Fundraising Fox
Backbone Ventures
Venture capitalZürich · Pre-Seed–Seed · 11 people tracked
Find your way into Backbone Ventures
Sign up to see every warm intro you have to Backbone Ventures
- Paths you didn't know you had: your email and LinkedIn already hold routes to the Backbone Ventures team. We find them for you
- 2nd- and 3rd-degree connections: the friend-of-a-friend routes that take hours to manually find through your inbox or LinkedIn
- Answers now, not in days: momentum is everything in a raise. Skip asking around whether someone knows someone
Days of research, done the moment you sign in, with every route ranked by how warm it is.
Investment thesis
Backbone Ventures backs the best founders as early as possible, whether they have a pitch deck or just an idea, provided they target a large market and bring the right skillset. Its EUR 20m 5502 pre-seed fund deliberately focuses on founders who have consistently outperformed despite structural disadvantages tied to gender, origin, or socioeconomic background, with a strong geographical focus on Germany and Switzerland. The firm aims to become the trusted partner for founders at the very start of their entrepreneurial journey.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 27, 2026.
Team · 11 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 29 of 50 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×8SaaS ×8Enterprise Software ×6Cleantech ×5Fintech ×5Biotech ×4Deep Tech ×4Consumer ×3
HQs:Switzerland×12Germany×3Brazil×1France×1Mexico×1United States×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 15 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×52 founders×94+ founders×1
Where their founders studiedfrom 12 founders with education data
ETH Zürich ×2Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München ×2
What their founders studiedfrom 13 founders with field-of-study data
Computer Science ×5Engineering ×5Business & Management ×3Finance & Accounting ×2
Investments · 50 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 12025 · 22024 · 32023 · 22022 · 22021 · 12020 · 112 dated
Fabrikator 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 CapitalPrequel VenturesEndeit CapitalL Catterton
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
Amir Taheri(Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer)inJacob Corn(Co-founder and Scientific Advisor)inJan Nelis(Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsKickfundOCCIDENTanother.vcVenture Kick
Acodis provides AI-powered document automation and data extraction for quality and compliance teams, primarily in regulated industries like pharmaceuticals and life sciences.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareLegalTechSaaS
Co-investorsKickstart InnovationSeed XSerpentine VenturesSICTICVI Partners
Adon Health offers at-home blood test kits focused on testosterone and men's health, delivering lab results through an online portal and connecting patients with independent partner physicians for possible testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Digital HealthHealthtechWellness & Fitness
Co-investorsGF BRYCK VenturesAtomico
Aepsy is a Swiss online platform that matches individuals, couples, and families with vetted psychologists and therapists for psychological coaching and psychotherapy.
Digital HealthMarketplacesMental Health
Aerospec develops AIRMon, an automated instrument for real-time chemical analysis of aerosol particulate matter using FTIR technology.
CleantechClimate TechDeep TechHardwareGeneva, CH
Nikunj Dudani(CEO, Co-founder)inSatoshi Takahama(Scientific Advisor, Co-Founder)in
Co-investorsKickfund
Boostbar provides workplace catering and coffee solutions for companies in Switzerland, offering vending machines, coffee machines, and a range of snacks, drinks, and meals along with installation, refilling, maintenance, and support.
FoodTechHardwareIoTZürich, CH
Pascal Uffer(Gründer)in
Co-investorskineo finance
BKW Group is an international energy and infrastructure company that provides solutions across infrastructure, buildings, and energy, including grid expansion, energy-efficient buildings, and large-scale engineering projects.
CleantechConstruction TechEdTechEnergyFuture of WorkHR TechBern, CH
Thomas Schulz(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsSICTICStartAngels Network
Dropz makes sugar- and calorie-free flavor cubes (dropz) and Iced Coffee Cubes that dissolve in water to add taste and vitamins, sold direct to consumers along with reusable bottles and starter sets.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerce
Zafar Hasher(Founder)in
Co-investorsDaniel GutenbergOyster Bay Venture CapitalZiano Venturesredalpine
Eternal is a Los Angeles NFT marketplace for trading Twitch streamer clips, a Y Combinator W20 company now listed as acquired.
ConsumerGamingLos Angeles, US
Jeffrey Tong(Founder)inAlex Mather(Founder)inReggie James(Founder)Derek ChianginJelyn Hermosa(Chief of Staff)
Co-investorsArrington CapitalCoinbase VenturesY Combinator468 CapitalAmbush CapitalArrington XRP Capital+17 more
Eternal builds autonomous robots powered by AI for greenhouse farming, designed to handle labor-intensive tasks like harvesting so growers can produce fresh food year-round.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningRobotics
Co-investorsEquityPitcher VenturesOyster Bay Venture CapitalSimon Capital
Exakt Health offers a mobile app for runners with app-based physical therapy and personalized run training plans created by physical therapists and running coaches.
Digital HealthSports TechWellness & FitnessBerlin, DE
Lucia Payo Molina(Founder)Philip Billaudelle(Founder)
Co-investorsAuxxoZiano VenturesCreandum
Faircado is a shopping app and browser extension that aggregates second-hand offers from multiple online marketplaces, showing users pre-owned alternatives with price comparisons while they browse.
Circular EconomyConsumerE-commerce
Evolena(Co-founder)Ali(Co-founder)
Co-investorsWorld Fund
.svg)
findependent is a Swiss digital wealth management app (FINMA-licensed securities firm) that lets users invest in sustainable ETF-based portfolios, either through five ready-made investment solutions or a self-assembled ETF portfolio.
