Introduction to Robin Capital’s Bold Venture

In a significant stride for the European venture capital landscape, Robin Capital, spearheaded by former entrepreneur Robin Haak, has successfully closed its “Robin Fund One” with a total of €13 million. Alongside an additional growth-focused investment vehicle worth €2 million, the fund now boasts a total capital of €15 million. This figure stands out in the realm of European solo general partners (GPs), especially when compared to their American counterparts who often raise larger sums.

Focus and Strategy of Robin Capital

Launched in 2023, Robin Capital zeroes in on European B2B midmarket enterprise SaaS startups, with a particular focus on the DACH region. The fund targets pre-seed and seed stages across diverse sectors including HR, AI, fintech, climate change solutions, DevOps, robotics, and industrial tech.

• Currently supports 28 companies in its portfolio
• Significant investments include Kombo Dev from Germany and Phacet Labs from France
• Half of the fund’s capital has already been deployed

“These one and a half years were probably the toughest times in venture history due to macroeconomic challenges,” Haak shared with TechCrunch. “The advantage lies in having an extensive network of professional Limited Partners.”

– Robin Haak

The People Behind the Fund

Founded in December 2022 by Robin Haak, known for co-founding Jobspotting (which was acquired by SmartRecruiters Inc. in San Francisco), Robin Capital draws strength from its robust network. Haak’s impressive track record includes being an early investor in German neobank N26.

The fund includes 70 limited partners featuring GPs from private equity and venture capital firms as well as founders and operators. Notably, venture partners like Renaud Visage (former CTO of Eventbrite), Jerome Ternynck (founder of SmartRecruiters), and Lea Vajnorsky (co-founder of Wo\men Inc.) are part of this compelling community.

The Rise of Solo GPs in Europe

Robin Capital is part of a growing movement of solo GPs in Europe—often former fund partners, entrepreneurs, or startup operators—who are carving out new paths in the venture capital space. These solo GPs can make swifter decisions compared to traditional multi-partner funds and often leverage their personal brands for faster access to networks and expertise.

Interestingly, TechCrunch has identified 28 solo GP VCs launched in Europe in recent years. While some remain solo operations, others like 20VC and Unruly Capital have expanded enough to bring additional partners on board.

Conclusion: A Promising Future Ahead

As Robin Capital continues to navigate the challenging yet rewarding venture landscape, it exemplifies the potential for solo GPs to make impactful contributions. With a strong network and clear focus areas, Robin Capital is well-positioned to foster innovation across Europe’s tech sectors.