Central and Eastern Europe’s tech landscape is poised for a dynamic shift as Warsaw-based Movens Capital unveils its second fund, securing €40M out of a €60M commitment. This venture capital firm targets early and growth-stage tech startups, aiming to bolster innovation within a region ripe with potential yet often lacking sufficient financial backing. By channeling resources into underfunded areas, the fund seeks to catalyze global growth for regional entrepreneurs. Notably, Movens is leveraging expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning, drawing on the region’s deep pool of talent. The firm’s strategic vision focuses on nurturing tech ecosystems, ensuring that promising startups have the tools and capital to scale globally.
Previously, Movens has demonstrated its capacity to drive growth, with its first fund achieving substantial success. Portfolio companies have garnered over €110M in follow-on funding, outpacing initial investments. A robust track record has seen companies like Alokai (formerly Vue Storefront) and Doctor.one thrive under Movens’ guidance. The firm’s strategic focus and existing connections within the tech industry have been instrumental in orchestrating significant exits and funding opportunities. This established credibility fortifies Movens’ position as a pivotal player in addressing the financial shortfalls endemic to the CEE tech startup landscape.
Who Is Supporting Movens Capital’s Second Fund?
Key backers such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and PFR Ventures have endorsed Movens Capital’s second fund. They are joined by over 80 individual investors with deep roots in the tech sector, enhancing the fund’s capacity to provide more than just financial support. Institutional and private backers share a commitment to bridging funding gaps, providing crucial operational expertise and strategic guidance to aid startups in their global endeavors.
What Are The Investment Strategies and Key Focus Areas?
Movens Capital’s second fund will make approximately 30 investments across Central and Eastern Europe, concentrating on markets like Poland and the Balkans. Investment sizes range from €250,000 to €3M, focusing primarily on Series A and growth-stage financing. Sectors such as enterprise software, fintech, and climate technology are prioritized, with AI-driven solutions receiving special attention.
Key figures at Movens stress the importance of operational support alongside financial investment.
“As former tech entrepreneurs, we actively support portfolio companies with meaningful operational expertise and strategic guidance,”
notes Artur Banach, Managing Partner at Movens Capital. This approach underscores the fund’s holistic strategy to nurture startups beyond basic financial input, leveraging a network of successful tech executives to accelerate growth.
Movens’ collaboration with established institutions like EBRD reflects the broader effort to strengthen venture capital frameworks in emerging markets. Anne Fossemalle, Director of Equity Funds at the EBRD, confirmed,
“We are delighted to back Movens’ new fund and help empower the next generation of tech founders in Central and Eastern Europe.”
Similarly, Bartłomiej Samsonowicz from PFR Ventures voices continued support,
“Movens’ team has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism… We are confident they will play an important role in addressing the financing gap for innovative startups.”
Movens Capital uses its seasoned track record and strategic foresight to empower startups in the CEE region, aiming to unlock technological potential. By focusing on sectors with regional strength, the fund anticipates enabling startups to achieve global scale. The combined efforts of institutional backers and industry veterans enhance Movens’ potential to significantly impact the region’s startup ecosystem.
The targeted influx of capital and mentoring seeks to mitigate the venture capital shortfall affecting approximately 26,000 startups annually in the region. Movens Capital emphasizes bringing CEE talent to the fore, driving innovative solutions and expanding technological horizons across multiple sectors.
