million in early-stage ventures, and $10 million to $100 million in growth investments. The firm operates globally, with significant activities in regions like Israel, China, and India, where it partners with dynamic founders to build successful companies. Sequoia's extensive portfolio includes notable firms and offers valuable insights and resources, benefiting from decades of experience in the venture capital landscape.

Seed Capital invests in Danish tech businesses with global ambitions. We are focused on "late seed"-stage companies, typically investing 1-3 MEUR in rounds of 1-6 MEUR. Proud backers of Trustpilot, Vivino, Lunar, Templafy, Dixa, Forecast, and many other great companies.

Portugal Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Portugal that specializes in investing in innovative, scientific, and technology-driven companies, as well as those in tourism and industrial sectors. Established in June 2012 through the merger of three state-backed private equity firms, it focuses on startups with global ambitions that are in their seed and early stages. The firm typically invests between 300,000€ and 1,500,000€, with a preference for co-investing alongside both Portuguese and international partners. Investments are structured in tranches, contingent upon the achievement of specific milestones. By taking minority stakes and securing seats on the Board of Directors, Portugal Ventures aims to partner with exceptional entrepreneurs to enhance their competitiveness and success. The firm operates from its headquarters in Porto and has an office in Lisbon, supporting companies that contribute to the Portuguese economy and seek to expand into global markets.

F Prime, Inc. is a venture capital firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with additional offices in San Francisco and London. Founded in 1969, it is part of the legacy of Fidelity Investments, one of the largest asset management firms in the world. F Prime focuses on investing in North American and European companies across various sectors, including healthcare, life sciences, medtech, technology, and health information technology. The firm operates several specialized funds, such as those dedicated to healthcare and life sciences, which aim to support early-stage companies in these industries. With a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, F Prime leverages its extensive insights, domain expertise, and relationships to assist entrepreneurs in building impactful companies, all while avoiding the pressures of external fundraising.

SoftBank Group Corp. is a multinational telecommunications and internet corporation based in Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1981, it provides a wide range of services including mobile and fixed-line communications, broadband, and digital television. The company operates through several segments, including the SoftBank Vision Fund, which focuses on investing in technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and fintech. Additionally, SoftBank manufactures and distributes mobile devices and offers services in e-commerce, internet advertising, and IT solutions. The firm also engages in renewable energy by generating and supplying electricity. Beyond telecommunications, SoftBank has interests in various sectors, including media, professional sports, and fashion through platforms like ZOZOTOWN. With a global presence, SoftBank actively invests in growth-stage companies, aiming to foster innovation and technological advancement across diverse industries.

Global Brain is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm founded in 1998, specializing in early-stage investments across various sectors, including e-commerce, software, gaming, media, IoT, education, entertainment, and fintech. The firm has expanded its investment activities to the US and Asia, targeting series A-stage technology companies. Since its inception, Global Brain has invested in approximately 30 companies, achieving seven initial public offerings and seven mergers and acquisitions. The firm supports its portfolio companies by providing not only capital but also strategic guidance, partnerships, and team-building resources to help them reach their milestones. Global Brain is particularly adept in e-commerce, operating a platform called EC-PLANET, which encompasses several group companies, including a large online sports goods store and a logistics firm offering comprehensive fulfillment services. This network, along with Global Brain's connections to established Japanese companies, facilitates market entry for US and Asian businesses into Japan.

Flashpoint is an international asset management firm specializing in investments in software companies, particularly in the business-to-business (B2B) sector. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in London, the firm manages approximately $500 million in assets across six venture funds, including four venture capital funds, a venture debt fund, and a secondary fund. It focuses primarily on early-stage technology start-ups in Eastern Europe, Israel, and select markets in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Finland. Flashpoint has invested in over 50 companies, including notable names such as Guesty, Chili Piper, and Office RnD, and has successfully completed eleven exits, including stakes in Shazam and Chess.com. The firm is backed by more than 120 family offices and high-net-worth individuals, and it operates offices in major cities such as Tel-Aviv, Budapest, Warsaw, Riga, and Nicosia.

