Index Ventures

Index Ventures is a global venture capital firm that focuses on investing in technology companies. It has headquarters in San Francisco and London and has deep expertise in sectors such as marketplace, eCommerce, Big Data, Gaming, Open Source, and Security. The firm seeks to back ambitious entrepreneurs who aim to build large, global businesses.

Index Ventures invests in companies around the world and has made investments in more than 24 countries and 39 cities since its founding. Unlike some other venture capital firms, Index Ventures provides full-service support to its portfolio companies. When they invest, every partner in the firm assists and is available to the investee companies, offering access to the expertise and industry networks that the partners have developed over their investing careers.

While historically Index Ventures focused on more advanced startups, since 2005, the firm has also made seed investments, becoming the first institutional capital into transformative companies. For seed investments, Index Ventures typically invest between $100,000 and $2 million. In terms of size, Index Ventures manages a fund of $2.5 billion USD.

Index Ventures has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1996. The firm was officially established by Neil Rimer, David Rimer, and Giuseppe Zocco, who came together with a vision to support and invest in innovative technology companies. However, the roots of Index Ventures can be traced back even further.

The story begins with a Swiss bond-trading firm called Index Securities, founded by Gerald Rimer in 1976. In 1992, Gerald's son Neil Rimer joined the company and recognized the potential in technology investments. Together, they launched the technology investment arm within Index Securities, which would eventually evolve into an independent entity known as Index Ventures.

In 1996, Neil Rimer, David Rimer, and Giuseppe Zocco raised a pilot fund of $17 million, marking the official founding of Index Ventures. This initial fund was followed by a $180 million fund in 1998, allowing the firm to expand its investment activities and support more promising startups.

One notable milestone in Index Ventures' history is its expansion into Israel in 2003. The firm recognized the vibrant and innovative startup ecosystem in Israel and sought to capitalize on the opportunities it presented. Index Ventures made strategic investments in Israeli companies and continued to foster strong relationships within the country's tech community.

Over the years, Index Ventures has continued to raise funds to fuel its investment activities. The firm's third fund, raised in 2005, reached 300 million euros, with a significant portion earmarked for investments in Israeli companies. The following years saw the successful raising of subsequent funds, including the sixth fund in 2012, which raised 350 million euros to support European, U.S., and Israeli tech startups.

Index Ventures further solidified its position in the venture capital landscape with the launch of its seventh fund in 2017. This fund raised 400 million euros and was aimed at supporting new companies in key technology hubs such as London, San Francisco, Berlin, New York, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, and Paris. The firm continued to expand its presence and influence in these thriving tech ecosystems.

Throughout its history, Index Ventures has not only invested in promising companies but also played a pivotal role in supporting their growth and success. The firm's investment partners, including industry veterans such as Neil Rimer, Danny Rimer, and Jan Hammer, have brought their expertise and networks to the table, providing valuable guidance and support to the portfolio companies.

In addition to its focus on technology investments, Index Ventures also established a life sciences practice. However, in 2016, the life sciences arm of the firm spun off as an independent venture capital firm called Medicxi Ventures, allowing Index Ventures to sharpen its focus on technology-enabled companies.

Index Ventures has earned recognition and accolades over the years, with its partners frequently appearing on prestigious lists such as Forbes' Midas List of the top tech investors in Europe and Israel. The firm's commitment to identifying and supporting innovative startups has solidified its position as a prominent player in the venture capital industry.

As with any dynamic venture capital firm, Index Ventures continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing technology landscape. Its history is a testament to its entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to innovation, and dedication to fostering the growth of transformative companies around the world.

Index Ventures follows a set of investment criteria when considering potential investment opportunities. While specific criteria may vary based on the stage of the company and the sector, the following are some key factors that Index Ventures typically evaluates:

