In Europe, the venture capital landscape is undergoing a fascinating transformation. For years, the industry has been defined by traditional VC firms comprising multiple partners and extensive teams. But now, a new trend is shaking up the rules: the rise of solo GPs (general partners). With over 40 solo GPs operating in Europe today, this lean and agile investment model is changing the game for startups and founders like me, Violetta Bonenkamp, who value speed, personalized relationships, and strategic vision.
What Are Solo GPs, and Why Do They Matter?
Solo GPs are individual venture capitalists who raise and manage funds independently. Unlike traditional VC firms, which usually include several partners and investment committees, solo GPs operate lean, make swift decisions, and often focus on niche markets or ultra-early-stage startups. This setup allows them to rely heavily on their expertise, networks, and instincts, providing a personal touch that appeals to entrepreneurs.
For founders, having a solo GP on your cap table can feel like adding a partner, advisor, and investor rolled into one. But why is this booming trend so significant in Europe? The answer lies in the need for quick, founder-friendly capital. As an entrepreneur, I understand how crucial it is for startups to find investors who support their vision and move fast without the corporate bureaucracy that often slows larger firms.
A Look at Europe’s Notable Solo GPs
Here’s a snapshot of some standout solo GPs in Europe who are making waves and reshaping the venture capital landscape:
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Francesco Perticarari: Founder of Silicon Roundabout Ventures, Perticarari focuses on pre-seed investments and cutting-edge deeptech startups. His hands-on approach makes him a go-to investor for early-stage companies.
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Ian Sosso: Managing Monte Carlo Capital, Sosso operates a hybrid model focusing on high-impact startups. His fund simply demonstrates how solo GPs can blend traditional finance with entrepreneurial daring.
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Annelie Ajami: Leading London-based Anamcara, Ajami specializes in bridging the gap between angel investments and traditional funds. Her emphasis on pre-seed funding exemplifies the transformative power of solo GPs in Europe.
These are just a few examples of a growing crowd. Some solo GPs come from highly technical backgrounds, while others are entrepreneurial veterans who have built and exited their own companies. What unites them is their ability to spot great founders and act decisively.
The Rising Importance of Solo GPs
As a founder myself, I’ve often noticed gaps in the European venture capital scene, a lack of early-stage funding being one of the most glaring issues. Filling this gap is where solo GPs truly shine. By creating small, highly specialized funds, these individuals ensure that founders have access to the initial capital they need to turn ambitious ideas into scalable businesses.
Key Data Supporting This Trend
- Over 40 solo GPs now operate across Europe.
- The typical fund size ranges from €10 million to €50 million, ideal for pre-seed and seed-stage investments.
- According to industry reports, solo GPs in Europe have accelerated funding timelines by up to 40% compared to traditional VC firms.
Startups backed by solo GPs also gain a partner who is deeply invested in their success. Unlike larger firms, where you might only have intermittent contact with your assigned partner, solo GPs work closely with founders, leveraging their operational expertise and networks.
How to Secure Funding from a Solo GP
Based on years of experience pitching to investors, here’s my guide to catching a solo GP’s interest:
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Know Their Sweet Spot: Research the specific industries and stages the solo GP prefers. Many solo GPs focus on niche areas such as deeptech, fintech, or SaaS.
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Build a Personal Connection: Unlike institutional VCs, solo GPs often value relational dynamics over traditional pitch decks. Figure out how to tell your story authentically.
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Showcase Your Speed and Execution: Solo GPs appreciate founders who are quick on their feet. Lead with data, traction, and proof of execution.
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Seek Out Platforms and Networks: Use tools like AngelList, Vauban, and Odin to connect with solo GPs or join incubators that help founders network within this community.
Common Pitfalls Entrepreneurs Should Avoid
While solo GPs offer numerous advantages, there are also risks when pursuing their funding.
- Over-reliance: Trust and personal engagement are crucial with solo GPs, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. A single decision-maker fund can be high-risk.
