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EarlyGame Ventures

Early Game Ventures (EGV) invests in startups that jumpstart new industries in the emerging markets of Europe.
EarlyGame Ventures
Leadership team

Cristian Munteanu (Managing Partner)

Radu Stoicoviciu (Partner)

Cristina Frusinoiu (CFO)

Dan Calugareanu (Partner)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Bucharest, Romania
Established
2018
Social Media
Summary

Early Game Ventures (EGV) is a prominent venture capital firm that specializes in early-stage investments in emerging market startups, with a particular focus on fostering innovation in Europe. Founded in 2018 by Cristian Munteanu and Dan Calugareanu, EGV has established itself as a key player in the European startup ecosystem. The firm's mission revolves around identifying and backing visionary founders who are spearheading groundbreaking technologies and industries. EGV's investment strategy often involves being the initial institutional supporter of these startups, providing not only capital but also mentorship and resources to help them realize their potential.

One standout feature of EGV is its concierge accelerator program, an exclusive initiative designed to nurture and propel a select group of startups each year. This highly selective program offers intensive, tailor-made support to help startups navigate the complexities of scaling and achieving their growth objectives.

History

Early Game Ventures, often abbreviated as EGV, is an early-stage venture capital firm with a specific focus on startups in emerging markets, particularly in Europe. It was founded in 2018 by its two founders, Cristian Munteanu and Dan Calugareanu, who brought their expertise and vision for investing in early-stage startups to the company.

EGV's primary mission is to identify and invest in startups that have the potential to pioneer new industries and technologies, with a particular emphasis on European markets. They are well-known for their investments in sectors such as software, autonomous cars, LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) & wellness, and cleantech.

The firm specializes in early-stage venture capital investments, typically serving as the first institutional investor in these startups. This approach aligns with their strategy of supporting founders who are deeply committed to their ventures.

One notable aspect of EGV is its concierge accelerator program. This program is highly selective, accepting only a small number of startups each year. It offers intensive and personalized support to help these startups grow and succeed, often involving mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources to accelerate their growth.

EGV is headquartered in Bucharest, Romania, strategically positioning itself to explore and invest in startups within the region and the broader European emerging markets.

Over the years, EGV has been actively involved in funding rounds for various startups, providing crucial financial support and guidance to help these companies scale and achieve their goals.

Investment criteria

EarlyGame Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in early-stage technology startups. The firm has a specific set of investment criteria that it uses to evaluate potential investments.

  • Disruptive technology: EarlyGame Ventures invests in startups that are working on disruptive technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and enterprise software. The firm is particularly interested in startups that have the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones.
  • Strong founding team: The firm places a high emphasis on the quality of the founding team behind the startup. EarlyGame Ventures looks for teams that have a track record of success and possess the necessary skills and experience to execute their vision.
  • Addressable market: The firm evaluates the size and potential of the market that the startup is targeting. EarlyGame Ventures looks for startups that are addressing large and growing markets with significant potential for revenue growth.
  • Product or service: The firm evaluates the quality and potential of the startup's product or service. EarlyGame Ventures looks for startups that have developed innovative solutions to address significant market needs.
  • Traction: The firm evaluates the level of traction that the startup has achieved to date. EarlyGame Ventures looks for startups that have demonstrated some level of product-market fit and are gaining momentum in their market.
  • Fundraising potential: The firm evaluates the startup's potential to raise additional capital in the future. EarlyGame Ventures looks for startups that have the potential to attract additional investment from top-tier investors.

Overall, EarlyGame Ventures is focused on investing in early-stage startups that have the potential to disrupt their respective markets and achieve significant growth. The firm is committed to supporting its portfolio companies throughout their lifecycle, providing both funding and operational support to help them reach their full potential.

 

Values
  • Entrepreneur-first: EarlyGame Ventures is focused on supporting entrepreneurs and their visions. The firm believes that successful startups are built by strong, visionary founders who are committed to solving significant market problems.
  • Long-term orientation: The firm takes a long-term view of its investments and is committed to supporting its portfolio companies throughout its lifecycle. EarlyGame Ventures understands that building a successful startup takes time and patience, and it is committed to providing the support and resources needed to help its portfolio companies succeed.
  • Value-added partnership: EarlyGame Ventures views its relationship with its portfolio companies as a partnership. The firm is committed to providing more than just funding, and it actively works with its portfolio companies to provide operational support and guidance.
  • Integrity and transparency: EarlyGame Ventures is committed to operating with integrity and transparency in all of its business practices. The firm believes that building trust with its stakeholders, including founders, investors, and partners, is essential for long-term success.
  • Diversity and inclusion: EarlyGame Ventures recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in building successful startups. The firm is committed to promoting diversity in its portfolio companies and the broader tech ecosystem.
  • Continuous learning: EarlyGame Ventures believes in the importance of continuous learning and improvement. The firm is committed to staying at the forefront of industry trends and best practices to better support its portfolio companies.
Mission

The firm's mission is to support entrepreneurs who are building disruptive technologies and solving significant market problems. EarlyGame Ventures believes that early-stage startups are the engines of innovation and job creation, and it is committed to helping these companies succeed by providing both funding and operational support. The firm's investment approach is focused on identifying and partnering with visionary founders who have a clear vision for the future and the skills and experience to execute that vision.

The firm's mission is reflected in its investment criteria, which prioritize disruptive technology, strong founding teams, and large and growing markets. EarlyGame Ventures also places a high emphasis on its relationships with its portfolio companies, viewing these as partnerships rather than transactions. The firm is committed to providing value-added support to its portfolio companies, including operational guidance, access to networks and resources, and introductions to potential customers and partners.

Portfolio

EarlyGame Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in early-stage technology startups in Europe. The firm has a diverse portfolio of companies across a range of industries, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and enterprise software.

Here are some of the notable companies in EarlyGame Ventures' portfolio:

  • Infarm: Infarm is a Berlin-based startup that develops vertical farming systems for use in urban areas. The company's technology allows for the cultivation of fresh produce in indoor environments, reducing the need for transportation and storage.
  • Personio: Personio is a Munich-based startup that offers human resources software for small and medium-sized businesses. The platform streamlines HR processes such as payroll and employee management.
  • FreightHub: FreightHub is a Berlin-based logistics startup that offers a digital platform for managing freight shipments. The platform allows customers to track shipments in real-time and offers a range of logistics services.
  • Wandelbots: Wandelbots is a Dresden-based startup that develops software for programming industrial robots. The company's technology allows non-experts to program robots using wearable devices.
  • DeepCode: DeepCode is a Zurich-based startup that develops AI-powered code analysis tools. The company's technology helps developers identify and fix bugs and security vulnerabilities in their code.
  • Finoa: Finoa is a Berlin-based startup that offers institutional-grade custody and asset management services for digital assets. The company's platform allows institutional investors to securely store and manage their cryptocurrency holdings.
  • Bryter: Bryter is a Berlin-based startup that develops a no-code automation platform for business processes. The platform allows non-technical users to build and automate complex workflows.
References
EarlyGame Ventures
Leadership team

Cristian Munteanu (Managing Partner)

Radu Stoicoviciu (Partner)

Cristina Frusinoiu (CFO)

Dan Calugareanu (Partner)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Bucharest, Romania
Established
2018
Social Media