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Aescap Venture

Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam

Description

Aescap Venture is a prominent European venture capital firm headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with a dedicated focus on the life sciences sector, specifically innovative biotech companies. Established in 2005, the firm primarily targets drug development enterprises across Europe and the United States, aiming to support the translation of groundbreaking scientific discoveries into clinical realities. Their investment philosophy is rooted in a deep understanding of the scientific and medical landscape, leveraging the extensive expertise of their team to identify and nurture promising therapeutic ventures.

The firm's investment strategy typically spans from early-stage to Series B rounds, with a strong emphasis on companies developing novel drug candidates. Aescap Venture often takes a lead or co-lead position in funding rounds, providing substantial capital to accelerate drug discovery and clinical development. Their initial investment cheques typically range from €3 million to €10 million (approximately $3.24 million to $10.8 million), demonstrating their commitment to providing meaningful early-stage capital. Over the lifecycle of a portfolio company, Aescap Venture has the capacity to invest up to €20 million to €30 million, supporting companies through multiple financing rounds as they progress towards key milestones.

Aescap Venture manages significant capital, with their Aescap Venture IV fund successfully closing at €120 million (approximately $130 million) in 2021. This substantial fund size underscores their capacity to support ambitious biotech projects. The firm's team comprises seasoned professionals with strong scientific, medical, and entrepreneurial backgrounds, enabling them to provide not only capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to their portfolio companies. Their commitment to advancing healthcare through innovative biotech solutions positions them as a key player in the European life sciences investment landscape.

Investor Profile

Aescap Venture has backed more than 28 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 9 rounds, about 32% of its total and boasts 6 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series A, Series Unknown, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Denmark.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Biopharma.
  • Typical check size: $3.2M – $10.8M.

Stage Focus

  • Series A (32%)
  • Series Unknown (25%)
  • Series B (18%)
  • Series C (11%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (4%)
  • Series D (4%)
  • Series G (4%)
  • Private Equity (4%)

Country Focus

  • United Kingdom (25%)
  • The Netherlands (25%)
  • Denmark (14%)
  • Switzerland (11%)
  • Germany (7%)
  • Austria (7%)
  • Belgium (7%)
  • Italy (4%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Biopharma
  • Health Diagnostics
  • Health Care
  • Oncology
  • Chemical
  • Therapeutics
  • Genetics
  • Renewable Energy
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Aescap Venture frequently co-invest with?

De Hoge Dennen Capital
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Laren
Co-Investments: 4
TVM Capital
Europe, Bayern, Germany, Munich
Co-Investments: 4
Atlas Venture
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 5
SR One
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 3
Kurma Partners
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 3
MP Healthcare Venture Management
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 3
EQT Life Sciences
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Co-Investments: 3
Idinvest Partners
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 3
M Ventures
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Co-Investments: 4
Sunstone Life Science Ventures
Europe, Hovedstaden, Denmark, Copenhagen
Co-Investments: 4

Which angels does Aescap Venture often collaborate with?

JC
Europe, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands, The Hague
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Aescap Venture?

F-Star Therapeutics

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

F-Star Therapeutics is developing a pipeline of novel bispecific antibodies with a therapeutic focus in immuno-oncology and oncology.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyOncologyPharmaceutical
Post Ipo EquityNov 20, 2020
Amount Raised: $15,000,000
Orphazyme

Copenhagen, Hovedstaden, Denmark

Orphazyme develops innovative new therapies for the treatment of a family of serious genetic disorders called lysosomal storage diseases.

BiotechnologyGeneticsHealth CareHealth DiagnosticsTherapeutics
Series UnknownNov 16, 2017
Amount Raised: $94,225,840
Orphazyme

Copenhagen, Hovedstaden, Denmark

Orphazyme develops innovative new therapies for the treatment of a family of serious genetic disorders called lysosomal storage diseases.

BiotechnologyGeneticsHealth CareHealth DiagnosticsTherapeutics
Series UnknownMar 8, 2017
Amount Raised: $14,762,934
i-Optics

The Hague, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands

i-Optics offers eye diagnosis solutions and products for age related eye diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth DiagnosticsProduct Design
Series UnknownMay 22, 2015
Amount Raised: $15,086,826
Orphazyme

Copenhagen, Hovedstaden, Denmark

Orphazyme develops innovative new therapies for the treatment of a family of serious genetic disorders called lysosomal storage diseases.

BiotechnologyGeneticsHealth CareHealth DiagnosticsTherapeutics
Series BJan 9, 2015
Amount Raised: $24,000,000
Avantium

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

Avantium Technologies provides high-throughput R&D technologies for applications in the energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical industries.

BiotechnologyChemicalPharmaceuticalRenewable Energy
Series GMay 22, 2014
Amount Raised: $52,490,994
F-Star Therapeutics

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

F-Star Therapeutics is developing a pipeline of novel bispecific antibodies with a therapeutic focus in immuno-oncology and oncology.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyOncologyPharmaceutical
Series AOct 23, 2013
Amount Raised: $9,400,000
Orphazyme

Copenhagen, Hovedstaden, Denmark

Orphazyme develops innovative new therapies for the treatment of a family of serious genetic disorders called lysosomal storage diseases.

BiotechnologyGeneticsHealth CareHealth DiagnosticsTherapeutics
Series ASep 7, 2011
Amount Raised: $20,000,000
Avantium

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

Avantium Technologies provides high-throughput R&D technologies for applications in the energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical industries.

BiotechnologyChemicalPharmaceuticalRenewable Energy
Series UnknownJun 9, 2011
Amount Raised: $63,821,776
F-Star Therapeutics

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

F-Star Therapeutics is developing a pipeline of novel bispecific antibodies with a therapeutic focus in immuno-oncology and oncology.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyOncologyPharmaceutical
Series UnknownApr 13, 2011
Amount Raised: $21,694,735