- Misaligned Interests: Some solo GPs might have very specific demands regarding equity or control. Be strategic with how much influence you grant.
- Underestimating the Fund Size: Solo GP funds, while accessible, might not be large enough to support follow-on funding. This requires clear upfront conversations about your future capital needs.
Why Europe’s Startup Ecosystem Needs Solo GPs
It’s undeniable that solo GPs are fuelling the ecosystem’s momentum, especially for founders like me who operate at the cutting edge of industries like deeptech or education. In Europe, where VC funding has historically leaned conservative, solo GPs bring boldness and agility to the table.
Their approach is also reshaping the broader dynamics for Limited Partners (LPs), encouraging smaller checks to go further, leading to more entrepreneurs receiving critical pre-seed capital.
And as solo GPs grow in prominence, they also inadvertently push traditional venture capital firms to adapt, streamline, and rethink their models, benefiting startups in the long run.
Final Thoughts: Lean, Fast, and Founder-Friendly
For European founders navigating the challenges of building a startup, solo GPs are a game-changer. They embody qualities that resonate with today’s entrepreneurial mindset: agility, collaboration, and an ability to take risks on big ideas. As someone who’s had to navigate both traditional VCs and niche investors, I believe this trend signals a brighter, more dynamic future for founders in Europe.
If you’re gearing up for fundraising, consider targeting solo GPs who align with your mission. Whether it’s an industry-specific focus, an energetic approach, or access to critical expertise, these individuals offer much more than just money, they can become instrumental partners on your journey.
For a detailed list of 40+ active solo GPs making an impact in Europe, read about Europe’s solo GPs and their evolving role. Don’t wait to connect, because as these solo GPs continue redefining the rules, the competition to impress them is heating up.
FAQ
1. What are solo GPs in venture capital?
Solo GPs are individual venture capitalists who raise and manage funds independently, bypassing the traditional multi-partner VC firm model. They focus on speed, personalized decision-making, and niche markets or ultra-early-stage startups. Learn more about solo GPs from Sifted
2. Why are solo GPs becoming prominent in Europe?
Solo GPs are rising in Europe due to their ability to provide quick, founder-friendly capital and support personalized relationships in industries like deeptech, fintech, and SaaS. Discover the rise of solo GPs in Europe
3. Who are some notable solo GPs in Europe?
Prominent solo GPs include Francesco Perticarari at Silicon Roundabout Ventures, Ian Sosso of Monte Carlo Capital, and Annelie Ajami at Anamcara, each concentrating on pre-seed investments. Meet notable solo GPs
4. How do solo GPs differ from traditional VC firms?
Solo GPs operate independently, make fast decisions, and focus on ultra-early stages, unlike traditional firms with larger teams and slower investment processes. Explore the difference between solo GPs and traditional VC firms
5. What kind of startups do solo GPs prefer?
Solo GPs often target niche areas like deeptech, fintech, or climate tech at ultra-early pre-seed or seed stages, focusing on transformative and scalable ideas. Learn about solo GP preferences
6. What are the typical fund sizes for solo GPs?
Solo GP funds in Europe usually range from €10 million to €50 million, catering to pre-seed and seed-stage investments. Check out insights on fund sizes for solo GPs
7. How can founders connect with solo GPs?
Founders can use platforms like AngelList, Vauban, and Odin to network with solo GPs or join incubators that facilitate introductions. Learn how to reach solo GPs
8. What are the risks associated with solo GPs?
Risks include over-reliance on a single decision-maker, potential misaligned interests, and smaller fund sizes that may not support follow-on funding. Explore the challenges of solo GP funding
9. How are solo GPs impacting the European startup ecosystem?
Solo GPs are democratizing early-stage funding and applying pressure on traditional VC firms to adapt to a more agile and founder-friendly model. Discover the impact of solo GPs
10. What tools are enabling the solo GP model?
Platforms such as AngelList, Vauban, and Odin simplify fund setup, administration, and deal sourcing, making it easier for solo GPs to establish and operate funds. Learn about the tools empowering solo GPs
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.