
C4 Ventures
Description
C4 Ventures is a prominent European venture capital firm headquartered in Paris, France, established by Pascal Cagni, the former Vice President and General Manager of Apple EMEA. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, primarily targeting Seed to Series A rounds, with a strong focus on disruptive technologies and innovative business models. Leveraging its team's deep operational experience, particularly in scaling global technology companies, C4 Ventures aims to provide more than just capital, offering strategic guidance and access to a vast network.
The firm's investment thesis centers on several key sectors, including Smart Hardware, Digital Media, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity. They seek out startups with strong intellectual property, scalable solutions, and the potential for international expansion. C4 Ventures is known for its hands-on approach, working closely with founders to navigate challenges related to product development, market entry, and team building, often acting as a bridge between European innovation and global markets.
C4 Ventures has successfully raised multiple funds to support its investment strategy. Their first fund, C4 Ventures I, closed at €40 million, while their second fund, C4 Ventures II, reached €80 million in 2020, demonstrating significant growth in their capital base. Typically, C4 Ventures deploys first checks ranging from €500,000 to €5 million, translating approximately to $540,000 to $5.4 million USD, depending on the stage and specific needs of the startup. This flexible check size allows them to participate meaningfully in various early-stage rounds, from initial seed funding to more substantial Series A injections.
The firm's portfolio includes several notable companies that have achieved significant milestones, reflecting C4 Ventures' ability to identify and nurture promising ventures. Their commitment extends beyond initial funding, providing ongoing support to help portfolio companies achieve their next growth milestones and secure follow-on funding. This comprehensive support system, combined with their sector expertise and strategic network, positions C4 Ventures as a valuable partner for ambitious early-stage technology companies in Europe and beyond.
Investor Profile
C4 Ventures has backed more than 59 startups, with 4 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 10 rounds, about 17% of its total and boasts 12 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Seed, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in France, United States, United Kingdom.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, E-Commerce, Internet.
- Led 1 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $540K – $5.4M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (22%)
- Seed (22%)
- Series B (17%)
- Series C (17%)
- Series Unknown (12%)
- Series D (3%)
- Series E (3%)
- Post Ipo Equity (2%)
- Angel (2%)
Country Focus
- France (42%)
- United States (22%)
- United Kingdom (19%)
- The Netherlands (7%)
- Austria (3%)
- Israel (3%)
- Italy (2%)
- Germany (2%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- E-commerce
- Internet
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Hardware
- Consumer Electronics
- Fashion
- Semiconductor
- Machine Learning
- Manufacturing
Frequently Asked Questions
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