Capital alone does not determine the success of an investment. What matters is whether a business model reaches the right market and whether we can make a measurable contribution through our expertise, network and capital. The following six criteria describe what FOSTEC Ventures is looking for. They are intended as a guide to help you assess your own suitability, not as a rigid checklist. Anyone who finds a match on several points should get in touch. The key differentiating factor remains access to the FOSTEC & Company network.
Our investment criteria
I Product-market-fit
We invest in business models with a proven product-market fit. Demonstrated market demand and, ideally, initial paying customers show that the offering solves a real problem and that the market is willing to pay. Our core competence, Market Intelligence & Product-Market Fit, illustrates how we work together to refine this fit.
II Sustainable & defendable business model
What matters is not the initial lead, but its sustainability. We seek business models with a sustainable, defendable competitive advantage and above-average growth potential. Recurring revenue and robust unit economics are key value drivers here. Our core competence in Corporate Strategy & Scaling addresses how models can be refined and scaled profitably.
III An excellent team
Business models are implemented by people. For us, in-depth specialist knowledge, a passion for excellence and ‘intellectual humility’ are among the most important qualities we look for in the founding and management teams. Teams that combine practical experience with a willingness to learn lay the foundations for sound decision-making. Our core competence in Organisation, Talent & Task Force provides the basis for this.
IV Investments with significant impact
We invest where we can make a significant contribution through our expertise, network and capital, and actively help shape development – not merely as passive investors. The greatest leverage comes from access to the FOSTEC & Company network, which provides advantages in terms of market positioning and initial sales contacts.
V Investment framework
Our investment size ranges from 200 Tsd. to 2 Mio. EUR. For our own incubation projects, we invest as early as the seed phase; otherwise, we typically invest from Series A onwards. As an evergreen investor, we invest using our own capital and without a predetermined holding period.
VI Ecosystem fit
We invest in companies based in Europe that fit into our ecosystem: B2B services, B2B technology, platform economy, AI deep tech and prop tech. It is not the sector alone that matters, but rather the question of where the FOSTEC & Company network creates real advantages.
Is your project a good fit?
No project meets every criterion from the outset. What matters is whether there are connections across several areas and whether the FOSTEC & Company network can act as a real catalyst for your next phase. You can read about where this catalyst comes into play on our overarching core competencies page.
Let’s arrange an initial meeting to assess which areas of opportunity FOSTEC Ventures can unlock for your company. We’ll take a practical, collaborative approach and provide a clear assessment.