Global Founders Capital (GFC) is a venture capital firm established in 2013 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany. The firm is stage agnostic, meaning it invests in companies at various stages of development, from early-stage ventures to those preparing for an initial public offering. GFC focuses on empowering talented entrepreneurs and seeks investment opportunities in sectors such as internet, retail, financial software, media, communication, and information technology. With a global perspective, GFC aims to support innovative companies across all continents.

Enhanced Capital Partners, founded in 1999 and headquartered in New York, is a national investment firm that specializes in equity and debt investments in small and mid-sized companies across the United States. With over $400 million under management, the firm employs a flexible investment strategy aimed at promoting the growth and expansion of businesses. Enhanced Capital focuses on various sectors, including healthcare technology and technology, media, and telecommunications. As a subsidiary of P10 Holdings, it seeks to maximize the growth potential of companies poised for rapid development through its practical investment approach.

Branded Hospitality Ventures (BSV) is a micro venture investment and solutions platform focused on the hospitality sector. It connects emerging concepts in hospitality technology, unique food and beverage offerings, and capital providers, aiming to create value and mitigate risks associated with investments in these areas. BSV leverages its extensive network of hospitality venues and relationships to identify and support early and growth-stage companies that are poised to disrupt the industry through innovation in cost reduction and operational efficiency. The firm actively seeks unique investment opportunities in the restaurant, hotel, and leisure sectors, typically preferring minority stakes in its investments, thereby facilitating partnerships that enhance customer experiences and streamline operations across the hospitality ecosystem.

Founded in 2005, Geolo Capital is a California-based real estate firm that primarily focuses on hospitality properties in the United States.

We are a self-managed hotel investment company organized to continue and expand the existing hotel investment business of our predecessor, Summit Hotel Properties, LLC., a leading U.S. hotel owner. We focus primarily on acquiring and owning premium-branded, select-service hotels in the upscale and upper midscale segments of the U.S. lodging industry. Our current portfolio consists of 90 hotels with a total of 11,368 guestrooms located in 22 states. Our hotels are located in markets in which we have extensive experience and that exhibit multiple demand generators, such as business and corporate headquarters, retail centers, airports and tourist attractions. Based on total number of rooms, approximately 76% of our portfolio is positioned in the top 50 metropolitan statistical areas, or MSAs, and approximately 90% is located within the top 100 MSAs.

HV Capital is a Munich- and Berlin-based venture capital firm that supports founders in developing their internet companies. Since 2000 HV Capital, formerly HV Holtzbrinck Ventures, has invested in Internet and technology companies through various generations of funds and is one of the most successful and financially strongest early-stage and growth investors in Europe. HV Capital has already invested in around 200 companies, including Zalando, Delivery Hero, FlixMobility and SumUp. The total of all HV Funds amounts to €1.7 billion. The company supports startups with capital between €500,000 and €50 million. This makes HV Capital one of the few venture capitalists in Europe that can finance startups through all growth phases.

work with private equity and venture capital fund managers, investment advisors and business entities from around the world.

NFX is a California-based seed investment firm established in 2015, dedicated to transforming the funding landscape for innovators and entrepreneurs. The firm emphasizes a founder-centric approach, guided by the belief that significant creations arise from unique insights. NFX aims to enhance the early-stage experience for founders by leveraging software solutions and introducing effective yet lesser-known strategies for achieving network effects and growth. The firm also focuses on making visible the successful methods employed by leading technology companies. With a track record of building ten companies that collectively achieved over $10 billion in exits, NFX combines entrepreneurial experience with investment expertise. Additionally, NFX Bio is an initiative within the firm that targets scientist-founders in the seed stage, helping them navigate the transition from science to entrepreneurship through technology-focused guidance. NFX is committed to supporting the next generation of ambitious founders, ensuring they have the resources and knowledge needed to succeed.

