Backbone Ventures
Venture capitalZurich · Pre-Seed–Seed · 13 people tracked
Investment thesis
Backbone Ventures backs early-stage entrepreneurs at the pre-seed stage, aiming to be the trusted partner for top founders who are just beginning their ventures. Founded in 2018, the firm initially invested on a deal-by-deal basis without a fund, backing 26 teams across Switzerland, Germany, the US and Israel. Since September 2022 it invests almost exclusively from its EUR 20m Backbone Ventures 5502 Fund, with a strong geographical focus on Germany and Switzerland.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 13 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 2 of 4 portfolio companiesBiotech ×1Deep Tech ×1E-commerce ×1Logistics & Supply Chain ×1Medical Devices ×1Retail Tech ×1SaaS ×1
HQs:Switzerland×1
Investments · 4 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathFabrikator provides supply chain management software for e-commerce businesses, helping DTC founders optimize inventory and operations by integrating with Shopify stores.
E-commerceLogistics & Supply ChainRetail TechSaaS
Co-investorsHeartfelt Capital
Immitra Bio develops an in-vivo stem cell therapy platform designed to treat rare genetic diseases, particularly severe inherited red blood cell disorders, by replacing complex transplants with single off-the-shelf treatments.
BiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesZürich, CH
Jan Nelis(CEO)in
Co-investorsKickfundOCCIDENTanother.vcVenture Kick
Digital care platform for hormone health in Europe, covering the entire patient journey with preventative treatments and men's health products.
Co-investorsGF BRYCK Ventures
Flexible and comprehensive 24/7 in-office meal solution spanning snack and coffee machines
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Backbone Ventures invest at?
- Backbone Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What is Backbone Ventures's typical check size?
- Backbone Ventures typically writes checks of $330K – $440K.
- What sectors does Backbone Ventures focus on?
- Backbone Ventures focuses on AgTech, Direct to Consumer, Healthtech, Robotics, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Backbone Ventures located?
- Backbone Ventures is headquartered in Zurich, CH.
- Does Backbone Ventures lead rounds?
- Yes, Backbone Ventures leads investment rounds.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamBackBone Ventures on "The StartupShow" | This upcoming Monday, the following investor is featured on "The StartupShow": Investor: BackBone Ventures Founding Partner: Janic Frölicher | By Cédric Bollag
Janic Frölicher · facebook.com
Make More Impact with the Help of BackBone Ventures / Episode 180 | This Monday, we take you to the VC side of the table with Janic Frölicher, the Founding Partner at BackBone Ventures. We discuss how they empower the... | By Global Tech Box
Janic Frölicher · facebook.com
Images
Co-investors · 3
Atomico is an international venture capital firm that invests in growth-stage technology companies across multiple geographies. The firm focuses on scaling disruptive technology businesses globally.
N26 is a Berlin-founded digital bank offering mobile-first banking services across Europe, including spending, saving, investing, crypto, and stock/ETF trading. It holds a full German banking license and serves millions of retail customers.
Unconventional Ventures provides capital to pre-seed and seed-stage technology companies founded by women, people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, with a primary focus on the Nordic region and surrounding markets.
Firms observed investing alongside Backbone Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Backbone Ventures's recorded portfolio.
Similar investors
Everywhere Ventures is an early-stage venture firm, backed by a community of founders and operators as LPs, that writes early checks (including pre-seed) into startups across many sectors and geographies.
MPG Fund is an early-stage venture investor backing technology startups.
Simon Capital is a family-heritage venture capital firm backing mission-driven founders building sustainable businesses in consumption, wellbeing, and productivity. It supports companies from Seed to Series A and beyond with capital, industry networks, and entrepreneurial expertise.
Hyderabad Angels is an angel investment network founded in 2010, comprising entrepreneurs, industrialists, and family offices that back early-stage startups across India with capital and mentorship.
Moses Capital provides high-conviction capital to early-stage venture capital fund managers across a range of industries and geographies, operating as a fund-of-funds allocating to venture managers on behalf of its LPs.