Wind, an emerging European VC built and backed by successful entrepreneurs, announced the launch of a new Article 9 fund. The €130 million fund has exceeded expectations, reaching €90 million at its first closing. The fund will finance pioneering sustainable Deeptech startups at the Seed/Series A stage. The fund plans to invest in 30 startups, with ticket sizes varying from €500 to €5 million
Wind’s new fund will be used to fuel the development of highly innovative solutions across Europe’s vital services and infrastructure industries. The investment focus includes advancing key areas essential to human well-being and environmental health, such as food and air quality, mobility and energy, construction, and security.
“We are at the start of a new innovation cycle driven by decarbonation, AI, and robotics,” said Thierry Vandewalle, Co-Founding Partner of Wind. “Our mission is to support startups using these technologies to create practical solutions for our essential service industries, ensuring they thrive in a climate-challenged world. It’s all about finding alternative ways to meet humanity’s needs without compromising the planet.”
Wind, recently rebranded from Wind Capital, was founded by repeat entrepreneurs and engineers Thierry Vandewalle and Xavier Gury in 2015. The duo had previously launched and exited multiple companies, including WCube, a data agency sold to Publicis in 2007. Leveraging their earnings, they founded Wind Capital I, a €23 million evergreen fund, a fund characterised by the active support and engagement provided to its portfolio founders.
After investing personally in over 80 startups across various sectors like fintech, SaaS, mobility and lifestyle, and completing 29 successful exits, Wind’s Founding Partners are now focusing on climate resilience, opening the new article 9 fund to other successful entrepreneurs interested in investing their earnings and mentoring startups.
“Innovation and technology are in our DNA. Over the years, we have strengthened our impact investment thesis with transformative startups like Getaround (car sharing) Yuka (consumer guidance), Spark (decarbonised hydrogen) and Néolithe (waste transformation). This new climate resilience fund continues our commitment to fostering positive change,” commented Xavier Gury, Co-Founding Partner of Wind. “The very enthusiastic response from our network of entrepreneur LPs confirms the business sense of the approach.”
Wind’s LPs form part of a vibrant network of entrepreneurs and scientific experts capable of providing technical opinions, business advice, and valuable connections to portfolio founders. “Having founded several companies, we recognise the importance of being surrounded by experienced founders who understand the challenges of building a successful business. Our community-based model aims to provide the technical and business expertise necessary for ensuring their growth,” explained Xavier Gury.
Three cutting edge startups have already been backed with the new fund; Eclipse (energy storage solutions), Sopht (green IT) and Entroview (battery diagnostics for gigafactories). Wind’s investors include institutional players such as Bpifrance, BNP Paribas, Sopra Steria, and over 120 successful entrepreneurs to date.
“The final closing is expected to take place in 2025, so there is still room for new strategic investors who wish to bring their value-add to what promises to be an exceptional journey,” added Thierry Wandevalle.
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- Source: https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/06/paris-based-vc-wind-closes-first-e90-million-to-ensure-startups-can-thrive-in-a-climate-challenged-world/