Speedinvest GmbH is a venture capital firm founded in 2011 and based in Vienna, Austria, specializing in early-stage investments in technology-related startups across Europe. The firm focuses on sectors such as deep tech, fintech, health, industrial tech, consumer marketplaces, software as a service, and climate tech. Speedinvest typically invests between €0.25 million and €3 million in pre-seed to Series A stages, aiming to take minority stakes of up to 20% in its portfolio companies. The firm emphasizes operational support, often taking on active roles within the companies it invests in for periods ranging from six months to a year. With additional offices in cities including San Francisco, Berlin, Paris, London, and Munich, Speedinvest seeks to leverage a global network to enhance its contributions to Europe’s startup ecosystem.

Kinnevik is an industry-focused investment company based in Sweden, founded in 1936 by the Stenbeck, Klingspor, and von Horn families. The company aims to build digital consumer businesses that enhance choice for consumers. Kinnevik partners with talented founders and management teams to create, invest in, and lead fast-growing enterprises in both developed and emerging markets. Committed to delivering both shareholder and social value, Kinnevik emphasizes the importance of well-governed companies that contribute positively to society.

Notion Capital is a London-based venture capital firm founded in 2009 that specializes in investing in early-stage B2B SaaS and enterprise technology companies across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. The firm primarily focuses on series A to series D investments and targets sectors such as cloud computing, fintech, ad tech, cybersecurity, and health tech. Notion aims to support high-potential businesses by fostering strong relationships and helping shape their growth strategies to achieve significant scale. Its commitment to the technology and cloud markets positions Notion as a key player in nurturing the next generation of innovative startups.

Howzat Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 2006, with offices in Luxembourg and London. The firm specializes in a range of investment stages, including incubation, seed, startup, growth capital, early stage, and mid venture investments. It focuses on digital businesses, particularly those in the internet, digital media, and e-commerce sectors, and operates on a global scale. In addition to direct investments, Howzat Partners also engages in co-investments and provides strategic support as a sounding board for its portfolio companies.

G Squared, established in 2011 and headquartered in California with additional offices in Zurich, Greenwich, and Chicago, focuses on early-stage investments in technology companies in the United States. The firm recognizes the trend of venture-backed companies remaining private for extended periods, leading to a need for both primary capital for growth and transitional capital for liquidity among early investors and employees. G Squared adopts a unique approach compared to traditional venture capital, partnering with innovative entrepreneurs who are addressing significant challenges and aiming for exceptional returns. The firm has invested in well-known companies such as 23andMe, Coursera, Instacart, Lyft, Pinterest, and Spotify, as well as emerging disruptors like Asana, Blend, Bolt, Brex, Capsule, Flexport, Impossible Foods, Toast, and Turo.

Hospitality Invest offers investment management services to a range of sectors such as real estate, healthcare, hotels, and recruitment.

Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983 and based in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in San Francisco, London, and Bangalore. The firm specializes in early and growth-stage investments, focusing on technology sectors such as software, big data, cloud technologies, fintech, healthcare, and digital media. Accel is known for backing innovative entrepreneurs and has a history of investing in notable companies including Facebook, Dropbox, and Spotify. With over three decades of experience, Accel employs dedicated teams that utilize market-specific strategies to identify and support the next generation of industry leaders. The firm manages approximately $9.6 billion and carries out investments typically ranging from $5 million to $15 million, aiming to foster the development of world-class, category-defining businesses globally.

Camber Creek, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Rockville with an office in New York, focuses on investing in technology-related companies within the real estate sector across the United States. The firm leverages the extensive real estate expertise, operating experience, and diverse portfolio of assets held by its partners, investors, and advisors to enhance the success of its portfolio companies. With a team experienced in various aspects of real estate, including construction, property management, development, and leasing, Camber Creek benefits from a unique competitive advantage. Its investors collectively manage over 150 million square feet of real estate, positioning Camber Creek as a valuable partner in the evolving real estate technology landscape.

