In a bold move, FEBE Ventures, a seed-focused venture capital firm led by a team of ex-founders, proudly announces the launch of its $75 million second fund, a substantial expansion from its initial $30 million Fund I.
Dubbed “For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs” (FEBE), the operator-led firm draws on the firsthand experiences of its founders to navigate the startup landscape. The first fund, under the leadership of Managing Partner Olivier Raussin, a former senior executive at Google and Microsoft, has invested in 35 companies across 13 countries.
FEBE’s new fund is poised to target pre-seed and seed-stage founders globally, with a keen emphasis on B2B software, marketplaces, health, and sustainability. The fund boasts established networks in Southeast Asia, North America, Latin America, and Europe.
Adding to its firepower, FEBE Ventures welcomes two new Partners – Nicolas El Baze and Aditya Pendyala. El Baze, with a rich entrepreneurial background and leadership at Partech Ventures, brings a wealth of experience and connections to the Asian tech ecosystem. Pendyala, a serial entrepreneur in the B2B enterprise sector, contributes valuable knowledge across AI/ML, enterprise SaaS, IoT, and blockchain.
As part of the Fund II launch, FEBE strategically aligns with Tekton Ventures, a prominent Silicon Valley fund, and Otium Capital, serving as FEBE’s anchor partner. These partnerships, combining Silicon Valley’s success strategies with extensive startup investment expertise, signify FEBE’s commitment to global entrepreneurship.
The strategic collaboration with Tekton Ventures, known for its diversified portfolio featuring over ten unicorns, and the exclusive partnership with Otium Capital, led by successful serial entrepreneur Pierre-Edouard Stérin, further strengthen FEBE’s ability to foster entrepreneurship across borders.
“The addition of Adi, Nicolas, and Jai, with their solid entrepreneurial and investment experiences, aligns perfectly with FEBE’s values and vision. Our partnerships with Tekton Ventures and Otium Capital represent key steps in expanding our global footprint. These collaborations are not just strategic; they reflect our shared commitment to fostering entrepreneurship across borders,” says Raussin.
In a 2021 episode of Vietnam Innovators, Olivier highlighted Vietnam as the top market for startup investments in the region. The country’s adept handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with global integration and robust educational programs, has catapulted it to the forefront. Factors like 5G development, high e-commerce penetration, and widespread digital payment usage further enhance Vietnam’s appeal.
FEBE Ventures is reaping the benefits of Vietnam’s emerging regional investment hub, with an influx of 15-20 new opportunities weekly (in April 2021). At that time, the fund has invested in 11 startups across various sectors, including fintech, logistics, healthtech, and edutech.