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Startup Wise Guys

Europe, Harjumaa, Estonia, Tallinn

Description

Startup Wise Guys is a leading European accelerator and early-stage venture capital firm, headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, with a significant presence across the continent and beyond. Renowned for its intensive accelerator programs, the firm primarily targets pre-seed and seed-stage startups, offering a blend of capital, mentorship, and a robust network. Its investment thesis is broad yet focused, spanning high-growth sectors such as B2B SaaS, FinTech, CyberTech, PropTech, XR, and Sustainability, always seeking scalable business models with global potential.

Through their structured accelerator programs, Startup Wise Guys typically provides an initial investment designed to kickstart early-stage ventures. This first cheque generally ranges from approximately €65,000, equivalent to about $70,200, up to €100,000, or around $108,000. This initial capital is complemented by a comprehensive 5-month program that includes hands-on training, strategic guidance, and direct access to a wide array of industry experts and potential follow-on investors. The firm's commitment extends beyond the initial investment, as they actively support their portfolio companies in securing subsequent funding rounds.

With an impressive track record, Startup Wise Guys has emerged as one of Europe's most prolific early-stage investors, having invested in over 350 companies from more than 60 nationalities. This extensive portfolio underscores their dedication to fostering a diverse and innovative startup ecosystem. In a significant move to further expand their impact, the firm announced a new €25 million fund in 2022, earmarked to support over 200 additional startups. This strategic capital injection reinforces their mission to identify and nurture promising ventures, preparing them for sustainable growth and market leadership.

Investor Profile

Startup Wise Guys has backed more than 616 startups, with 35 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 133 rounds, about 22% of its total and boasts 8 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Pre Seed, Seed, Convertible Note rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in Estonia, Lithuania, United Kingdom.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Information Technology, SaaS.
  • Led 6 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $70.2K – $108K.

Stage Focus

  • Pre Seed (68%)
  • Seed (25%)
  • Convertible Note (3%)
  • Series Unknown (1%)
  • Angel (1%)
  • Series A (1%)

Country Focus

  • Estonia (28%)
  • Lithuania (12%)
  • United Kingdom (9%)
  • United States (8%)
  • Italy (7%)
  • Latvia (6%)
  • Turkey (3%)
  • Austria (2%)
  • Ukraine (2%)
  • Poland (2%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Information Technology
  • Saas
  • Fintech
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Financial Services
  • Analytics
  • E-commerce
  • Cyber Security
  • Machine Learning
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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 Startup Wise Guys frequently co-invest with?

SW
Europe, Lombardia, Italy, Milan
Co-Investments: 26
Lithuanian Business Angel Network
Europe, Vilniaus Apskritis, Lithuania, Vilnius
Co-Investments: 5
EstBAN
Europe, Harjumaa, Estonia, Tallinn
Co-Investments: 6
Superangel
Europe, Harjumaa, Estonia, Tallinn
Co-Investments: 7
TechOne VC
Europe, Istanbul, Turkey, Istanbul
Co-Investments: 5
Trind Ventures
Europe, Harjumaa, Estonia, Tallinn
Co-Investments: 8
Change Ventures
Europe, Harjumaa, Estonia, Tallinn
Co-Investments: 5
Presto Ventures
Europe, Hlavni mesto Praha, Czech Republic, Prague
Co-Investments: 10
Lemonade Stand
Europe, Harjumaa, Estonia, Tallinn
Co-Investments: 4
Specialist VC
Europe, Harjumaa, Estonia, Tallinn
Co-Investments: 10

Which angels does Startup Wise Guys often collaborate with?

RS
Europe, Estonia
Shared Deals: 3
MS
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 2
SB
Europe, Oslo, Norway, Oslo
Shared Deals: 3
MV
Europe, Harjumaa, Estonia, Tallinn
Shared Deals: 4
KV
Europe, Estonia
Shared Deals: 4
US
North America, United States
Shared Deals: 4
JK
Europe, Tartumaa, Estonia, Tartu
Shared Deals: 3
KK
Europe, Estonia
Shared Deals: 2
CS
North America, Washington, United States, Kirkland
Shared Deals: 2
TH
Europe, Harjumaa, Estonia, Tallinn
Shared Deals: 3

What are some of recent deals done by Startup Wise Guys?

Yaga

Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia

Yaga is an e-commerce site that provides t-shirts, clothing, books, magazines, and accessories for men, and women.

E-CommerceFashionOnline Portals
SeedOct 21, 2025
Amount Raised: $4,653,051
Theodosian

Kyiv, Kyyiv, Ukraine

Theodosian is a cybersecurity company specialising in enterprise file encryption and access control solutions.

Cyber Security
Pre SeedOct 17, 2025
Amount Raised: $1,300,000
Poleepo

Sora, Lazio, Italy

Poleepo provides a solution for managing and developing multichannel sales.

Software
SeedOct 16, 2025
Amount Raised: $1,169,951
eID easy

Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia

eID Easy is a SaaS B2B marketplace of Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) and electronic identity

Cyber SecurityDeveloper ToolsE-SignatureIdentity ManagementMarketplaceSaaSSoftware
SeedOct 13, 2025
Amount Raised: $1,503,617
Uspacy

Kyiv, Kyyiv, Ukraine

Uspacy is a single digital workspace that offers internal communications, people operations, collaboration, tasks and CRM.

Information TechnologySaaSSoftware
Pre SeedAug 14, 2025
Amount Raised: $489,324
Cryptoswift

Tartu, Tartumaa, Estonia

CryptoSwift helps crypto businesses comply with the Travel Rule via secure, automated data exchange between VASPs.

B2BFinTechSoftware
Pre SeedJul 3, 2025
Amount Raised: $601,259
Platter

London, England, United Kingdom

Technology for the wholesale food industry is being developed by Platter.

Software
Pre SeedMay 6, 2025
Amount Raised: $465,143
Esgrid

Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia

Esgrid provides value-chain sustainability management solutions to medium-sized businesses and financial institutions.

Financial ServicesSoftwareSustainability
Pre SeedApr 16, 2025
Amount Raised: $1,026,032
Esgrid

Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia

Esgrid provides value-chain sustainability management solutions to medium-sized businesses and financial institutions.

Financial ServicesSoftwareSustainability
SeedMar 12, 2025
Amount Raised: $435,427
Monkee

Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria

Monkee combines Personal Finance and Loyalty to help users save and retailers to connect with consumers in a relevant way.

AppsFinancial ServicesFinTechLoyalty ProgramsMobile AppsPersonal FinanceRetail Technology
SeedMar 2, 2025
Amount Raised: $291,542