Iris Capital

Erik de la Rivière joined Iris Capital in 1998 as Partner and became Managing Partner in 2016, focusing on late-stage and growth investments in France. He has extensive experience in equity investment in the digital economy, with expertise in digital media, software, and web services. Before joining the firm, he led media-sector investments at Worms Bank in Paris, founded and later sold the audiovisual production company Amaya Films to the Lagardère Group, and managed Voltaire Images, which was acquired by France Telecom. He is a graduate of ESCP (Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris).

Julien-David Nitlech joined Iris Capital as Principal in 2013, became Partner in 2016, and Managing Partner in 2019, where he focuses on early-stage investments in France and Germany with an interest in AI, deep tech, and industry 4.0. Before Iris, he launched and grew the European operations of Apperian, a US startup offering a cloud-based mobile application management platform. Earlier in his career he held business development and partnership roles at Orange, contributing to the creation of BuyIn, the Orange and Deutsche Telekom joint venture. He holds master's degrees from École Polytechnique and Telecom ParisTech.

Itziar Estevez is a Partner at Iris Capital who joined the firm in 2019, focusing on late-stage and growth investments in the DACH region and across Europe with an emphasis on B2B software, supply-chain and logistics, deeptech, and industry 4.0. She began her career at BMW working on production lines in Munich and later worked at The Boston Consulting Group in London and Munich on private equity and energy projects. Prior to Iris, she spent a decade as a venture capital investor at Next47 and Siemens Venture Capital, and holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Navarra and an MBA from London Business School.

Nicolas Herschtel joined Iris Capital in 2022, where he focuses on late-stage and growth investments in Europe and leads growth investing in France. He was previously Partner at InfraVia, launching its European growth activity, and Deputy Managing Director at Bpifrance's Large Venture growth fund, where he led digital investments. He has invested in technology companies since 2010, following five years in private equity at Batipart/Covivio, and holds a degree from ESCP Europe.

Thorben Rothe joined Iris Capital in 2018 as Principal and became Partner in 2021, investing in early-stage companies in the DACH region with a focus on software applications, marketplaces, and B2B networks. He previously worked at Capnamic Ventures as a financial analyst and investor, and held operational roles at several startups. He studied at UCLA, the University of Melbourne, and KAIST, and holds a diploma in Business Technology from the Technical University of Munich.

Anaïs Monlong joined Iris Capital in 2023 as a Venture Principal on the early-stage team, focused on French start-ups with an interest in developer and data tools, automation, industry, and proptech. She previously worked at Axa Venture Partners, where she invested and served as a board observer, and also acted as a Python developer for the team's data tools. Earlier she spent three years at HSBC in M&A across Paris and Sydney, and held roles at Barclays, BNP Paribas, and Dassault Systèmes; she holds a master's in Finance and Strategy from Sciences Po Paris and studied at Korea University.

Joined IRIS in 2023 as a venture principal on the early-stage team, focusing on French startups in developer and data tools, automation, industry, and proptech.

Jakob Banhardt joined Iris Capital in 2025 as a Principal on the early-stage team in Berlin, where he works with B2B tech startups across the DACH region with a focus on AI/B2B SaaS, industrial technologies, and energy. He previously worked on the investment team at UVC Partners, supporting founders from pre-seed to Series C, and held an operating role at ESG software company Planetly, where he launched an ESG management SaaS for private equity firms. He holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Munich.

Angus Paterson joined Iris Capital in 2012 as a Venture Partner based in Dubai, supporting companies across the Middle East. He previously set up and led the venture capital activities of the coworking company twofour54, and earlier worked in the ventures division of Ingenious Media and at Genesis Investments, both UK-based media investment firms. He began his TMT career at Arthur Andersen (now Deloitte), where he trained as a Chartered Accountant, and holds a degree in Oriental Studies and Modern Languages from Cambridge University.

Bruno du Breuil joined Iris Capital in 2025 as a Senior Associate on the Paris-based Growth investment team, where he works on deal sourcing and execution across Europe with a focus on France, concentrating on B2B software and fintech. He previously was a Senior Associate at D'Ornano+Co in Paris, advising venture and growth equity firms on transactions and supporting technology companies with strategic initiatives. He graduated from EDHEC Business School and holds a Master's in Business Law from Lille Catholic University.

Carine Micoski joined IRIS in 1991 as Administrative Coordinator and manages facilities, events, and meeting planning while serving as the headquarters office manager. She previously worked in sales departments of communications groups including Carré Noir and DDB, supporting teams with daily operations, prospect management, and coordination. She began her career in Dublin, Ireland before specializing in communications and sales support.

Florence Receveur joined Iris Capital in 1989 and serves as its Administrative and Accounting Coordinator, overseeing daily accounting, corporate investment administration, and the management and archiving of legal documents across the firm's offices. She previously worked in the Communications department of TotalEnergies before moving to its Gas Navigation team. She holds a degree in Business Administration.

