AVP Newsletter - July Issue
Dear AVP Family,
As many of us prepare to take a well-deserved break, we hope this newsletter finds you well. There has been significant advancements in AVP since our last newsletter! Here is the latest progress to updated you on.?
Let's kick off this edition by sharing our latest breakthrough at AVP:?the?launch of our new strategy to invest in late-stage companies.?With a targeted €1.5bn fund, of which €750m will be invested by AXA as the anchor investor, we are taking a significant step in supporting entrepreneurs throughout their journey, from the beginning to their IPO. This late-stage growth strategy will be the natural continuation of our investment in venture and growth companies, and will be grounded in our dedication to supporting and collaborating with entrepreneurs. This is part of AVP's DNA. We remain committed to fostering long-term partnerships and supporting their aspirations, from early stages to IPO and beyond.
In this context, we are happy to introduce?Elizabeth de Saint-Aignan as our newest General Partner,?who?will lead the Late Growth strategy in North America, and will be based in New York. Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team with over 20 years in the Growth (TA Associates) and Private Equity (Sun Capital) industry. Meet her later in this newsletter.
On the investment front, despite the recent market slowdown, we want to emphasize that we are still actively seeking opportunities. Our view as a long-term investor is to maintain a strategic perspective, not being influenced by short-term hypes or downturns. While others may have withdrawn from the market during the exuberant period of 2021-2022, we remained on the sidelines. However, we are equally happy to continue investing when others have seemingly disappeared. One recent example is our leadership in the?series A funding round for Zinc, a company revolutionizing background checks. Their innovative approach promises to transform the industry, and we are excited to be part of their journey. See later in this newsletter, including our investment thesis.
As far as AVP is concerned, recently, our global team had the opportunity to?gather for our yearly offsite at La Borde en Sologne, located in the heart of France, some will refer to it as being "in the middle of nowhere".?This gathering was filled with enriching workshops, a comprehensive state-of-the-union addressed by our Managing Partner Fran?ois Robinet, and even a hot air balloon ride. It was a truly memorable experience that strengthened our bonds as a team.
Finally, an important announcement regarding our upcoming?AVP Day. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we'd like to inform you that the event day has been changed. Please?update your calendars with our new date: November 9th.?The program and venues remain the same, The Sainte-Chapelle and La Conciergerie. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding. We look forward to seeing you all in Paris.
Stay tuned as we share more thrilling news about the AVP team, our portfolio companies and their visionary founders in the coming sections of this newsletter.?
Best regards,
AVP team
A new chapter for AVP
Exciting news at AVP, as we recently announced the launch of our latest fund! A new €1.5bn fund to invest in late-stage tech companies, focusing on outstanding tech leaders in Europe and North America.
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In this context, and in line with strengthening our leadership team, we welcome Elizabeth de Saint-Aignan as General Partner at AVP, based in New York, Elizabeth will be responsible for overseeing the Late Growth Fund for North America.
About Elizabeth :
AVP latest investments
￡5 million series A / Lead Partner: Fran?ois Robinet / UK?
Zinc Work, a leading provider of comprehensive background check solutions, is transforming the way companies verify the credentials of their employees. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and advanced data analytics, Zinc Work offers a streamlined and efficient process for conducting thorough background checks.
Investment thesis for Zinc
Find out what got us excited about Zinc. We are proud to have invested in Zinc due to their strong market potential and innovative approach. We strongly believe their experienced team is well-positioned to lead the market and revolutionize the automated background checking industry.?
News from AVP portfolio companies
Hackajob raised $25M Series B in funding to support their behavioral science engine and promote overall growth.
The investment round was led by Boston-based growth equity firm, Volition Capital, with participation from existing investors – AXA Venture Partners and Foresight.
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领英推荐
Wellth, just raised $20M Series B for continued growth of their behavioral science-based platform.
This capital will allow Wellth to continue their rapid membership growth and further invest in the behavioral science engine and team behind their platform.
Incepto was selected as one of the 21 startups to join La French Tech
This program supports high-potential start-ups that meet a common objective of accelerating innovation at the service of the technological, industrial and health sovereignty, in order to help them develop.
Simundia Makes it to the Europe EdTech 200 List!
Our portfolio company, Simundia, has been recognized as one of the top 200 EdTech companies in Europe for 2022! This recognition acknowledges Simundia's innovative solutions and dedication to transforming education through technology.??
Florence was named one of The Times 100 fastest-growing companies in the UK
We're very happy to see Florence's exceptional growth and success recognized on this prestigious list. This achievement highlights their dedication, innovation, and impact in revolutionizing the healthcare staffing industry.
Policygenius, just got acquired by Zinnia. The combined company will create the first and only end-to-end insurance platform.
Together, Zinnia and Policygenius will offer products and services spanning life and annuities, disability, and property and casualty insurance.
Arch Insurance acquires Thimble
Big kudos to Thimble as they embark on a new chapter in their journey. Arch Insurance's acquisition of Thimble marks a significant milestone for both companies. We congratulate Thimble on their success and wish them continued growth and prosperity in their future endeavors.
AVP insights
In this section, we aim to bring you insightful content directly from our team at AVP. Explore white papers, research articles, and engaging stories that walk us through the latest trends, strategies, and success stories in the tech industry.?
Take 5: Five Questions on AI and Why We’re Excited About the Future of Artificial Intelligence by Jessica Hayes and Ethan Volk?
This paper takes us to the forefront of AI trends and the increasing investment in this sector. Discover the team's insightful research divided into two parts: Part I reflects on the AI inflection point, while Part II decodes the AI investment landscape with AVP's valuable insights. Don't miss this must-read for anyone interested in the exciting world of AI.
The class of 2020-2021 tech IPOs and SPACs by Iyan Unsworth
The article highlights the remarkable performance and growth of several tech companies that went public during this period, illustrating the resilience and potential of the tech industry. Iyan Unsworth, Vice President Fund of Funds, provides insights into key trends and notable IPOs, shedding light on the evolving investment opportunities in this dynamic sector. As the tech IPO market continues to thrive, AVP's analysis serves as a valuable resource for investors seeking to navigate and capitalize on the ever-changing tech IPO and SPAC landscape.
Meet the founder with Allard Bujize from Axon IQ
Discover Buijze's entrepreneurial journey and his groundbreaking work in event-driven architecture and domain-driven design. Learn?how AxonIQ's innovative platform is revolutionizing application development.?AVP showcases their commitment to supporting visionary founders like Buijze in their quest for success.
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