4

42CAP

Invests in seed-stage technology-driven companies across Europe with global ambition
42CAP
Leadership team

Thomas Wilke (Founder & General Partner)

Alex Meyer (Founder & General Partner)

Moritz Zimmermann (General Partner)

Julian Von Fischer (General Partner )

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Munich, Germany
Established
2016
Social Media
Summary

42CAP is a Munich-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups in Europe. The firm has a strong focus on innovation and disruption and is committed to supporting startups that have the potential to make a significant impact on their respective industries.

42CAP's investment approach is based on three core principles: strategic partnership, operational excellence, and long-term value creation. The firm partners closely with its portfolio companies to provide strategic guidance and resources, helping startups to navigate the challenges of scaling and achieving their full potential.

One of the key factors that set 42CAP apart is its team of experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts. The firm's partners and advisors have a wealth of experience in building and scaling successful startups and are able to provide invaluable insights and guidance to portfolio companies.

History

42CAP is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Germany, that focuses on investing in early-stage technology startups in Europe. The firm was founded in 2016 by two experienced investors, Alex Meyer and Thomas Wilke.

The name "42CAP" is a reference to "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," a science fiction novel by Douglas Adams in which the number 42 is revealed to be the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.

42CAP seeks out innovative companies with a strong vision and potential for significant growth. The firm's investment portfolio includes companies in a variety of industries, including enterprise software, artificial intelligence, and fintech. Some notable investments include Styla, a content automation platform, and Magazino, a developer of mobile robots for logistics.

In addition to providing funding, 42CAP offers strategic support and resources to help its portfolio companies succeed. The firm has a network of experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts who provide guidance and mentorship to portfolio companies.

Overall, 42CAP has quickly established itself as a key player in the European startup ecosystem, and its founders are committed to helping drive innovation and economic growth in the region. The firm's focus on early-stage startups with innovative technologies and strong potential for growth has proven to be successful, and it is well-positioned to continue making an impact in the industry.

Investment criteria

The firm seeks out innovative companies with a strong vision and potential for significant growth. Here are some of the investment criteria used by 42CAP:

  • Technology focus: 42CAP is interested in startups that are developing innovative technologies or business models that have the potential to disrupt industries.
  • Strong team: The firm looks for startups with strong, experienced teams who are passionate about their vision and have a track record of success.
  • Market potential: 42CAP is interested in startups that are targeting large, growing markets with significant potential for revenue growth.
  • Traction: The firm prefers to invest in startups that have already demonstrated some level of traction, such as user adoption or revenue growth.
  • Competitive advantage: 42CAP looks for startups with a clear competitive advantage, such as proprietary technology or a unique business model.
  • Scalability: The firm prefers startups that have the potential to scale rapidly and achieve significant market share.
  • Alignment with 42CAP's values: The firm is committed to investing in companies that align with its values of diversity, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Values

he firm has a strong set of values that guide its investment decisions and overall approach to business.

  • Diversity: 42CAP is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the startup ecosystem. The firm believes that diversity leads to better decision-making and helps foster a more innovative and collaborative environment.
  • Sustainability: The firm is committed to investing in companies that have a positive impact on the environment and society. 42CAP believes that startups have a responsibility to create sustainable solutions that address important global challenges.
  • Social responsibility: 42CAP is committed to investing in companies that have a positive impact on society. The firm believes that startups can play an important role in addressing social challenges and improving people's lives.
  • Partnership: 42CAP views its relationship with portfolio companies as a partnership. The firm works closely with its portfolio companies to provide strategic guidance, resources, and support to help them achieve their full potential.
  • Entrepreneurship: The firm is passionate about entrepreneurship and believes that startups have the potential to drive innovation and economic growth. 42CAP seeks out founders who are passionate, ambitious, and dedicated to their vision.
Mission

The firm's approach is focused on identifying innovative companies with a strong vision and potential for significant growth. 42CAP seeks out startups that are developing innovative technologies or business models that have the potential to disrupt industries. The firm is particularly interested in startups that are targeting large, growing markets with significant potential for revenue growth.

Once a startup is identified, 42CAP provides strategic support and resources to help the company succeed. The firm has a network of experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts who provide guidance and mentorship to portfolio companies. In addition, 42CAP provides funding to help startups scale and achieve their full potential.

Portfolio

The firm has a diverse portfolio of companies across a range of industries, including software, healthcare, and e-commerce. Here are some examples of companies in 42CAP's portfolio:

  • FlixBus: FlixBus is a leading long-distance bus travel company in Europe that offers affordable and comfortable travel options to passengers. The company has disrupted the traditional bus travel industry by using technology to optimize routes, pricing, and customer service.
  • Omni: Omni is a platform that allows retailers to offer flexible payment options to their customers, such as buy now, and pay later. The platform uses AI and machine learning to determine a customer's creditworthiness and make real-time lending decisions.
  • Scalable Capital: Scalable Capital is a digital investment management platform that offers low-cost, personalized investment portfolios to retail investors. The platform uses a combination of human expertise and technology to provide a seamless investment experience.
  • Riskmethods: Riskmethods is a SaaS platform that helps companies identify and mitigate supply chain risks. The platform uses AI and machine learning to monitor and analyze supply chain data in real time, helping companies proactively manage potential risks.
  • LeanIX: LeanIX is a SaaS platform that helps companies manage their IT architecture and digital transformation efforts. The platform provides real-time insights into a company's IT landscape, allowing businesses to optimize their systems and processes for maximum efficiency.
References
42CAP
Leadership team

Thomas Wilke (Founder & General Partner)

Alex Meyer (Founder & General Partner)

Moritz Zimmermann (General Partner)

Julian Von Fischer (General Partner )

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Munich, Germany
Established
2016
Social Media