Wingman Ventures closes Europe’s largest first Fund investing at seed-stage

Wingman Ventures was established in 2019 by a team of experienced entrepreneurs that had the goal to support startup founder teams in building globally leading technology companies from Switzerland. Besides providing them with funds and expertise, the young swiss Fund provides its portfolio companies with exclusive and easier access to its international network of more than 200 leading venture capitalists opening founders to further opportunities in receiving top-notch follow-on financing.

Through Wingman Ventures Fund I, the firm had the goal to raise CHF 60 million that would flow into around 30 tech start-ups. In its first closing in 2019, it raised CHF 36 million and has since already invested in eight new Swiss early-stage companies including two undisclosed ones, as stated by Founding Partner Alex Stöckl.

Just last week, on 30th September 2020, the firm concluded the final closing of its Fund, oversubscribed, raising a total of CHF 76 million. Not only has the VC firm surpassed its goal, but it has also marked a new record for having raised the highest ever first Fund dedicated to seed-stage startups in Europe. The funds hail from around 100 investors, with the majority being entrepreneurs that have built some of the leading entrepreneurial success stories of the Swiss ecosystem. Over the next ten years, the Fund will continue to invest in tech start-ups as lead investor and will provide follow-on investment to its portfolio companies.

For Emily Kruse, CFO of Wingman Ventures, closing the Fund is a remarkable achievement. Despite the turbulence in the economy due to Covid19,  the Fund has not been affected. Instead, it is growing and gaining traction at an accelerated speed with more investors continuing to show their devotion and dedication and the number of start-ups seeking funds is growing by the day.

“We are thrilled and are very grateful for reaching this milestone, for which we have worked very hard on our mission to drive innovation in the Swiss start-up ecosystem. Having been entrepreneurs ourselves, we acknowledge the pressure and challenges that founders of startups face; that is why we feel proud to support them through their journey”, adds Pascal Mathis, Founding Partner of Wingman Ventures. 

Photo left to right: Gabriel Wildberger, Alex Stöckl, Emily Kruse, Lukas Weder, Pascal Mathis