aws Grunderfonds
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This is Austria's government-backed startup fund - which means they're stable but also means they're not exactly swinging for the fences. Backed by Austria Wirtschaftsservice, 100% owned by the Republic of Austria, providing low-interest loans, guarantees, grants, and equity capital. They've got €140M to play with and position themselves as Austria's most active Seed-Series A investor. The team clearly knows what they're doing - Cesky has real exit experience, Dohrau has proper banking chops, and they're landing decent co-investors like Speedinvest. But here's the thing: this is a government fund with all the bureaucracy that implies. Portfolio has seen 9 exits including Zizoo, App Radar and Hitbox. They're conservative by nature but seem founder-friendly based on their public statements.
- —Best for: Austrian startups needing patient capital with government backing
- —Watch out for: Slower decision-making typical of government-linked funds
- —Known for: Strong co-investment network and solid sector expertise in enterprise tech
We invest together with experienced co-investors in promising Austrian start-ups, from the first growth phase (Seed) through subsequent financing rounds (Series A/B) to exit. The goal of the aws Gründungsfonds is to support its portfolio companies in their journey to the market and their sustainable growth, partnering with them closely and at eye level to assist in their success. Focus sectors include Enterprise SaaS, AI, Deep Tech, Green Tech, Digital Health, Fintech and opportunistically other sectors.
Austria's 140m venture capital fund investing in Austrian high-growth start-ups in their later seed and (pre-)series-A stages. Has made 31 investments in Seed stage with an average round size of $2.9M, 9 investments in Series A stage with an average round size of $4.19M and 3 investments in Series B stage. Diverse portfolio across Enterprise Applications, High Tech, Sustainability Tech, Vertical SaaS and Consumer, with 44 Tech companies, 36 Enterprise (B2B) companies, 29 Software companies and at least 18 SaaS-focused companies.
Managing Director since 2019, previously worked for many years at Investkredit Bank AG and Österreichische Volksbanken AG group as Head of Corporate Finance Department, responsible for fund and investment management. Vienna University of Economics and Business graduate with Finance MBA from University of British Columbia.
Managing Director since December 2023, with aws Gründerfonds since 2017, previously worked as Consultant in Deals Advisory at PwC Vienna. Called supporting young Austrian growth companies a personal passion.
Managing Director since January 2024, helped establish venture capital initiative at ERSTE Private Capital, served as Managing Director of biotech company EUCODIS Bioscience leading to successful sale, former Senior Investment Manager at ARAX Capital Partners overseeing deep tech investments. Played key role in preparing multiple exits through company sales and IPOs on European and American exchanges.
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