FintechSaaS
Matthias Bryner(Founder)inKay Foerschle(Founder)in
Co-investorsSICTICZiano Ventures
Drone delivery from local restaurants and grocery stores
Co-investorsArmada Investment AGBRM CapitalDaniel GutenbergTal VenturesBenhamou Global VenturesGlafka Capital
Duck Creek Embedded Payments (Beyond Core) is an embedded payment platform designed for property & casualty insurers that integrates payment collection, management, and disbursement directly into core insurance workflows.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechInsurTechSaaS
Co-investorsSICTICSixThirty Ventures
Immunos Therapeutics develops therapies for immuno-oncology and inflammatory diseases.
BiotechHealthtechMedical Devices
Co-investorsBioMedPartnersGimvLightspeed Venture PartnersMission BiocapitalPfizer Venture InvestmentsPfizer Ventures+1 more
Levo provides a treasury management platform that helps startups and small-to-medium businesses in Latin America deploy excess cash through customized investment and operational finance strategies.
FintechMexico City, MX
Salvador Rivero(Founder)inMax Mergenthaler(Founder)in
Co-investorsSprint VcY CombinatorHalo LabsHarvard Management CompanyLatitud VenturesMagma Partners+2 more
Neon is a Brazilian digital bank offering fixed-income investment products, including certificates of deposit (CDBs) with daily or scheduled liquidity, protected by the FGC deposit guarantee.
Fintech
Pedro Conrade(Founder)Tim League(Founder)
Co-investorsAcross Capital PartnersFlourish VenturesMONASHEESPropel Venture PartnersQuona CapitalSella Direct Ventures+7 more
Reshape Systems provides AI-driven risk analysis software for complex systems including autonomous vehicles, drones, and industrial infrastructure.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise Software
Andrea(Founder & CEO)Thomas(Founder & CTO)
Co-investorsHeartfelt CapitalKickfundOpen Network LabACME CapitalAstanor VenturesY Combinator
RTDT develops Aerosense, a wireless, ultra-thin sensor patch that retrofits onto wind turbine blades to capture high-frequency aero-structural data, paired with analysis modules and dashboards.
CleantechEnergyIoTZürich, CH
Konstantinos Tatsis(CSO & Co-Founder)in
Co-investorsKickfundRockstartSwisscom Ventures
Braden Knight(Founder)Kale Rogers(Founder)Luke Schlueter(Founder)Michael Farid(Founder)
Co-investorsDorm RoomFlying Tiger CapitalVU Venture PartnersMaveron
SQUAKE provides carbon calculation and offsetting technology, helping companies address CO₂-related challenges and manage carbon credits.
CleantechClimate TechSaaSTravel & Hospitality
Dan KreibichinPhilipp von Lamezanin
Co-investorsSimon Capitalneosfer GmbHRivus Capital
Startchy is a company associated with a product called Yumbrella, which the page states is launching internationally in the U.S.
Sector Agnostic
Co-investorsLoftyInc CapitalMaersk Growth
Syn2core is a stealth-stage startup building an AI co-pilot for frontline workers in the automotive industry to reduce human errors.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareMobility & TransportationParis, FR
Elise Chen(CEO)inSaman Vafadar(CTO)in
Co-investorsEntrepreneur FirstTranspose Platform Management
Threatray provides a machine-learning-powered malware threat search and analytics engine that enables enterprise security and incident response teams to detect and investigate attacks.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaSSwitzerland, CH
Jonas WagnerinEndre Bangerterin
BoardThomas Dübendorfer(Director)inMathias Wegmüller(Director)
Co-investorsSICTIC
SuperMeat develops cultivated meat products, specifically chicken, using cellular agriculture technology to create animal protein.
BiotechFoodTech
Ido Savir(Founder)Koby Barak(Founder)Shir Friedman(Founder)
Co-investorsAgronomicsBlue Horizon CorporationGood Seed VenturesSeier CapitalStray Dog CapitalUnovis Asset Management+5 more
Voliro builds omnidirectional aerial robots (drones) for inspection, maintenance, and repair at height, including non-destructive testing.
Deep TechHardwareRoboticsZurich, CH
Anurag Sai Vempati(Founder)Marius Fehr(Founder)Mina Kamel(Founder)Thomas Schneider(Founder)Timo Müller(Founder)
Co-investorsAlpana VenturesCherry VenturesnoaUBS
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
8hoursAlayaCloudsquidCreaitorCROWN ProcurementDais GroupEvoralisHAIR & SKINKickbiteknowing01NextBusinessNucaoProofcheckSuperMeatThe Singularity GroupUnknownZuba Technologies
Exits · 2
2 acquisitions · showing 1IMburse AGacq. by Duck Creek Technologies
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesImmitra Bio · eu-startups.com · Jul 22, 2026
Eternal · techfundingnews.com · Mar 19, 2026
Aepsy · luma.com · Nov 2, 2025
Zeeg · htgf.de · Oct 29, 2025
Voliro · eu-startups.com · Jun 16, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Backbone Ventures made?
- Backbone Ventures has 50 tracked investments, 2 of which have exited, including 3 dated in the last 24 months.
- 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 Zürich, CH.
- Does Backbone Ventures lead rounds?
- Yes, Backbone Ventures leads investment rounds.
- Who does Backbone Ventures co-invest with?
- Backbone Ventures most often shares deals with SICTIC, Kickfund, Ziano Ventures, among 45 tracked co-investors.
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 · 2
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.
Unconventional Ventures is an investor focused on backing diverse founders building impact technology companies that are often overlooked by traditional investors.
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 that writes pre-seed checks and is backed by a community of founder and operator LPs.
MPG Fund is an early-stage venture investor backing technology startups.
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.
Colle Capital Partners is an opportunistic, early-stage technology venture fund investing globally across a broad range of technology sectors.
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.