Cloud Equity Group is a private equity firm based in New York, established in 2013. The firm specializes in providing debt services to mid-market technology companies, with a particular focus on the expanding sectors of web hosting and cloud-based infrastructure. By strategically positioning itself within these rapidly growing industries, Cloud Equity Group aims to capitalize on investment opportunities that arise in the information technology sector globally.

Picus Capital is an early-stage technology investment firm with a long-term investment philosophy. We work together with daring technology companies to build successful, global companies challenging the status quo and shaping tomorrow. We want to become the closest partner of our portfolio companies by working together on key strategic decisions and operative challenges. As a privately financed venture capital investor with long-term and flexible capital we are looking for exceptional founders who are committed to building category leaders throughout the next 5-10+ years. We invest in early-stage technology ventures with a focus on Real Estate, Finance & Insurance, Human Resources, Renewable Energy, Mobility, and Health. Picus makes initial investments in pre-seed, seed and series A ventures thereby starting to work together with entrepreneurs in various stages of their companies ranging from ideation phase to initial traction. We follow a very long-term investment approach investing significant amounts throughout the lifecycle of the companies. We have invested in over 50 companies to date. At Picus we work in a culture combining the discipline of a financial investor with the creativity and pragmatism of an entrepreneur. We follow a comprehensive and well-structured investment approach in order to identify the most attractive and ambitious investment opportunities in our target industries and geographies. Within our core investment team every member has a distinctive industry competence and a functional or geographic focus. We are working closely together with our portfolio companies to develop large and successful market leaders. This comprises in particular leveraging our marketing & sales expertise and our global market perspective to provide strategic advice, providing HR management to grant access to top talent, connecting our portfolio companies with our broad B2B & investor network as well as supporting the fundraising process.

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.

Alumni Ventures Group, LLC is a venture capital firm founded in 2013 and based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with additional offices in North America. The firm specializes in seed, early-stage, and late-stage pre-IPO investments, focusing on companies that have an alumni connection and an institutional lead investor with relevant expertise. It offers high-quality, diversified venture portfolios to individual investors, particularly accredited alumni from top entrepreneurial schools, who previously lacked access to venture capital opportunities. Alumni Ventures Group invests between $0.01 million and $3 million in various sectors and geographies, without seeking board or observer seats. Additionally, the firm provides focused funds that enable any accredited investor to access a diverse venture portfolio, allowing for investment across different types, sectors, stages, and geographical locations.

Fifth Wall Ventures Management, LLC is a prominent venture capital firm based in Venice, California, with an additional office in San Francisco. Founded in 2016, it focuses on investing in early-stage technology companies within the real estate sector, also known as property technology or "proptech." The firm manages approximately $1 billion across three funds and typically invests between $5 million and $25 million in startups. Its investment strategy targets various sectors, including retail, industrial, hospitality, multi-family housing, homebuilding, office, and brokerage. Fifth Wall connects leading real estate owners and operators with innovative technology entrepreneurs, fostering partnerships that aim to redefine the future of the built environment. The firm is supported by a diverse array of strategic limited partners, which include major players in the real estate industry, thereby enhancing its ability to identify promising investment opportunities.

Grassy Creek, LLC is a private equity firm specializing in investments in real estate with a focus on property acquisition and management, and technology. The firm also focuses on asset management. Grassy Creek, LLC is based in London, United Kingdom with additional offices in Mill Valley, California; New York, New York; Crested Butte, Colorado; and Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Advantage Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 1992, headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, with additional offices across the United States. The firm specializes in growth equity, lending, and mezzanine debt investments, focusing primarily on small businesses at various stages of development, excluding seed stage. Advantage Capital targets investments in low-income communities, both urban and rural, and supports economic development initiatives. The firm seeks to invest in companies that utilize proprietary technologies in sectors such as communication, information technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and energy, among others. It offers various forms of debt capital, including senior and mezzanine debt, and has a preference for co-investing with other firms. Initial investments typically range from $0.5 million to $10 million in companies with sales under $5 million, with potential for larger investments based on milestones. Advantage Capital is committed to addressing the funding gaps in underserved areas and fostering economic growth in communities that lack traditional sources of risk capital.

Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund is an outgrowth of Revolution’s Rise of the Rest platform, a national initiative launched in 2014 to spotlight emerging startup hubs. Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund invests in seed- and early-stage companies located outside of New York City, Silicon Valley, and Boston. By partnering with regional ecosystem leaders and co-investors, Rise of the Rest is helping to build and scale the next wave of transformational companies. The Rise of the Rest Seed Funds are backed by a group of iconic entrepreneurs and business leaders committed to the vision that the next great startups will be located outside of the coastal tech hubs.

Spark Capital Partners, LLC is a venture capital and private equity firm founded in 2005, with offices in Boston, New York, and San Francisco. The firm specializes in growth capital investments across a wide range of sectors, including media, entertainment, technology, education services, consumer goods, fintech, and software. Spark Capital focuses on investing in various stages, from seed and early-stage startups to mid and late-stage companies, with investments typically ranging from $0.5 million to $30 million in firms generating up to $1 billion in revenue. The firm takes an active role in its portfolio by seeking board seats and aims to support founders in achieving their unique visions. Spark Capital is particularly interested in businesses at the intersection of technology and entertainment, as well as those in internet services, digital marketplaces, and consumer health.

Enlightened Hospitality Investments (EHI) is a strategic investment platform affiliated with Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, focused on fostering growth in values-aligned companies within the hospitality and technology sectors. Based in New York, EHI operates a private equity growth expansion fund that aims to identify and capitalize on investment opportunities in various industries, including information technology, restaurants, hotels, and leisure. The fund typically invests between 10 million and 30 million dollars, utilizing the expertise and network of USHG to enhance the growth potential of both internal and external ventures.

Starwood Capital Group is a private investment firm founded in 1991 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, with additional offices in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. The firm specializes in direct investments across various asset classes, including private equity, real estate, and infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on opportunistic investing. Starwood Capital has invested approximately $11.8 billion in equity, focusing on sectors such as energy, hospitality, homebuilding, and luxury retail. The firm targets investments ranging from $5 million to $100 million in companies with sales up to $5 billion. Its real estate portfolio includes multi-family, office, retail, and industrial properties, as well as hotels and distressed assets. Starwood Capital employs a flexible investment approach, structuring its investments through equity, preferred equity, mezzanine debt, and senior debt to adapt to changing risk-return dynamics in the market.

SAMHI Hotels is a prominent hotel asset company in India that specializes in the development, acquisition, and ownership of branded hotels. With a portfolio located in prime markets characterized by high demand and significant barriers to entry, SAMHI stands out in the Indian hospitality sector due to its extensive geographical presence and the quality of its hotel offerings. The company operates under well-known brands such as Courtyard by Marriott, Hyatt Place, and Four Points by Sheraton, leveraging global distribution channels and strong loyalty programs to enhance its market position. Founded by Ashish Jakhanwala and Manav Thadani, SAMHI has attracted major international hotel operators as partners, which has contributed to its reputation as one of the largest institutional multi-branded hotel ownership companies in India. The firm is backed by notable shareholders including Equity International and GTI Capital Group, providing a strong foundation for its continued growth and success in the hospitality industry.

VentureFriends is a venture capital fund based in Athens, Greece, that specializes in seed-stage investments in tech-enabled startups. The fund focuses on sectors such as PropTech, FinTech, Marketplaces, TravelTech, and SaaS, aiming to identify companies that can establish a sustainable competitive advantage. VentureFriends typically invests between €0.3 million and €2.5 million per startup, with the ability to follow on with total investments ranging from €5 million to €10 million. The fund is managed by a team of former entrepreneurs and angel investors, which informs its founder-friendly investment approach. While the fund predominantly targets startups in Europe, it also has a strong focus on the Greek market.

