Archive — US — techcrunch
Daphni secures $215M for its third fund
Daphni, a French VC firm, has closed its third fund, Daphni Blue, raising €200 million ($215 million) with a goal of €250 million ($270 million). The fund aims to invest in 40 startups, emphasizing science-driven innovation over typical VC trends. Daphni has invested in 70 startups since 2015 and plans to enhance its team with diverse expertise to leverage research commercialization in its investment strategy.
Key points
- Daphni has secured €200 million for its third fund, Daphni Blue, with a goal of raising €250 million by year-end.
- The firm has invested in 70 European startups since 2015 and aims to fund an additional 40 startups with the new capital.
- Notable past investments include Back Market, Swile, Hubcycle, and Pasqal.
- Daphni focuses on supporting sustainable technologies and prioritizes science-driven innovations across various fields including life sciences, physics, and mathematics.
- The firm is expanding its investment team by recruiting profiles with scientific backgrounds to align with its investment philosophy.
- Daphni emphasizes that successful raising of funds is aimed at distributing returns, highlighting the importance of exits.
Why it matters
- Daphni's strategy reflects a growing trend among investors to prioritize scientific innovations, which aligns with the 2025 IT trends emphasizing the role of deep tech and fundamental science.
- The VC landscape is increasingly competitive, with firms needing to differentiate themselves amid a potential consolidation trend dominated by American companies.
- The commercialization of research is becoming a priority, influenced by the startup culture and funding shifts observed post-pandemic, particularly in Europe.
Daphni's latest fund reflects a strategic shift towards sustainable and science-based investments, which could reshape the European VC landscape and influence future innovation trends.