
SmartFin
Description
SmartFin Capital is a Brussels-based private equity firm specializing in growth equity investments within the B2B technology sector. Established with a clear focus on scaling innovative European companies, SmartFin targets businesses that have demonstrated product-market fit and are poised for significant expansion. Their investment philosophy centers on providing not just capital, but also strategic guidance and operational expertise to accelerate portfolio companies' growth trajectories. The firm primarily seeks opportunities across Europe, with a particular emphasis on the Benelux, DACH, Nordics, and UK regions.
SmartFin's investment strategy is geared towards scale-up companies, typically those with proven products and initial traction. They are active investors, often taking significant minority or majority stakes, and are committed to partnering closely with management teams to unlock value. The firm looks for companies with strong management, disruptive technology, and substantial market potential. Their hands-on approach involves leveraging their extensive network and operational experience to support strategic planning, international expansion, and talent acquisition.
SmartFin manages substantial capital, with their current fund, SmartFin Capital II, targeting a size of €250 million. This significant fund size enables them to make meaningful investments that can truly fuel growth. Typically, SmartFin's first cheque sizes range from €10 million to €50 million per company. This translates to approximately $10.8 million to $54 million, based on recent exchange rates, positioning them as a key player in the European growth equity landscape for B2B tech.
Beyond financial backing, SmartFin emphasizes its role as a strategic partner. They aim to help portfolio companies navigate the complexities of rapid scaling, including market entry, M&A, and operational efficiencies. Their team comprises seasoned professionals with backgrounds in technology, finance, and entrepreneurship, offering a blend of perspectives crucial for high-growth ventures. SmartFin's commitment to long-term partnerships and value creation makes them a notable investor for B2B technology scale-ups in Europe seeking more than just capital.
Investor Profile
SmartFin has backed more than 42 startups, with 4 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 17 rounds, about 40% of its total and boasts 6 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series B, Series A, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Belgium, The Netherlands, United States.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Analytics, Information Technology.
- Led 3 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $10.8M – $54M.
Stage Focus
- Series B (29%)
- Series A (21%)
- Seed (19%)
- Series Unknown (12%)
- Series C (10%)
- Series D (2%)
- Secondary Market (2%)
- Private Equity (2%)
- Pre Seed (2%)
Country Focus
- Belgium (62%)
- The Netherlands (12%)
- United States (7%)
- United Kingdom (7%)
- Turkey (5%)
- Switzerland (2%)
- Finland (2%)
- Luxembourg (2%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Analytics
- Information Technology
- Saas
- Enterprise Software
- Big Data
- Fintech
- Data Visualization
- Open Source
- Financial Services
Frequently Asked Questions
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