• Innovative Technology or Business Model: Index Ventures looks for companies that offer innovative technology or disruptive business models. The firm seeks companies that are at the forefront of technological advancements or have unique approaches to solving problems. Index Ventures is particularly interested in sectors such as the marketplace, e-commerce, big data, gaming, open source, and security, where it has deep expertise.
• Strong Entrepreneurial Team: The team behind the company is of utmost importance to Index Ventures. The firm seeks entrepreneurs who are passionate, experienced, and capable of executing their vision. Index Ventures values strong leadership, domain expertise, and a track record of success in the industry. The firm believes that a talented and committed team is crucial to the long-term success of a company.
• Market Potential and Growth: Index Ventures looks for companies that address large and growing markets. The firm evaluates the market size, trends, and potential for the company to capture a significant market share. Index Ventures seeks companies with the potential to become global leaders in their respective industries.
• Scalability and Global Reach: The ability to scale and expand globally is an important factor for Index Ventures. The firm seeks companies that have the potential to achieve rapid growth and expand beyond their initial market. Index Ventures leverages its global network and expertise to help portfolio companies navigate international expansion and enter new markets.
• Competitive Advantage: Index Ventures assesses the competitive landscape and evaluates the company's unique value proposition and competitive advantage. The firm looks for companies with defensible intellectual property, strong barriers to entry, or differentiated offerings that give them a competitive edge in the market.
• Business Traction and Milestones: Index Ventures considers the company's progress and milestones achieved. This includes factors such as revenue growth, user adoption, customer acquisition, partnerships, and product development. The firm looks for companies that have demonstrated traction and the ability to execute their business plans effectively.
• Alignment with Index Ventures' Values: Index Ventures seeks companies whose values align with its own. The firm values long-term relationships, collaboration, and a shared vision for creating positive impact. Index Ventures looks for entrepreneurs who are open to partnership and value the expertise and resources that the firm brings to the table.

Index Ventures is guided by a set of core values that shape its approach to investing and building relationships with entrepreneurs. These values reflect the firm's commitment to supporting innovative companies and creating long-term partnerships:

• People-Centric: Index Ventures believes that success in venture capital is not just about financial transactions but about the people behind the companies. The firm places a strong emphasis on building relationships with entrepreneurs, fostering curiosity, thoughtfulness, and deep conviction in their partnerships.
• Long-Term Orientation: Index Ventures takes a long-term view in its investments. It believes in the potential of companies even when there may be sceptics or challenges along the way. The firm is committed to supporting entrepreneurs throughout their journey, providing ongoing support and guidance.
• Global Perspective: With offices in San Francisco, New York, and London, Index Ventures has a global outlook. The firm recognizes the importance of international perspectives and seeks opportunities to invest in companies with a global impact. Index Ventures supports entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses globally and brings a diverse range of experiences and insights to its portfolio companies.
• Partnership and Collaboration: Index Ventures sees itself as a partner to entrepreneurs rather than just an investor. The firm actively engages with its portfolio companies, providing access to its network, expertise, and resources. Index Ventures collaborates closely with entrepreneurs to help them connect with new customers, navigate challenges, and achieve their growth goals.
• Conviction and Vision: Index Ventures is driven by a strong conviction in the entrepreneurs and companies it invests in. The firm looks for visionary founders who are tackling meaningful problems and building transformative businesses. Index Ventures believes in the power of innovation to drive positive change and supports entrepreneurs in realizing their vision.
• Humility and Care: The mark of Index Ventures is a hand, symbolizing humility, care, and the effort of entrepreneurs in building their businesses. The firm approaches its relationships with entrepreneurs with a sense of humility and respect, recognizing the hard work and dedication it takes to build a successful company. Index Ventures strives to provide support and resources that are tailored to the specific needs of each entrepreneur.

Index Ventures' mission is to partner with exceptional entrepreneurs and support them in building transformative companies that have a lasting impact on the world. The firm aims to be more than just an investor; it strives to be a trusted and long-term partner to entrepreneurs throughout their journey.

At the core of Index Ventures' mission is a deep belief in the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to drive positive change. The firm seeks out visionary entrepreneurs who are tackling important challenges and creating new opportunities in their respective industries. Index Ventures values bold ideas, disruptive technologies, and forward-thinking business models that have the potential to reshape markets and improve people's lives.

Index Ventures has an impressive portfolio of companies spanning various sectors and stages of growth. The firm has a history of backing innovative and visionary entrepreneurs, providing them with the necessary resources and support to succeed. Some notable companies in Index Ventures' portfolio include:

• Adyen: A leading global payments platform that enables businesses to accept payments and manage transactions efficiently.
• Confluent: A platform that provides real-time event streaming for businesses, built around Apache Kafka.
• Figma: A collaborative design platform that allows teams to create, prototype, and collaborate on designs in real-time.
• Revolut: A digital banking platform that offers a range of financial services, including banking, currency exchange, and cryptocurrency transactions.
• Notion: A productivity and collaboration tool that helps teams and individuals organize and manage their work effectively.
• Roblox: An online platform that enables users to create and play games, fostering a vibrant community of game developers and players.
• Slack: A communication and collaboration platform designed for teams, offering features such as messaging, file sharing, and integration with other tools.
• Deliveroo: An online food delivery platform that connects customers with a wide range of restaurants and eateries.
• Robinhood: A commission-free trading platform that allows individuals to invest in stocks, cryptocurrencies, and other financial instruments.
• Squarespace: A website building and hosting platform that empowers individuals and businesses to create professional-looking websites.