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Key people at RAISE Ventures.
RAISE Ventures is an early-stage fund of the RAISE Group, specializing in Series A and Series B investments for European tech startups. They target innovative companies with strong technological barriers, proven commercial traction, scalable business models, and diverse teams with international ambitions, across all sectors.
RAISE Ventures typically invests up to 5M€ per startup, acting as either a lead or co-lead investor. They also employ a follow-up strategy for successful portfolio companies, demonstrating their commitment to continued support.
RAISE Ventures provides extensive support, including connecting startups with over 800 corporate decision-makers for commercial opportunities and granting access to a network of more than 200 experts specializing in sustainability, tech, data, and AI. They also organize over 50 events annually and offer guidance on ESG strategy.
RAISE Ventures operates as an evergreen fund, meaning it has an indefinite life and reinvests returns. It currently manages 80M€ in assets under management (AUM) and is classified as an Article 8 fund under SFDR regulations, indicating its commitment to environmental and social characteristics.
RAISE Ventures' investment strategy is primarily focused on the European market. They seek to invest in promising startups across various sectors within Europe, aiming to foster the next generation of tech leaders on the continent.
RAISE Ventures is an early-stage fund of the RAISE Group, specializing in Series A and Series B investments for European tech startups. They target innovative companies with strong technological barriers, proven commercial traction, scalable business models, and diverse teams with international ambitions, across all sectors.
RAISE Ventures typically invests up to 5M€ per startup, acting as either a lead or co-lead investor. They also employ a follow-up strategy for successful portfolio companies, demonstrating their commitment to continued support.
RAISE Ventures provides extensive support, including connecting startups with over 800 corporate decision-makers for commercial opportunities and granting access to a network of more than 200 experts specializing in sustainability, tech, data, and AI. They also organize over 50 events annually and offer guidance on ESG strategy.
RAISE Ventures operates as an evergreen fund, meaning it has an indefinite life and reinvests returns. It currently manages 80M€ in assets under management (AUM) and is classified as an Article 8 fund under SFDR regulations, indicating its commitment to environmental and social characteristics.
RAISE Ventures' investment strategy is primarily focused on the European market. They seek to invest in promising startups across various sectors within Europe, aiming to foster the next generation of tech leaders on the continent.
RAISE Ventures operates as the early-stage venture capital arm within the larger RAISE Group, building a portfolio of promising European technology startups. The fund targets Series A and Series B rounds, deploying capital with individual tickets up to 5M€ while often taking lead or co-lead investor positions. Beyond financial backing, RAISE Ventures provides tailored strategic support, including access to commercial opportunities with corporate partners, a network of over 200 technical and C-level experts, and guidance on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies.
The broader RAISE Group was co-founded in 2013 by Clara Gaymard and Gonzague de Blignieres, who established a platform committed to engaged and sustainable finance. This foundational insight drives RAISE Ventures' mission to identify and cultivate innovative companies that possess strong technological differentiation, demonstrated commercial traction, and international growth ambitions. Stéphane Pesqué and Thibaut Schlaeppi co-lead the RAISE Ventures team.
The fund serves ambitious European tech entrepreneurs across various sectors seeking not only capital but also active partnership and operational expertise to scale their ventures. RAISE Ventures’ vision is to empower these founders, supporting companies that are poised to shape the future of technology, delivering both financial returns and positive societal impact through their growth.
Key people at RAISE Ventures.
RAISE Ventures is a Paris-based venture capital firm founded in 2018 that invests primarily in European technology startups from pre-Seed to Series B stages. Its mission centers on supporting innovative, tech-driven companies with scalable business models, emphasizing diverse teams and technological barriers. The firm manages around €125 million across two investment vehicles, including a fund dedicated to responsible tech companies called RAISE Seed for Good. RAISE Ventures typically leads or co-leads rounds with initial investments between €1 million and €5 million, providing strategic value beyond capital. Its investment philosophy integrates long-term engagement aligned with the entrepreneurial and philanthropic DNA of the broader RAISE group, focusing on impact alongside financial returns[1][5].
RAISE Ventures was established in 2018 within the RAISE group, which itself was founded in 2013 by Clara Gaymard and Gonzague de Blignières as a pioneer in sustainable finance and innovation. The creation of RAISE Ventures aimed to complement the group’s existing investment activities by focusing specifically on innovation and operational support for startups. Stéphane Pesqué, co-head of RAISE Ventures, highlights the firm’s commitment to structuring investment offers that add strategic value to startups, reflecting the group’s entrepreneurial and philanthropic roots[1][3].
RAISE Ventures operates at the intersection of technological innovation and sustainable impact investing, riding the trend of responsible tech and diversity in entrepreneurship. The timing aligns with growing European emphasis on tech sovereignty, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria, and startup ecosystem maturation. By focusing on scalable, tech-driven companies with diverse teams, RAISE Ventures helps catalyze innovation that addresses both market opportunities and societal challenges. Its dual fund approach allows it to influence the ecosystem by supporting startups that combine profitability with positive social or environmental impact[1][3].
