Berlin Β· Pre-SeedβSeries A
Investment thesis
Join Capital invests at the early stage in deep tech companies aiming to create lasting strategic strongholds rather than chasing hype. Its focus areas span defence (surveillance, intelligence, digital twins, space security), space and aerospace (reusable spacecraft, satellites, propulsion), enterprise technology (quantum and advanced computing, AI-driven cybersecurity and workplace safety), and industrial applications (advanced materials, photonics, advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems and robotics). The firm emphasizes staying close to founders and backing companies that can lead, scale, and endure while tackling difficult, foundational problems, with an orientation toward strengthening Europe's technological and security position.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
What they invest in
from 15 of 18 portfolio companiesDeep Tech Γ10Hardware Γ10AI & Machine Learning Γ5SaaS Γ4Defense Tech Γ3Semiconductors Γ3Space Tech Γ3Enterprise Software Γ2
HQs:GermanyΓ3DenmarkΓ1SpainΓ1NetherlandsΓ1United StatesΓ1
Investments Β· 18 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 Β· 32024 Β· 12023 Β· 15 dated
Quadsat develops modular radio-frequency sensing and electronic warfare payloads (such as SpectraLoc) that integrate into UAV platforms for RF signal detection and emitter geolocation, along with spectrum operations software.
Deep TechDefense TechHardwareSpace TechOdense, DK
Co-investorsSeraphim SpaceIQ CapitalExport and Investment Fund
2D Photonics develops graphene-integrated photonics technology for optical transceivers and interconnects used in data-intensive applications such as generative AI workloads.
Deep TechSemiconductors
Co-investorsBosch VenturesIndaco Venture PartnersRobert Bosch Venture CapitalSony Ventures CorporationCDP Venture Capital
Calvin Risk offers an AI governance and testing platform that gives enterprises an inventory of their AI systems, automated testing, digitized risk questionnaires, and compliance tools including support for the EU AI Act.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Co-investorsb2ventureFounders FactoryKickstart InnovationSeed+Speed
enclaive provides a multi-cloud platform for Confidential Computing, using hardware-based Trusted Execution Environments to keep applications, databases, and AI workloads encrypted in use so that only the customer holds the keys.
Cloud ComputingCybersecurityData & InfrastructureDeep Tech
Gajek
Co-investorsF-Technologies
Frenetic develops software for designing and optimizing magnetic components used in power electronics, using an AI-based modeling approach to replace traditional engineering methods.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareSaaSMadrid, ES
Chema Molina, PhD(Founder)in
Co-investors42CAPKibo Ventures
German Bionic develops wearable exoskeletons and smart power suits that use AI to assist workers with heavy lifting, prevent posture injuries, and improve workplace safety.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareRoboticsBerlin, DE
Co-investorsAtlanticSamsung Catalyst FundStorm VenturesBayern KapitalBenhamou Global VenturesEuropean Investment Bank
Hyperpilot offers a platform of three AI engines that take a controls-engineering project from high-level requirements through executable test suites to production-grade control software.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDeveloper Tools
Alexey(Co-founder)inElie(Co-founder)
Co-investorsOctopus VenturesTiny Supercomputer Investment Company
IPRally is an AI-native patent search platform that uses proprietary Graph AI to perform patent searches, review, monitoring, and portfolio analysis.
AI & Machine LearningLegalTechSaaS
Co-investorsEndeit CapitalIcebreakerSpintop Ventures
ISPTech develops propulsion systems for spacecraft in the NewSpace sector, using non-toxic propellants, standard parts, and additive manufacturing to lower cost.
Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech
Lukas Werling(Founder)in
Co-investorsFaberFaber Capital SCR SAFinal Frontier (Space & Defence VC)First Momentum
Kreios Space develops a propulsion system for satellites operating in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), using air and solar power without onboard fuel tanks to sustain continuous operations and counter atmospheric drag.
Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech
Co-investorsGrow Venture Partners
Optics11 develops fiber-optic sensing systems designed for harsh operating environments, providing ultra-sensitive, low-power monitoring of temperature, pressure, strain, and vibration.
Deep TechDefense TechHardwareAmsterdam, NL
Grzegorz(Technical leadership (Optics11))inHanneke(Chief People Officer)inDaniel(Leadership (underwater security))in
Co-investorsFORWARD.oneSET VenturesValue Creation Capital
PhotonPath designs proprietary photonic integrated circuits and ultra-compact optical modules for high-capacity optical networks, AI data centers, and industrial sensing applications.
Deep TechHardwareSemiconductors
Co-investors360 CapitalLevante Capital
Semron develops 3D CapRAM, a semiconductor technology that performs computing inside 3D flash memory by stacking many layers on silicon, aimed at meeting the compute demands of AI workloads.
Deep TechHardwareSemiconductors
Co-investorsOTB VenturesSquareOneOnsight Ventures
Thyra develops counter-drone (C-UAS) systems, including an interceptor drone and launch station used to detect and neutralize drone threats.
Defense TechHardwareRobotics
Brooklyn, US
Shih-pei Chen(Executive Officer, Director)Frank Zheng(Executive Officer, Director)Chia-an Chan(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsCaixa Capital
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesKreios Space Β· techtimes.com Β· Aug 4, 2026
Thyra Β· altss.com Β· Jul 8, 2026
2D Photonics Β· finance.yahoo.com Β· Apr 16, 2026
ISPTech Β· spacenews.com Β· Mar 17, 2026
Hyperpilot Β· tech.eu Β· Dec 4, 2025
German Bionic Β· xpert.digital Β· Nov 20, 2025
Optics11 Β· optics11life.com Β· Sep 30, 2025
Quadsat Β· satellitetoday.com Β· Jul 18, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Join Capital made?
- Join Capital has 10 tracked investments, including 3 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Join Capital invest at?
- Join Capital invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Join Capital's typical check size?
- Join Capital typically writes checks of $1.1M β $5.5M.
- What sectors does Join Capital focus on?
- Join Capital focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AI & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Enterprise Software, Hardware, New Materials, Quantum Computing, Robotics, Space Tech.
- Where is Join Capital located?
- Join Capital is headquartered in Berlin, DE.
- Does Join Capital lead rounds?
- Yes, Join Capital leads investment rounds.
- Who does Join Capital co-invest with?
- Join Capital most often shares deals with 360 Capital, Faber, First Momentum, among 8 tracked co-investors.
Media Β· Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamSmau Berlino 2016 | Interview with Jan Borgstaedt, of Join Capital
smau Β· Jan Borgstaedt
Co-investors Β· 8
360 Capital is a European venture capital firm active since 1997, investing in innovative technology startups across deep-tech, climate-tech and digital sectors.
CDP Venture Capital SGR is an Italian venture capital fund manager that invests in strategic sectors for Italy's economic growth through direct and indirect funds. It is Italy's leading VC fund manager and among the largest in Europe.
EQT Ventures is the venture capital arm within the EQT platform, backing early-stage European founders building what it calls Generation-Defining Companies.
L Catterton Growth is the growth investing arm of L Catterton, a consumer-focused private equity group that has made over 300 investments in consumer brands since 1989. The firm manages roughly $40 billion and backs middle-market companies and emerging high-growth consumer businesses; this unit is listed with a London office.
Episode 1 is a UK venture firm that invests in Pre-Seed and Seed B2B software companies, aiming to help them reach a successful Series A.
Capnamic is an early-stage venture capital firm that backs entrepreneurs from pre-product through first revenues, providing capital along with network, experience and guidance to help teams become category leaders.
Motive Partners is an investment firm focused on financial technology, backing technology, data, and service providers across the financial services sector.
Target Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in entrepreneurs across various stages and geographies. The firm emphasizes operational support and industry connections alongside capital deployment.
Firms observed investing alongside Join Capital, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Join Capital's recorded portfolio.
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