Accion is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1961 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to enhancing financial inclusion worldwide. The organization focuses on providing access to financial tools and services for underserved individuals, small businesses, and communities. Accion collaborates with financial service providers to deliver affordable and high-quality solutions, while also engaging with industry leaders and regulators to promote a more inclusive financial landscape. Through its Venture Lab initiative, Accion invests in innovative fintech startups that work to improve the accessibility, quality, and affordability of financial services for underserved populations. In addition to capital investment, Accion offers strategic and operational support to these startups, helping them scale and thrive in the formal economy. The organization emphasizes the use of technology and new business models to create impactful customer experiences, thereby fostering financial health and capabilities among those traditionally excluded from financial services.
Global Founders Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 2013 and based in Berlin, Germany, with a focus on empowering entrepreneurs globally. The firm is stage agnostic, investing in companies across various sectors, including internet, software, fintech, e-commerce, and telecommunications. Global Founders Capital typically invests in the equity of young technology companies, with a preference for startups located in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Vietnam, Colombia, Europe, the United States, and China. Investment amounts range from €0.01 million to €10 million, with specific allocations varying by stage: seed investments typically between €0.1 million and €1 million, early-stage investments between €1 million and €3 million, and growth-stage investments between €3 million and €8 million. The firm often seeks to be the lead investor and aims to secure board representation in its portfolio companies.
Credit Suisse, founded in 1856 and headquartered in Switzerland, is a prominent financial institution that offers a wide range of services in private banking and investment banking. The firm operates through multiple segments, including Global Markets, Investment Banking & Capital Markets, Swiss Universal Bank, and International Wealth Management. It provides over-the-counter derivative products, securities sales, trading and execution, investment research, and advisory services for corporate transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, Credit Suisse has a private equity arm that focuses on mezzanine investments and buyouts primarily in Europe and North America, and it also engages in venture capital through its Credit Suisse NEXT Investors division. The firm has a global presence, with subsidiaries and offices in major financial centers including London, New York, and Tokyo, catering to a diverse clientele that includes financial institutions, corporations, and governments.
Collaborative Fund, founded in 2010 by Craig Shapiro in New York, is an investment firm that focuses on supporting creative entrepreneurs in technology and media. The fund emphasizes two primary themes: the rise of the creative class and the shift toward collaborative consumption. These themes highlight the growing importance of values in consumer and employment decisions, as well as the transition from a hyper-consumption economy to one centered on collaboration. Collaborative Fund seeks to be a key source of capital and strategic support for businesses that aim to innovate and positively impact society. The fund has attracted investments from notable figures, including individuals with backgrounds in media and entrepreneurship, further enhancing its potential to influence the future of business and daily life.
Ulu Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California, founded in 2008 by Clint Korver and Miriam Rivera. The firm specializes in seed-stage and early-stage investments, primarily targeting technology-enabled services across various sectors, including enterprise IT, educational technology, legal informatics, digital media, mobile, IoT, FinTech, AgTech, and online advertising. Ulu Ventures focuses on opportunities within the Bay Area, particularly in the Stanford and Silicon Valley ecosystems. The firm typically collaborates with other investors to make cumulative investments ranging from $500,000 to $1 million, emphasizing a disciplined approach to decision-making that carefully weighs risk-reward trade-offs. Ulu's investment strategy aims to identify viable exit opportunities for portfolio companies as they progress through their growth stages.
SoftBank is a multinational telecommunications and internet corporation based in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 1981 by Masayoshi Son. It offers a wide range of services, including mobile and fixed-line communication, broadband, digital television, and internet services. The company operates through several segments, encompassing mobile communications, fixed-line telecommunications, and internet services, including the operation of the Yahoo! JAPAN portal and e-commerce platforms. SoftBank has also expanded into robotics, artificial intelligence, and clean energy technology, with notable acquisitions like Arm Holdings. Its investment arm, the SoftBank Vision Fund, focuses on growth-stage technology companies across various sectors such as IoT, fintech, and cloud computing, aiming to drive innovation and technological advancement. Additionally, SoftBank is involved in renewable energy, payment processing, and media distribution, maintaining a diverse portfolio that supports its overarching goal of fostering the Information Revolution and enhancing global connectivity.
Speedinvest is a European venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2011. It focuses on early-stage investments in technology-related companies, targeting sectors such as fintech, insurtech, deep tech, and consumer tech. The firm typically invests between €250,000 and €3 million, aiming for minority stakes of up to 20% in its portfolio companies. Speedinvest emphasizes operational support and seeks to collaborate closely with entrepreneurs, often taking on operational roles for six months to a year. With a network that extends to Silicon Valley, Speedinvest positions itself as a pivotal investment and development hub within Europe’s start-up ecosystem, actively investing in Central and Eastern European markets including Austria, Germany, and the UK.
Sequoia Capital is a prominent venture capital firm founded in 1972 and based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in investing across various sectors, including energy, financial services, healthcare, internet, mobile, and technology. Sequoia targets startups at different stages, from seed to growth, providing investments ranging from $100,000 to $100 million, depending on the company's maturity and market potential. The firm has a global presence, with significant operations in regions such as China, India, and Israel, where it actively partners with innovative founders to support the development of transformative companies. Sequoia Capital is known for its long-term commitment to its portfolio companies, leveraging extensive experience and industry knowledge to guide entrepreneurs from initial concept to public offerings. The firm also emphasizes the importance of social impact, as a significant portion of its profits is directed towards philanthropic causes.
Techstars is a global startup accelerator founded in 2006, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. It provides a supportive environment for entrepreneurs through various programs, including mentorship-driven accelerators, startup programs, and corporate innovation partnerships. Techstars connects founders with a vast network of mentors, investors, and industry experts to foster company growth. The organization operates multiple accelerator programs worldwide, focusing on diverse sectors such as mobility, retail, and social impact. It also manages a venture capital fund that invests in innovative technology companies at early stages. With over 1,000 companies in its accelerator portfolio, Techstars has developed a reputation for nurturing successful startups across various markets, helping them scale and achieve significant valuations.
Goldman Sachs is a global financial services firm that provides investment banking, securities, and investment management services to corporations, financial institutions, governments, and high-net-worth individuals worldwide. The company offers financial advisory services, underwriting services, and client execution services in various markets. They also engage in securities services, financing, and investing activities across a range of asset classes. Additionally, Goldman Sachs manages investment portfolios and mutual funds for institutions and individuals globally. The firm operates various segments, including Investment Banking, Institutional Client Services, Investing & Lending, and Investment Management. Founded in 1869 and headquartered in New York, Goldman Sachs aims to drive technology-based disruption and invest in late-stage venture capital and growth equity transactions to build revolutionary businesses worldwide.