Company Profile: daphni

Background

Founded in 2015, daphni is a Paris-based venture capital firm dedicated to investing in early-stage European startups with strong international ambitions. The firm's mission is encapsulated in its motto, "Build da city for good," reflecting a commitment to fostering technological innovations that contribute positively to society and the environment. As a certified B Corporation, daphni integrates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its investment strategy, aiming to support companies that drive sustainable and impactful change.

Key Strategic Focus

daphni's strategic focus centers on identifying and supporting startups that introduce new usage models across various industries. The firm is sector-agnostic, emphasizing innovation, scalability, and sustainability. By leveraging a robust network of over 400 experts and a proprietary digital platform named Flamel, daphni enhances its ability to source, evaluate, and support promising ventures. The firm primarily invests in early-stage companies, with funding ranging from €0.5 million to €10 million, prioritizing startups with significant market potential in Europe and beyond.

Financials and Funding

As of March 2025, daphni announced the first closing of its new fund, Blue, at €200 million, with plans to reach a final close of €250 million by year-end. The Blue Fund aims to support approximately 40 startups working on sustainability by integrating science, software, and hardware, focusing on helping European scientific innovations transition from research to market. Notable limited partners in this fund include Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, Bpifrance, the European Investment Fund, PRO BTP, and Swen Capital Partners. In addition to Blue, daphni manages multiple funds, including daphni Purple, daphni Yellow, and Dastore, collectively overseeing over €500 million in assets under management.

Pipeline Development

daphni has a diverse portfolio of investments across various sectors. Notable companies include:

Back Market: A marketplace for refurbished electronics, promoting circular economy practices.

Swile: A fintech company transforming employee benefits and corporate services.

Memo Bank: Developing banking services for small and medium-sized businesses with a data-centric approach.

Leocare: A multi-service, fully-mobile neo-insurance provider for housing, car, motorbike, and smartphone coverage.

Pasqal: A company specializing in quantum computing solutions.

These investments reflect daphni's commitment to supporting companies that align with its mission of fostering sustainable and impactful innovations.

Technological Platform and Innovation

daphni distinguishes itself through its proprietary digital platform, Flamel. Flamel is designed to support entrepreneurs by connecting them with relevant contacts and providing meaningful market insights. The platform aids in sourcing and prioritizing investment opportunities, organizing deal flow, enhancing daily productivity, and leveraging data for informed decision-making. By integrating artificial intelligence capabilities, Flamel streamlines the investment process and fosters efficient collaboration between daphni and its portfolio companies.

Leadership Team

daphni's leadership team comprises experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds:

Pierre-Yves Meerschman: Co-founder & Managing Partner, overseeing investment strategies and portfolio management.

Marc Simoncini: Venture Partner, bringing extensive entrepreneurial and investment experience.

Aurélie Van Peteghem: Head of Community, responsible for managing daphni's network of experts and fostering community engagement.

Claire Tanguy: Chief Legal Officer, ensuring compliance and overseeing legal aspects of investments.

This team collectively drives daphni's mission and strategic initiatives, leveraging their expertise to support the firm's portfolio companies effectively.

Leadership Changes

In 2019, co-founders Marie Ekeland, Willy Braun, and Mathieu Daix departed daphni to pursue other investment projects. Marie Ekeland subsequently founded the 2050 fund, focusing on impact-driven startups. Following these departures, daphni announced a strategic partnership with Jaïna Capital, founded by Marc Simoncini and Charles-Henry Tranié, leading to the launch of the daphni Yellow fund in September 2020. This collaboration expanded daphni's investment capabilities and reinforced its commitment to supporting innovative startups.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The European venture capital landscape is characterized by a growing emphasis on sustainability and impact investing. Investors are increasingly seeking startups that not only promise financial returns but also contribute positively to societal and environmental goals. This trend aligns with daphni's mission-driven approach, positioning the firm favorably within the market.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the European venture capital space include:

Index Ventures: A London-based firm investing across various sectors, known for backing companies like Deliveroo and Revolut.

Balderton Capital: Focusing on early-stage investments in technology companies across Europe, with notable investments in companies like The Hut Group and Citymapper.

Atomico: Founded by Skype co-founder Niklas Zennström, Atomico invests in technology startups with global ambitions, including investments in Klarna and Supercell.

While these firms share a focus on technology and innovation, daphni's distinct emphasis on ESG principles and its proprietary platform, Flamel, provide unique differentiators in the competitive landscape.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

daphni has established significant partnerships to enhance its investment strategy and support for portfolio companies:

Dastore: In collaboration with Carrefour, daphni launched Dastore, an €80 million fund dedicated to retail innovation. This partnership combines Carrefour's retail expertise with daphni's venture capital acumen to support startups shaping the future of commerce.

Jaïna Capital: The strategic partnership with Jaïna Capital led to the creation of the daphni Yellow fund, expanding daphni's investment reach and resources.

These collaborations underscore daphni's commitment to leveraging strategic alliances to drive innovation and impact within its portfolio.

Operational Insights

daphni's operational strategy is deeply intertwined with its commitment to ESG principles. The firm has implemented an exclusion policy to avoid investments in sectors misaligned with its values, such as fossil fuels. Additionally, daphni actively supports its portfolio companies in adopting sustainable practices, offering resources and expertise to enhance their ESG performance. This proactive approach not only mitigates sustainability risks but also positions daphni as a responsible and forward-thinking investor.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, daphni aims to:

Expand Investment in Sustainable Technologies: Through the Blue Fund, daphni plans to invest in startups that integrate science, software, and hardware to address sustainability challenges.

Enhance Technological Capabilities: By further developing the Flamel platform, daphni seeks to improve its investment processes and support mechanisms for portfolio companies.

Strengthen Community Engagement: Leveraging its network of over 400 experts, daphni intends to foster deeper collaborations and knowledge sharing to drive innovation and impact.

These strategic directions align with daphni's mission to "Build da city for good," reinforcing its commitment to supporting startups that contribute to a better and more sustainable world.