François Kergaravat joined Iris Capital's early-stage team in 2021 as a Senior Associate, where he sources and executes investments in the French market with a focus on fintech, entertainment, and SaaS. He previously worked as a Founder Associate at CapCar and in consulting at BearingPoint. He graduated from Sciences Po in 2021 with a focus on Finance & Strategy.

Frédérique Leclerc joined Iris Capital in 2007 as an accountant and now serves as Chief Accountant and Finance Manager. Before Iris, she worked at SGA, a firm specializing in finance and accounting for funds and small and mid-size businesses, while teaching accounting at a Paris school for the visually impaired, and earlier was accounting manager for the Le Framboisier department stores (Le Duff group). She began her career as an accountant at GEF handling French SMBs and industrial companies, and previously ran her own bakery. She holds a degree in management accounting and the French Superior Diploma in Accounting and Management.

Grégoire Kairys joined Iris Capital in 2023 as Regulatory Compliance and Internal Control Officer, where he oversees the deployment and monitoring of European and national financial regulations and builds the firm's compliance and ethics practices. He previously worked at Eurotitrisation on internal controls and compliance, and earlier held compliance roles at SGCIB in Geneva and BNP Paribas. He holds a Master's degree in Business Law and Regulatory Compliance from the University of Strasbourg.

Jane MacDonald joined IRIS in 2005 to support the Managing Partners and now works with the Communications and Events teams, including outreach activity. She previously served as Head of Purchasing for branded clothing at SFADT and as Executive Assistant to the President of Fortis Investments, and earlier founded The American Institute for professional language training and services. She holds a BA in Communications from UMKC (Missouri, USA) and an MBA in International Affairs from CESCI in Paris.

Julien Fontes joined Iris Capital in 2023 as an apprentice and became a full-time employee in September 2025 after completing a two-year apprenticeship. He works in the firm's Accounting department, supporting its financial operations. He holds a degree in Management from ESAM School of Advanced Management and Finance.

Marie Dessaint joined Iris Capital in 2017 as CFO and Compliance Officer, handling the firm's finances, accounting, financial compliance, and finance administration. She was previously Chief Finance and Administration Officer at Actility and earlier led finance, HR, and administration at an online private sales start-up, following twelve years in private equity fund management at Galileo Partners. She holds a master's in Management from Université Paris-Dauphine and a dual master's in International Business and Translation and Interpretation from ISIT.

Marietta Martin joined Iris Capital in 2025 as Sustainability Manager, where she defines and implements the firm's sustainability roadmap, handles sustainability data collection and reporting, and supports portfolio companies on sustainability matters. She previously worked as a sustainability consultant at Reporting 21, advising financial clients on sustainability strategies, impact investing, and EU regulatory requirements, and earlier held management consulting roles serving French public sector bodies. Originally from Germany, she holds a Master's degree in Macroeconomics and International Relations from Sciences Po Paris.

Paul Tardiveau joined Iris Capital in 2025 as an Associate on the late-stage and growth investment team, working on deal sourcing and execution with a focus on software in niche verticals such as healthtech and supply-chain digitalisation. He previously worked as an Analyst on buyout and growth investments at Five Arrows (Rothschild & Co) in London, and held earlier roles at Bryan, Garnier & Co, ENGIE New Ventures, and Crédit Agricole. He holds an MSc in Finance & Accounting from Imperial College London, a Master of Business Law from Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne University, and an MSc in Management from IESEG School of Management.

Pauline Ancona joined Iris Capital in 2026 as a Senior Associate on the early-stage team, where she sources, analyzes, and executes investments in the French market. She previously worked as an investor at Alven on early-stage European deals, and gained experience at Quadrille Capital across growth equity, secondaries, and fund of funds strategies, after starting her career in investment banking at J.P. Morgan. She graduated from ESCP Business School in 2021 following Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles.

Sarah Green joined IRIS in 2024 as Marketing and Community Manager, focusing on the firm's presence and communities through events, content, and knowledge management. She previously worked at XAnge on the Startup Success team supporting its European portfolio, and earlier coordinated partnerships and events for the French market at Qonto. She holds a Master's degree in Business and Innovation from University Paris 1 - Panthéon Sorbonne.

Viktor Stoll joined Iris Capital in 2026 as an Investment Manager on the Munich-based growth investment team, handling deal sourcing and execution across Europe with an emphasis on Germany and a focus on B2B software and cybersecurity. He previously worked as an Investment Manager at Armira on technology and services investments, began his career in investment banking at Bank of America in Frankfurt, and gained experience at Apheon supporting buy-and-build platform investments. He holds a Master's degree in Finance from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.