Led · Seed · Dec 2021

StartupGym operates as an operator-led studio that develops, launches and scales next-generation digital businesses, providing prototyping, validation, team building and fundraising support. Founded in Milan in 2021 by Enrico Pandian, Tarek Fahmy and Giuseppe Balzano, the company scouts impactful ideas across European tech markets. Its stated aim is to speed capital allocation toward new impact ventures and to mitigate market risk around product adoption. The founders describe the model as a modern 'Renaissance Bottega' focused on scouting international talent and building worldwide companies. StartupGym raised an oversubscribed €1.5 million pre-seed round to fund these activities. The company plans to support tech disruptors across Europe in launching products that deliver societal value.

Participated · Series A · Feb 2019

Casavo operates a technology-driven real estate platform known for its Instant/Immediate Offer service that enables rapid home sales, and it combines proprietary technology with a direct network of agents. The company already operates in multiple European markets, including Italy and France, and currently has a network of around 200 agents. Casavo is pursuing both organic growth and roll-up acquisitions to expand its geographic reach, exemplified by its acquisition of Casando Agency, which adds over 60 agents in top Italian cities. Management plans to double the agent network to more than 400 and enter 20 new urban areas by 2026 as part of a broader 2026–2030 plan. The Immediate Offer service will be revamped in 2025 to generate returns for property investors, and Casavo targets revenues of over €50 million by 2030. The recent capital increase of over €12 million is intended to support these expansion and product initiatives.

Participated · Series B · Nov 2018

Fraugster is a Berlin-based startup that uses artificial intelligence to detect and prevent fraud for online retailers and payments firms. Its technology aggregates data from multiple sources, analyzes and cross-checks it in a fraction of a second, and aims to reduce false positives so more legitimate transactions are approved. The company sells to payments companies including Ingenico ePayments and Six Payments. Fraugster offers a “Fraud Free” product that takes on the full liability for each transaction, a product feature backed by insurance from Munich Re/HSB Ventures. CEO and co-founder Max Laemmle says the company has reduced the industry’s typical false-positive cost ratio from $17 to $2. Fraugster plans to use new funding to expand into the U.S., Asia and further into Europe. Fraugster builds an AI‑powered fraud detection platform that analyzes enriched transaction data with a self‑learning algorithm that mimics a human analyst. Its system enriches transactions with roughly 2,000 additional data points (IP latency, connection type, keystroke distance, email name match, etc.) and routes the dataset to an engine that delivers decisions in as little as 15ms using proprietary in‑memory database technology. The company says its technology can reduce fraud by 70% while increasing conversion rates by as much as 35%. Fraugster reports handling almost $15 billion in transaction volume for “several thousand” international merchants and payment service providers, including Visa. Founded in 2014 by Max Laemmle and Chen Zamir and operating from Germany and Israel, the startup plans to use new capital to add headcount and expand internationally. It positions itself against incumbent enterprise players like FICO and SAS, which it describes as based on outdated, rule‑based systems.

Participated · Series C · Jun 2018

Andrew Alliance develops a family of software-driven benchtop robots that automate liquid handling using standard pipettes and consumables. Each robot has a footprint about the size of a standard piece of paper, works right out of the box and delivers consistent measurements within minutes of setup. The company says its robots are relied on by 18 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies, the top four diagnostic companies and 16 of the top 20 leading academic research institutions. Its approach targets improved repeatability and reduced manual pipetting errors to transform bench research. Andrew Alliance plans to use new funding for continuous product innovation, strategic industry partnerships and to extend customer collaboration worldwide to refine future offerings. The company positions its robots as an affordable, complementary option to larger automation workstations. Andrew Alliance develops the Andrew co-worker robot to automate routine laboratory liquid-handling tasks by manipulating commercial pipettes. The robot reduces repetitive pipetting, health risks and errors while delivering reproducible and traceable results. Launched in January 2013, Andrew was named New Product of the Year by SLAS and MIPTEC and was rapidly adopted by academic and pharmaceutical customers. The product is commercially available in more than 17 countries through distributor partners and direct distribution elsewhere. The company announced a Series B financing from Omega Funds to support product development and to establish commercial operations in the U.S., and it is opening a Boston office in Copley Square. Omega’s venture partner Vincent Ossipow will join Andrew Alliance’s board alongside the company’s founders.

Participated · Seed · Jan 2017

Artemest is an online marketplace for high-end Italian artisanal design, offering a curated selection of home décor, art and furniture. Co-founded by Ippolita Rostagno and Marco Credendino, the platform connects more than 1,300 Italian artisans and creators and lists over 60,000 products for thousands of customers and design professionals worldwide. The company emphasizes craftsmanship and handmade pieces, positioning its catalogue more like an art museum than a typical interior design shop. Artemest plans to use new funding to accelerate growth with a particular focus on the US, and to further develop its technology, brand and community while optimizing catalog and talent recruitment. It will also expand services for interior designers, brands and hospitality partners by offering end-to-end support through personal advisors and content- and tech-enabled tools. The €15 million investment is intended to support these strategic initiatives and broader market expansion. Artemest operates a curated online marketplace that connects over 1,000 Italian artisans and luxury brands with international customers and designers. The platform offers services including concierge, logistics support and marketing to help suppliers expand their digital sales and international reach. Artemest serves customers in more than 70 countries, with the US, Canada and the UK as its main markets and APAC following North America for revenue and traffic. Led by CEO Marco Credendino, the company develops special collections in collaboration with luxury brands and artists and plans to continue such partnerships. The new funding will be used to develop digital tools for interior designers, architects, consumers and suppliers to enhance online visibility and sales strategies. The company emphasizes supporting small luxury brands, artisans, designers and artists to gain international visibility and exclusive distribution relationships on its platform. Artemest is a Milan-based e-commerce marketplace that showcases and sells unique contemporary handmade luxury products from independent producers. Its assortment includes customizable furniture, home décor, tableware and a selection of handmade gifts, with the majority of products distributed exclusively by Artemest. The platform connects a curated network of more than 400 independent Italian craftsmen and designers with an international audience of art and design lovers. Artemest was launched in October by jewelry designer and Chief Creative Director Ippolita Rostagno and CEO Marco Credendino. The company plans to use the Series A proceeds to accelerate growth and increase its number of suppliers. It also intends to open a trade version of the platform to strengthen relationships with interior designers and architects who already use the site. Artemest operates an online marketplace featuring handmade luxury products across Home Décor, Lifestyle and Jewelry. The platform lists more than 5,000 products from 230 independent makers and includes a content section that explores manufacturing processes behind featured items. Launched in October 2015 by Ippolita Rostagno and Marco Credendino, the company curates and sells artisan-made goods. Artemest raised $1.2M in seed funding to support its growth. The company intends to use the funds to expand its presence in the US and the UK and to increase the number of artisans and makers on the platform. The business combines e-commerce with editorial content to showcase craftsmanship and provenance.