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Apostolos Apostolakis is a serial tech entrepreneur and Founding Partner at VentureFriends, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Athens, Greece. Before transitioning to venture capital, he co-founded several pioneering technology companies, including e-shop.gr, Doctoranytime, and e-food.gr, which was notably acquired by Delivery Hero in 2015. He began his professional career as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a degree from the National Technical University of Athens. Through VentureFriends, Apostolakis has helped raise €170 million across three funds to back over sixty startups, achieving major exits like the $360 million acquisition of InstaShop. He currently holds board positions at unicorn portfolio companies like Blueground while focusing his investments on pre-seed and seed-stage software, fintech, and marketplace startups operating across Europe, the United Kingdom, and the broader MENA region.
Apostolos Apostolakis stands as a pivotal figure in the European tech and venture capital landscape, renowned for his dual expertise as a highly successful serial entrepreneur and a discerning investor. As a founding Partner at VentureFriends, a prominent early-stage venture capital fund based in Athens, Greece, Apostolos plays a crucial role in identifying, funding, and nurturing the next generation of tech innovators.
Before transitioning into the world of venture capital, Apostolos built an impressive track record as an entrepreneur. He was instrumental in founding and scaling several groundbreaking companies that reshaped various industries. His ventures include e-shop.gr, one of Greece's pioneering e-commerce platforms; efood.gr, a leading food delivery service acquired by Delivery Hero; and taxibeat.gr, a ride-hailing app that was later acquired by Daimler. He also co-founded doctoranytime.gr in health tech and douleutaras.gr, a home services marketplace. This deep operational experience provides him with invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by startups, making him a highly empathetic and effective investor.
At VentureFriends, Apostolos Apostolakis leverages this rich entrepreneurial background to guide the fund's investment strategy. VentureFriends primarily focuses on Seed and Series A stage companies, seeking out startups with strong teams, innovative solutions, and significant potential for international expansion. Apostolos's investment focus areas are broad yet strategic, encompassing marketplaces, SaaS, fintech, health tech, e-commerce, proptech, and travel tech. He is particularly drawn to business models that demonstrate clear scalability and a path to market leadership.
His investment philosophy extends beyond capital injection. Apostolos is known for his hands-on approach, offering strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to his extensive network. He believes in partnering with founders to help them navigate growth, overcome hurdles, and achieve their vision. This founder-friendly approach has contributed to the success of numerous portfolio companies.
Under his guidance, VentureFriends has backed several notable companies that have gone on to achieve significant milestones. These include Instashop, a grocery delivery platform acquired by Delivery Hero; Blueground, a global proptech leader; Spotawheel, an online used car marketplace; Plum, a smart money app; and FlexCar, a flexible car leasing service. These investments underscore his ability to spot disruptive potential and support companies through critical growth phases.
In summary, Apostolos Apostolakis is more than just an investor; he is a builder of businesses and an architect of the future tech ecosystem. His unique blend of entrepreneurial grit and investment acumen makes him a highly sought-after partner for ambitious founders aiming for global impact.
Apostolos Apostolakis is a founding Partner at VentureFriends, a prominent early-stage venture capital fund. He is also a highly successful serial entrepreneur, having founded several impactful tech companies before transitioning into venture capital.
Apostolos Apostolakis primarily invests in early-stage (Seed and Series A) tech startups through VentureFriends. His focus areas include marketplaces, SaaS, fintech, health tech, e-commerce, proptech, and travel tech, with an emphasis on scalable business models and international growth potential.
Apostolos Apostolakis works as a Partner at VentureFriends, an early-stage venture capital fund. VentureFriends is based in Athens, Greece, and invests in tech companies across Europe and beyond.