Sunstone Capital, now known as Heartcore Capital, is a venture capital firm established in 2007 that focuses on early-stage investments in consumer technology startups. The firm specializes in seed, series A, and growth investments, targeting both B2C and B2B2C companies. Its investment areas include direct-to-consumer brands, food, digital health, travel, finance, marketplaces, and consumer subscriptions. Heartcore Capital operates from offices in Copenhagen, Berlin, and Paris, actively investing across Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom, and occasionally in the United States. With over $500 million raised across four fund generations, the firm has supported more than 70 founding teams, emphasizing a collaborative approach that nurtures both business growth and personal development for entrepreneurs.

Imbiba Partnership is a private equity and venture capital firm based in London, specializing in start-ups and growth capital investments in the UK leisure and hospitality market. Founded in 1997, the firm targets investments ranging from £1 million to £10 million and has developed significant expertise in these sectors over its more than 19 years of operation. Imbiba focuses on providing support to entrepreneurs, particularly in areas such as property, strategic marketing, and operational finance, which has allowed it to achieve consistent high returns. In addition to its core investments in restaurants and hospitality brands, the firm also engages in real estate investments.

Tesi, established in 1995, is a Finnish government agency dedicated to promoting business growth and employment within Finland. It engages in both direct and indirect investments in companies and investment vehicles, aiming to stimulate the growth and internationalisation of Finnish businesses. Tesi collaborates with private co-investors to invest in venture capital funds and growth companies across various sectors. The agency utilizes proceeds from the privatisation of state-owned companies to finance investments, which support the development of investee companies, facilitate spin-offs, and address significant industrial investments and corporate restructurings. With capital investments exceeding 570 million euros, Tesi plays a crucial role in fostering the Finnish economy.

P101 SGR S.p.A. is a venture capital firm based in Milan, Italy, specializing in early-stage investments primarily in the digital sector. Founded in 2013 by Andrea Di Camillo, who has extensive experience in venture capital, the firm targets various industries, including financial technology, e-commerce, mobile, social media, travel, wellness, and technology-driven companies. P101 primarily invests in Italian startups, providing funding in the range of €0.5 million to €5 million. The firm aims to support new entrepreneurs by offering not only capital but also expertise and resources to help accelerate the growth of their businesses. The name P101 pays homage to the Programma 101, a groundbreaking personal computer designed by Olivetti in the 1960s, symbolizing a significant moment in Italian innovation and digital history.

IMM Investment Corp. is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Seoul, South Korea, established in 1999. The firm specializes in mezzanine investments and focuses on sectors such as information technology, healthcare, biotechnology, and manufacturing. It engages in various investment activities including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, management buyouts, and cross-border investments. In its growth stage investments, IMM allocates resources to startups, expansion, and mezzanine financing, with a significant emphasis on information technology infrastructure and digital content. The firm also targets medium-sized companies and prefers an active management role in its investments. Additionally, IMM Investment undertakes secondary investments and co-invests in buyout transactions, aiming for strategic opportunities in diverse industries, including telecommunications, entertainment, and biotechnology.

Tripadvisor is a prominent travel guide and research platform that offers extensive reviews and information on accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines, and cruises. Founded in 2000, it features over 1 billion reviews and covers approximately 8 million listings worldwide. Users can access various tools, such as the ability to save and personalize travel plans, check hotel prices across different vendors, and share vacation videos. The platform also includes interactive forums for travelers to engage with one another. In 2023, Tripadvisor's revenue was primarily generated from its core brand, which includes hotel advertising, as well as its experiences brand, Viator, and its dining brand, TheFork. The company operates in multiple countries, providing a comprehensive resource for travelers seeking to plan their trips effectively.