Zurich, Feb 13: In a significant move within Switzerland’s tech investment landscape, Wingman Ventures has undergone a transformation, emerging as Founderful, with a renewed focus and ambitious plans for the future.
The rebranding announcement coincides with the revelation that Founderful has successfully raised $85 million for its new fund, marking a pivotal moment in the firm’s evolution.
Founded in 2019 by industry veterans Pascal Mathis, Alex Stöckl, and Lukas Weder, Founderful has built a reputation for its founder-centric approach and commitment to nurturing ambitious Swiss startups. With a mission to propel local tech ventures onto the global stage, the firm has already made substantial strides, boasting nearly 50 investments in the past four years alone.
Under its previous identity as Wingman Ventures, the firm demonstrated its dedication to supporting early-stage startups, particularly in their initial financing rounds.
This hands-on approach has yielded impressive results, with Founderful-backed companies experiencing significant growth and success.
Notable examples include Wingtra, a leader in survey drones, and DePoly, renowned for its revolutionary plastics recycling technology.
With the launch of Fund II, Founderful aims to build upon its previous successes and continue fostering the next generation of Swiss tech leaders.
Already, the firm has allocated capital to promising ventures such as Chiral Nano, Nala Earth, and Ascento, spanning diverse sectors including alternative silicon chips, ESG reporting, and security robotics.
Reflecting on the firm’s evolution, Alex Stöckl, Founding Partner at Founderful, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with the most ambitious founders in the Swiss ecosystem.
He emphasized Switzerland’s growing prominence in the global venture capital landscape, fueled by a shift towards cutting-edge technologies addressing pressing societal challenges.
Founderful’s impressive track record and visionary approach have garnered support from a diverse array of backers, including institutions, family offices, and successful startup founders. Severin Hacker, CTO and co-founder of Duolingo, praised Founderful’s unwavering commitment to creating value for the founders they support, highlighting the rarity of such dedication within the investment community.
Jonas Theiler, Head of Asset Management at Artemis Group, underscored the substance and relevance of Founderful-backed companies, affirming the firm’s pivotal role in bolstering the Swiss venture ecosystem. Founderful’s laser focus on B2B software and industrial technology aligns with Switzerland’s strengths in robotics, artificial intelligence, and material sciences.
Lukas Weder, Founding Partner at Founderful, emphasized the firm’s dedication to providing unparalleled support to founders, drawing from their own experiences as entrepreneurs. He outlined Founderful’s commitment to redefining founder-friendliness, offering not only financial backing but also invaluable advice and insights.
Founderful’s investment thesis is grounded in three compelling megatrends that underscore Switzerland’s status as a burgeoning tech hub.
The country’s consistent top rankings in global innovation indices, coupled with significant investments from big tech players, affirm Switzerland’s potential as a fertile ground for tech innovation.
Yoram Wijngaarde, CEO and founder of Dealroom, highlighted Switzerland’s ascendance as one of Europe’s fastest-growing VC ecosystems, underscoring its significance within the global investment landscape. With nine tech unicorns on its roster and a population of just nine million, Switzerland’s stature as a tech powerhouse is undeniable.
As Founderful embarks on this new chapter, the firm remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering Swiss startups and driving innovation in the region’s tech sector. With Fund II poised for success, Founderful is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Swiss entrepreneurship and technology.
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