Looking ahead, RAISE Ventures is positioned to deepen its impact in Europe’s tech ecosystem by expanding its portfolio in both traditional and responsible technology sectors. Trends such as AI, blockchain, and circular economy innovations are likely to shape its investment focus, aligned with the broader RAISE group’s mission of sustainable growth. The firm’s ability to lead rounds and provide operational support will remain a key advantage as competition for high-potential startups intensifies. Its evolving influence may further integrate philanthropic goals with venture success, setting a model for mission-driven investing in Europe[1][3][4].
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 4, 2025 | Alinia AI | $7.5M Seed | Manuel Martinez | Charles Hudson, Thibaut Schlaeppi, Speedinvest |
| Nov 4, 2025 | nextProtein | $25.3M Debt / Series B | Sherine Shohdy, Julie Peyrache | Credit Mutuel Innovation, LCL, Mirova, Raise Ventures, Société Générale |
| May 1, 2025 | Lightsonic | $4.0M Seed | Maki.vc | Atomico, Curiosity VC, Sprettert, Allison Pickens (Allison Pickens Ventures), Johan Brand, Phillip Chambers, Nicolas Chow, Kjetil Holmefjord |
| Apr 15, 2024 | Qlower | $212.9M Series B | — | Air Liquide Venture Capital, Eiffel Investment Group, Hy24, Raise Ventures, Total Energy Ventures |
| Dec 1, 2023 | NeoCarbon | $3.0M Seed | Sophia Martin Ktiri | Ananda Impact Ventures, Capnamic Ventures, Julian Stiefel, Christian Vollmann, Matthias Gotta, Antler, PropTech1 Ventures, Speedinvest |
| May 1, 2023 | Worldia | $25.0M Series B | Credit mutuel innovation, Antoine Troesch, Frenchfounders | CapHorn Invest, Raise Ventures, Antoine Boulin |
| Apr 1, 2023 | Mooncard | $41.0M Series C | Orange Ventures, Portage | Aglae Ventures, Partech Ventures, Portage Ventures, Aglae Ventures, BlackFin Capital Partners, Raise Ventures |
| Mar 9, 2023 | ERS - Ecosystem Restoration Standard | $5.3M Ecosystem Restoration Standard - Seed | — | Ferdi Sigona, Angélique Elizé |
| Sep 1, 2021 | Mooncard | $24.0M Series B | — | Aglae Ventures, Partech Ventures, Portage Ventures, Aglae Ventures, Julien Creuze, Raise Ventures |
| Jul 8, 2021 | PowerZ | $8.5M Debt / Other Equity | — | Michael Benabou, Pierre Kosciusko-Morizet, ArkRep, Bayard, Bpifrance Digital Venture, Educapital, Hachette Livres, Opal Games, Raise Ventures, Zero Games |
| May 19, 2021 | Virtuo | $96.0M Debt / Series C | Benoit Fosseprez | Jeff Vinick, Alpha Intelligence Capital, Balderton Capital, Banque Populaire, Caroline Lebel, Caisse d'Epargne, H14, Iris Capital, Natixis, Raise Ventures |
| Jan 1, 2021 | Lovys | $21.0M Series A | — | Ankaa Ventures, DN Capital, Heartcore Capital, Left Lane Capital, Didier Rousseau, Bpifrance, MAIF Avenir, NewAlpha Asset Management, Portugal Ventures, Raise Ventures |
| Nov 1, 2020 | Livestorm | $30.0M Series B | F3A, Cyril Guenoun | Alven, ISAI, Kurma Partners, Partech Ventures, Idinvest Partners, Raise Ventures |
| May 27, 2020 | nextProtein | $11.2M Series A | Raise Ventures, Christian Lim, Telos Impact | Althelia Sustainable Ocean Fund, Aucfan, Kepple Africa Ventures, Mirova |
| Feb 1, 2019 | Virtuo | $23.0M Series B | — | Balderton Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, FirstMark Capital, #SecretFund, Sequoia Capital, Stéphane PESQUE, Raise Ventures |
| Jan 22, 2019 | Mooncard | $5.7M Other Equity | — | Aglae Ventures, Raise Ventures |
| Homaio | $4.0M Homaio Seed Round | Raise Ventures, EREN Groupe, Nicolas Chow, Thibaut Schlaeppi | Benjamin Daudignac, Benoit Roulon, Christian Couturier, Edouard N., Emanuel Coen, Gaelle Olivier, Mats Carduner, Olivier Legrain, Pierre Trémolières, Uli Mittermaier, Richard Würl, Cyril Bertrand |
