Unlike startups which take advantage of thousands of incubators, accelerators and European communities to advance their projects, venture capital companies have much fewer options. “Yet they face longer, more expensive and more complex fundraising challenges” explains Jonathan Hollis, Managing Partner at Mountside Ventures, a European accelerator and seed-stage consultancy.
This observation led Mountside Ventures to launch the first venture capital accelerator in Europe dedicated to emerging fund managers, an initiative which is intended to be a first in the sector. “We are here to work with the best and help them become successful investors. » The accelerator estimates that emerging investment funds represent 72% of the most profitable funds without benefiting from specific support granted to investors in Europe, unlike in the United States.
Filling the hole in the accelerator racket
“There is very little online information and advice on how to raise money for investors in venture capital funds compared to the wealth of resources helping startups raise money. » With its accelerator, Mountside Ventures hopes to increase the likelihood that emerging managers will succeed in raising funds, while increasing the number of venture capital firms, which are under-represented in the ecosystem.
Funded by partners, the program is free for the 15 to 20 European-based venture capital firms that will be selected. “We want to provide access to fundraising resources as well as investor lists to all participants, in order to support other members of the community. »
Advice and network
To join the system initiated by Mountside Ventures, candidate VCs must already be seasoned investors. The application form is online and will then be studied during a selection process. “We will be paying close attention to how they describe their competitive advantage, why they started their fund and how they envision the next ten years. We will also take a close look at their previous experience and performance as well as examples of recent investments where applicable. »
Jonathan Hollis emphasizes the global dimension of the mentors who will train the candidates and recalls that they will be supported by fundraising experts on various themes such as how to effectively convince investors, what different types of investors are looking for, how to build an optimal portfolio, how to present their fund in the best light. Recipients will also benefit from a series of physical events across Europe, including in London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Helsinki as well as ten hours of one-on-one mentoring with the founding partners of some of the venture capital firms and most successful private equity firms in Europe. “The most important added value we will bring is not only what they will learn, but the connections we will make with Limited Partners and Family Offices interested in investing with emerging managers. »
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