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Tekfen Ventures

North America, New York, United States, New York

Description

Tekfen Ventures operates as the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of Tekfen Holding, a prominent Turkish industrial conglomerate with diverse interests spanning agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and energy. Based in New York, the firm strategically invests in early-stage technology companies, typically from Seed to Series A rounds, that are developing disruptive solutions relevant to its parent company's core operational sectors. This strategic alignment allows Tekfen Ventures to not only provide capital but also facilitate potential partnerships and market access for its portfolio companies within Tekfen Holding's extensive global ecosystem.

The firm's investment thesis is deeply rooted in identifying and nurturing technological innovations that can enhance efficiency, sustainability, and competitive advantage within traditional industries. Their primary focus areas include agritech, construction technology (contech), advanced manufacturing, and energy solutions. Tekfen Ventures actively seeks startups leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI, robotics, IoT, and advanced materials to address critical challenges in these sectors. The goal is to back companies that offer scalable solutions with the potential for significant impact, both independently and through synergy with Tekfen Holding's operations.

Tekfen Ventures typically deploys first checks ranging from $500,000 to $2,000,000, positioning itself as a key early-stage investor for promising startups. Beyond financial investment, the firm distinguishes itself by offering strategic value, including access to Tekfen Holding's operational expertise, vast customer base, and potential for pilot programs and commercialization opportunities within a large industrial enterprise. As of early 2024, their portfolio includes approximately 19 investments, reflecting a focused yet diverse approach to building a robust ecosystem of innovative companies that can drive future growth and transformation across their target industries.

Investor Profile

Tekfen Ventures has backed more than 23 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 2 rounds, about 9% of its total and boasts 3 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series B, Series A, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, United Kingdom, Israel.
  • Strong thematic focus on Agriculture, Software, Biotechnology.
  • Typical check size: $500K – $2M.

Stage Focus

  • Series B (39%)
  • Series A (26%)
  • Series Unknown (13%)
  • Series C (13%)
  • Series D (4%)
  • Seed (4%)

Country Focus

  • United States (78%)
  • United Kingdom (17%)
  • Israel (4%)

Industry Focus

  • Agriculture
  • Software
  • Biotechnology
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Machine Learning
  • Robotics
  • Agtech
  • Cleantech
  • Advanced Materials
  • Industrial Automation
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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 Tekfen Ventures frequently co-invest with?

MV
North America, Ohio, United States, Toledo
Co-Investments: 2
BV
North America, Missouri, United States, Chesterfield
Co-Investments: 2
Calibrate Ventures
North America, California, United States, Pasadena
Co-Investments: 3
Temasek Holdings
Asia, Central Region, Singapore, Singapore
Co-Investments: 5
UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund
Europe, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, Harwell
Co-Investments: 3
Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 3
Material Impact
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 3
DCVC
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 3
Continental Grain Company
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 4
Pavilion Capital
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2

Which angels does Tekfen Ventures often collaborate with?

RC
North America, Iowa, United States, Ames
Shared Deals: 2
AC
North America, California, United States
Shared Deals: 2

What are some of recent deals done by Tekfen Ventures?

Laverock Therapeutics

Stevenage, Herefordshire, United Kingdom

Laverock Therapeutics is developing a gene silencing platform for the creation of programmable, allogeneic cell therapies.

BiotechnologyTherapeutics
SeedSep 28, 2023
Amount Raised: $16,475,711
Phospholutions

State College, Pennsylvania, United States

Phospholutions developed a patented technology to alleviate the environmental impact of phosphorus fertilizer.

AgricultureHorticultureSustainability
Series UnknownAug 10, 2023
Amount Raised: $10,150,000
Tropic Biosciences

London, England, United Kingdom

Tropic Biosciences is a pioneering leader in the development of novel high-performing commercial tropical crop varieties and traits.

AgricultureBiotechnology
Series CJul 6, 2022
Amount Raised: $35,000,000
Petra

San Francisco, California, United States

Petra is a Robotics company that focuses solely on underground utilities.

Robotics
Series UnknownJun 16, 2022
Petra

San Francisco, California, United States

Petra is a Robotics company that focuses solely on underground utilities.

Robotics
Series ADec 9, 2021
Amount Raised: $30,000,000
Mosaic

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Mosaic is a a tech-enabled general contractor for the residential development industry.

ArchitectureConstructionSoftware
Series BNov 1, 2021
Amount Raised: $44,000,000
Pivot Bio

Berkeley, California, United States

Pivot Bio is an agricultural tech company improving the microbiome by taking nitrogen from the air and making it available for plants.

AgricultureAgTechBiotechnologyCleanTech
Series DJul 19, 2021
Amount Raised: $430,000,000
Soft Robotics

Bedford, Massachusetts, United States

Soft Robotics is a technology company that provides design service using 3D machine perception and artificial intelligence.

Advanced MaterialsArtificial Intelligence (AI)Industrial AutomationMachine LearningService IndustrySoftware
Series BJun 29, 2021
Amount Raised: $10,000,000
Avvir

New York, New York, United States

Avvir is a reality analysis platform.

AnalyticsInformation TechnologyReal EstateRoboticsSoftware
Series AMar 26, 2021
Amount Raised: $10,000,000
Phospholutions

State College, Pennsylvania, United States

Phospholutions developed a patented technology to alleviate the environmental impact of phosphorus fertilizer.

AgricultureHorticultureSustainability
Series AJan 26, 2021
Amount Raised: $10,300,000