Participated · Series A · Jul 2022

Micropep develops micropeptide crop protection technologies and an AI-powered discovery platform called Krisalix™ for rapid discovery of micropeptide molecules. Krisalix combines proprietary design algorithms with a suite of bioassays to measure efficiency, stability, and production feasibility. The company plans to use the new funding to solidify its market position and strengthen existing partnerships. It also intends to build new relationships with R&D, manufacturing, commercial, and distribution partners in the industry. Micropep is led by CEO Thomas Laurent and operates in the US and France. The firm has raised over $60M in total funding to date. Micropep builds pesticides from micropeptides—natural proteins under 100 amino acids—aiming for a new class of crop protection that is more targeted and less toxic than synthetic chemicals. Its initial products are leaf‑applied sprays for soybean that wait for fungal spores and then disrupt fungal cell membranes, causing the fungus to self‑destruct. The company has developed predictive models and plans to test 1,000–2,000 candidates in the lab, narrow to 50–100 for greenhouse trials, and advance leads into field trials. A key technical challenge is peptide persistence in soil, so Micropep has optimized formulations that remain stable on leaves for a few days while it seeks more durable candidates. Micropep is running regulatory trials in the U.S., Brazil and Europe, aims for regulatory review by 2026, and hopes to be on the market in the U.S. and Brazil by 2028 and in Europe by 2030. Founder Thomas Laurent says the company will partner with other firms to embed its ingredients in third‑party products, and the startup recently raised funding to support its go‑to‑market strategy. Micropep has developed a patented, non‑GMO technological platform that uses exogenous micropeptides—short natural plant peptides—to precisely modulate plant gene expression without altering DNA. The company positions its products as biological, spray‑applied alternatives to conventional chemical crop protection aimed at controlling resistant weeds and pathogens while preserving yields and the environment. Micropep was founded in 2016 as a spin‑off of the LRSV plant research laboratory at CNRS and Toulouse University and is based in Toulouse, France. The firm is moving from research toward commercialization and is accelerating development of its first micropeptide candidates. The recent financing will fund expansion into the United States and the recruitment of a local team to deploy solutions in that market. The company emphasizes the broad potential of its discovery platform and intends to bring cost‑effective, environmentally safer tools to farmers. Micropep develops novel peptide-based biological products for agriculture using a proprietary discovery platform. The company has created miPEPs, a family of natural peptides that regulate plant microRNAs and can be sprayed to precisely enhance plant traits without modifying DNA. Led by Thomas Laurent, Micropep was spun out from the CNRS and Toulouse University in 2016. The firm aims to address disease control and weed suppression and to enter the EUR 47 billion-plus pesticides market, initially targeting $28 billion herbicides and fungicides markets in the Americas and Europe. The Series A financing will be used to further develop its discovery platform and progress its pipeline. Micropep positions its technology as an alternative to traditional chemical pesticides by leveraging biological peptide solutions. Micropep Technologies is a Toulouse, France-based biotech company developing biological alternatives to agrochemicals. Founded in 2016 by Thomas Laurent, the company focuses on bioherbicides and biostimulants. Its core technology uses plant-derived "micro-peptides" to transiently modulate gene expression and regulate plant growth while leaving DNA intact. Micropep currently advances four development programs targeting germination, flowering, growth, and weed control. The company raised €4M in Series A funding led by Sofinnova Partners. The funds will be used to strengthen the technology platform, advance R&D programs to proof of concept, and initiate international commercial growth.

Participated · Series A · Sep 2021

Getfluence is a Toulouse-based adtech platform that serves as a go-between for brands and media outlets, managing branded editorial content on a single platform. The company standardises campaign terms and workflows across publishers to shorten the process of arranging editorial campaigns. Content is managed directly on the Getfluence platform, and the startup provides campaign measurement and analytics for advertisers. Getfluence has established partnerships with over 10,000 European media outlets and has surpassed 1,000 customers; clients include Samsung, Uber, and dentsu. With an established presence in France, Spain, and Italy, the company has consolidated its positioning and branding to support expansion into the UK and London. Financially, Getfluence closed a €5 million Series A to support these growth plans.

Participated · Seed · Sep 2020

MagicPallet operates the first online Euro-pallet exchange solution, allowing carriers, manufacturers and retailers to exchange Europallets quickly and on demand. The platform aims to eliminate unnecessary and costly journeys for relocating pallets, thereby reducing road freight carbon emissions. It also promotes reuse of the Europallet to help combat deforestation. The €2.5M raised will fund completion of operational and organizational stages and further development of its digital platform to enable more exchanges and address other pallet-relocation problems. MagicPallet plans to make its solution available to all supply-chain participants, roll out the service globally and recruit additional staff. Since launching in December 2018, the company has received the FrenchTech label, won several innovation awards and holds the Solar Impulse Efficient Solutions label.

Participated · Series A · Jul 2020

Exotrail develops electric propulsion systems and related products to enhance small-satellite mobility, deployment and on-orbit performance. The company intends to expand its product range to improve satellite mobility and help reduce space pollution. Exotrail raised $58 million in a Series B to fund those efforts. CEO and co-founder Jean-Luc Maria said the company will accelerate positioning its mobility hub as the world reference for moving assets in space and to be the preferred partner for space companies. The business is part of a broader uptick in European spacetech funding and drew broad participation from public and private French investors. Exotrail develops electric propulsion systems and spacecraft flight software for smallsats, including the ExoOPS mission‑design software released in March. The company targets satellites from 10 to 250 kilograms and has demonstration propulsion systems awaiting and scheduled for multiple launches. Exotrail plans to expand manufacturing from roughly 10 units a year to about 100 by 2022–2023 and increase headcount from 27 to 50. It aims to release a spacecraft operations software program and to develop an in-space transportation vehicle called Space Van, targeting a 2024 demonstration and envisioned evolution into a satellite servicer by 2025. Exotrail began generating revenue in the current year, a milestone that helped attract investors. The company operates from Massy and Toulouse, France. Exotrail develops proprietary electric thruster technology and plug-in operational software for small satellites. The company is developing two propulsion systems: ExoMG–nano for 10–20kg satellites and ExoMG-micro for satellites up to 100kg. It targets integrators and constellation operators and has founding clients who have committed interest in its propulsion systems. Exotrail raised $4.1M (€3.5M) in a round completed via a public financing offer to support prototype demonstration and product finalization. Planned uses include demonstrating the prototype thruster in space, finalizing product and service offerings, delivering first functional systems to founding clients, and accelerating design of mission-optimization software. The company was founded in 2015 and planned to expand its team from six people to more than sixteen by the end of the calendar year.

Participated · Equity · Jul 2019

Microphyt develops microalgae-based natural active ingredients for nutrition and well-being using a proprietary, patented production technology. Since 2009 the company has operated an industrial production platform based on 5,000-litre tubular photobioreactors to access diverse microalgae species with high control and standardization. Its pipeline includes a portfolio of 10 nutritional active ingredients and 20 cosmetic active and functional ingredients, and the company has already established several commercial partnerships. Microphyt plans to accelerate product development, expand its global sales network, strengthen its team, and significantly increase ingredient production capacity over the next 18 months. The company emphasizes sustainable, standardized production to meet growing consumer demand for natural solutions in nutrition and wellbeing.