Briefly Issue #3 of European F(o)unders' Highlights in Spring

Dear Readers,

Welcome back to "Briefly." your go-to newsletter spotlighting the trailblazers and trends in European venture capital.

The 3rd edition radiates with empowerment, and a strong sense of community, today reflecting the mission of the Evangelistas to celebrate and uplift women in tech. The past weeks have been an exciting time, with many significant achievements and initiatives underway. Let's dive into the latest contributions of the most diverse founders and investors, setting the stage for continued growth and success!

I'm Julia Dous, an advocate for diversifying investments and VC teams. Through angel investing and advising VC firms on talent strategy, I'm committed to fostering a more inclusive venture space. Leading a community of +350 investors, "the Evangelistas", I'm deeply embedded in the ecosystem we're exploring today.

This newsletter highlights:

• Recent achievements in the startup and venture capital space, including notable fundraising rounds, recognitions, and programs supporting diverse founders talent.
• Resources and perspectives on angel investing, to provide valuable avenues for more cap table diversity.

More signal, less noise: f(o)unders' highlights

Here's a recap of recent highlights by women shaping our tomorrow, including notable fundraising rounds, recognitions, and programs supporting diverse talent:

1. Daria Saharova and the World Fund Family????: Achieving the largest first-time fund in European climate VC history with €300m and showcasing a strong commitment to ESG principles.
2. Avion Gray and team Belong: Securing €3.4m in pre-seed funding marks a milestone for female founders in Europe, setting a new record. ???? ?? ????
3. Eléonore Crespo and team Pigment: Securing a $145M Series D funding for redefining business planning.
4. Helen Tacke and team Cozero: Raising €6.5m Series A to pioneer a new generation of Climate ERP solutions.
5. Mollie Claypool and team AUAR: Securing a ￡2.6m seed round to build sustainable and affordable homes using AI and robotics.
6. Ada Ventures : Founded by Francesca (Check) Warner and Matt Penneycard, closing a ￡63m second fund to back diverse founders reflects the growing support for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
7. Ascension 's Tech4Good Pre-seed Fund: Led by partner Emma Steele , reaching the first €19.8m close demonstrates the rising interest in investing in technology for social good.
8. Forbes 30 under 30 Europe: The recognition of women in the categories of "Technology" and "Finance" is significant for fostering diversity and inclusivity in the European tech ecosystem.
9. Station F Cohort: Exciting to see the introduction of 13 female entrepreneurs to follow in 2024!
10. Founderland's Compass Program: The 3rd cohort of early-stage women founders are investors ready.
11. Google for Startups EU Accelerator: Looking forward to seeing the progress of the 13 women-led startups in the accelerator program.

These accomplishments collectively contribute to the vibrancy and innovation within the European tech ecosystem.

Resources on angel investing: About cap table diversity

To inspire more diversity of thought in backing and building startups to solidify Europe’s contribution to the global tech landscape 30 of Europe's most active business angels and angel VCs gathered to share unique paths into investing, talk about the current state of the nation and discuss the future of venture capital.

Check out our latest three interviews:

About Cap Table Diversity w/ Rika Christanto

About Cap Table Diversity w/ Delphine Mousseau

About Cap Table Diversity w/ Vera Baker

?Additionally, recommended:

???Tune in on Spotify for Elsa Hermal at Super Angel

???Angel investing insights with Edwina Johnson

Thank you for joining in my exploration, especially highlighting women founders and angel investors. Your thoughts, feedback, and contributions make "Briefly." a collaborative and insightful journey. Here's to building a brighter future together!?????

Interested to learn more about the Evangelistas ? Join in?on our mission to accelerate the success of the most diverse founders and funders for a more prosperous, diverse, equitable, and inclusive future of European tech. Sign up for the latest insights featuring our amazing community: https://lnkd.in/eCHemcS3. For your daily doses of insights follow us on LinkedIn and Insta.

Now, off to creating more magic!

Julia Dous