
BlackFin Capital Partners
Description
BlackFin Capital Partners is a prominent European investment firm based in Paris, France, specializing exclusively in the financial services sector. Established in 2009, the firm operates with a dual strategy, encompassing both private equity and venture capital investments. This unique approach allows BlackFin to support companies across various stages of development, from early-stage FinTech startups to mature financial institutions seeking growth capital or strategic transformation. Their deep industry expertise and operational support are key value propositions for their portfolio companies.
The firm's venture capital arm is particularly active in the burgeoning FinTech landscape. BlackFin launched its first dedicated FinTech fund, FinTech Fund I, which successfully closed at €180 million in 2020. Building on this success, they launched FinTech Fund II in 2023, which achieved a first closing of €200 million, demonstrating strong investor confidence in their FinTech investment thesis. Through these venture funds, BlackFin typically provides equity tickets ranging from €1 million to €20 million, focusing on minority stakes in innovative companies poised to disrupt or enhance financial services.
Complementing its venture activities, BlackFin's private equity division targets more mature businesses within financial services, including asset management, insurance, banking, and payments. Their latest private equity vehicle, Private Equity Fund IV, closed at a substantial €1 billion in 2022, underscoring their capacity for significant growth equity investments. For these private equity deals, BlackFin typically seeks majority stakes, with equity tickets ranging from €20 million to €100 million.
BlackFin Capital Partners distinguishes itself through its specialized focus, offering not just capital but also extensive industry knowledge and a robust network. They are committed to fostering innovation and growth across the European financial services ecosystem, leveraging their expertise to identify and scale promising ventures and established players alike.
Investor Profile
BlackFin Capital Partners has backed more than 58 startups, with 8 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 29 rounds, about 50% of its total and boasts 7 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Private Equity, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in France, Germany, United Kingdom.
- Strong thematic focus on Financial Services, FinTech, SaaS.
- Led 4 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $1.1M – $108M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (31%)
- Private Equity (24%)
- Series B (22%)
- Series C (9%)
- Seed (9%)
- Series Unknown (5%)
Country Focus
- France (57%)
- Germany (16%)
- United Kingdom (5%)
- Denmark (5%)
- The Netherlands (3%)
- Spain (3%)
- Estonia (3%)
- United States (3%)
- Finland (2%)
- Switzerland (2%)
Industry Focus
- Financial Services
- Fintech
- Saas
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Payments
- Insurance
- Banking
- Software
- Insurtech
- Finance
Frequently Asked Questions
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