Lakestar

Lakestar is a prominent European venture capital firm headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, with additional offices in London and Berlin. Founded by Klaus Hommels, the firm has established itself as a significant player in the technology investment landscape, focusing on disruptive companies led by exceptional entrepreneurs across Europe and the United States. Lakestar's investment strategy spans various stages, from early-stage (Seed, Series A, Series B) to growth rounds, demonstrating a commitment to supporting companies throughout their lifecycle. The firm is known for its deep sector expertise and a hands-on approach, leveraging its extensive network to help portfolio companies scale globally.

The firm's investment thesis centers on identifying and backing companies that are poised to become market leaders in their respective fields. Lakestar has a strong track record of investing in high-growth sectors, including fintech, SaaS, healthtech, deeptech, artificial intelligence, and climate tech. Their portfolio includes notable companies such as Revolut, Klarna, Cazoo, and sennder, showcasing their ability to identify and nurture future industry giants. Lakestar aims to provide more than just capital, offering strategic guidance, operational support, and access to a global network of talent and partners.

Lakestar has successfully raised multiple funds, accumulating substantial capital under management. Their fund series includes Lakestar I, II, III, IV, and V, alongside dedicated growth funds. For instance, Lakestar V and Lakestar Growth II, both closed in 2022, collectively raised €850 million, underscoring strong investor confidence in their strategy. Typical initial cheque sizes for early-stage investments range from approximately $540,000 to $21.6 million. For growth-stage companies, the firm is capable of deploying significantly larger amounts, often up to €100 million, reflecting its capacity to support companies through later funding rounds. This flexible investment approach allows Lakestar to engage with a broad spectrum of innovative technology businesses, from nascent startups to established scale-ups.