IEG Digital Blog

Iris Capital and Capnamic Ventures have entered a new partnership for early-stage investments in the German digital economy

Paris, Cologne, Berlin, March¹⁴ 2013 – Iris Capital, a leading pan-European VC focusing on digital economy, backed by its main corporate investors Orange and Publicis and Capnamic Ventures, a rapidly rising player on the German VC scene, which recently spun off from the M. DuMont Schauberg media group, has entered into a partnership agreement for early-stage investments in Germany.

The Iris Capital early-stage vehicle (‘OP Ventures Early Stage’) is dedicated to European investments. It will co-invest alongside the newly launched multi-corporate Capnamic Ventures Fund in fast growing start-ups of the German digital economy.The cooperation may also extend to later stage investments in Germany.

The two teams will closely cooperate in order to benefit most from their combined technical and business knowledge for investment decisions and portfolio management. In combining their efforts, they will also offer a broader international development perspective to their respective portfolio companies, benefiting in particular from Iris Capital’s presence in North America, Asia and the Middle East.

“Iris Capital has been investing in Germany for a long time. Considering that the German VC environment is particularly dynamic in Europe today, it is increasingly important to reinforce our presence on the early stage segment. Beyond our passion for VC, we share our strong focus on digital economy, spin-off history, innovative and unique multi-corporate approach with Capnamic. By joining forces, Iris and Capnamic will definitely represent a major European early-stage VC player”, declared Antoine Garrigues, Managing Partner at Iris Capital.

Sophie Dingreville, Partner at Iris Capital, has joined the investment committee of the Capnamic Ventures fund. “Our respective early-stage vehicles, both operational and already investing, were launched simultaneously. This is rather unique in fund cycles and builds the perfect ground for a successful collaboration”, she said.

Christian Siegele, Managing Partner at Capnamic Ventures, explained: “We associate well-known corporate investors and successful family offices. The partnership with Iris Capital creates a new level of added value: Iris LP’s Orange and Publicis are leader in the European telecommunication and advertisement market.  In cooperation with our investors from the entertainment and publishing sector, we will create a complementary partnership.”  

“With Iris Capital as our partner for early-stage investments, we will reach an unparalleled set-up in continental Europe” said Jörg Binnenbrücker, Managing Partner at Capnamic Ventures. “Both teams combine their excellent market knowledge and will thereby enlarge as well as enrich the opportunities for fast-growing startups in Europe.”

About Iris Capital

Iris Capital is a pan-European venture capital fund manager specializing in digital economy. Since its inception in 1986, the Iris Capital team has invested more than €900 million in more than 210 companies.

Iris Capital targets opportunities in service or technology companies, seeking growth capital in order to realize their strategy. It provides active support to its portfolio companies on the basis of its strong sector specialization and experience, and has offices in Paris, Düsseldorf, San Francisco, Montreal, Riyadh, Dubai, Beijing and Tokyo.

In 2012, Iris Capital has entered into a strategic partnership with Orange and Publicis to manage their joint venture capital initiative.

Press contact:  nolwenn.salaun@kable-cf.com | + 33 1 44 50 54 74

About Capnamic Ventures

Capnamic Ventures is a multi-corporate fund with offices in Cologne and Berlin, Germany. Founded in January 2013 the investment focus lies on fast growing business models along the digital value chain and scalable areas such as mobile, e-Commerce, gaming, payment, advertising and software as a service.  

Capnamic is backed by well-known corporate investors and family offices. Along with its new fund Capnamic Ventures will take over management of the entire portfolio of DuMont Venture. The investment vehicle of M. DuMont Schauberg currently holding over 20 portfolio companies.

Press contact: presse@capnamic.de | +49 221 67781935

About IEG – Investment Banking Group

Founded in 1999, IEG Investment Banking Group is a leading, independent investment banking house with a focus on small and medium sized transactions. With its local presence in 12 countries around the globe and proven expertise in cross border transactions, especially in growth markets, IEG is a strong international partner in the areas of Mergers & Acquisitions, Financing and Financial Strategy. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, IEG is solely owned by its employees.

Press contact: marketing@ieg-banking.com | +49 30 303016 30