What stage does Sparking Capital invest at?

Sparking Capital invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.

What is Sparking Capital's typical check size?

Sparking Capital typically writes checks of $324K.

Where is Sparking Capital located?

Sparking Capital is headquartered in Bucharest, RO.

Who does Sparking Capital co-invest with?

Sparking Capital most often shares deals with CommerzVentures, Eleven Ventures, Obvious Ventures, among 3 tracked co-investors.

Sparking Capital

Venture capital

Bucharest · Pre-Seed–Series A · 3 people tracked

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Investment thesis

Sparking Capital is an early-stage fund investing in entrepreneurs distinguished by unique industry insight, vision, passion, courage, and strong execution. The firm works hand-in-hand with founders to accelerate startup growth and help build companies with lasting competitive advantages. While sector agnostic, Sparking Capital focuses on companies where artificial intelligence and machine learning are central to the product and serve as the true engine of a defensible business model, rather than a superficial label.

Invests inAI & Machine Learning Climate Tech Consumer Cybersecurity Enterprise Software Fintech Retail Tech SaaSSector AgnosticBucharest Europe Romania

Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.

Stage

Pre-Seed–Series A

Check

$324K

Bucharest, RO

Instruments

Equity

Founded

2017

Tracked investments

Team · 3 people

from public directories

Cristian Negrutiu· General Partner and Founder· Bucharest, Bucharest, Romaniain

Cristian Negrutiu is General Partner and Founder at Sparking Capital, investing in early-stage startups and working with founders from the earliest stages. After investing, he joins portfolio company boards and takes a hands-on role in strategy, operations, and growth. He holds double degrees in economics and law, an MBA from the University of Sheffield, and a PhD from Bucharest University of Economic Studies, where he also serves as a Lecturer focused on entrepreneurship, investments, AI, and supply chain.

c•••@sparkingcapital.comreveal

Vlad Panait· Managing Partner and Founder· Bucharest, Bucharest, Romaniain

Vlad Panait is the founder and Managing Partner of Sparking Capital, having moved into entrepreneurship after C-level roles at Fortune 500 companies, with over 20 years of international experience in growth and go-to-market strategy across various industries and regions. He holds an MBA and a Diploma in Advanced Management & Leadership, and teaches in two master's programs at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies.

v•••@sparkingcapital.comreveal

Vlad Sarca· Partner· Romaniain

Vlad Sarca is a Partner at Sparking Capital, an equity fund that invests in early-stage (pre-seed and seed) startups. He developed an interest in strategic management during university and later earned a diploma in Strategy and Innovation from Said Business School, University of Oxford.

v•••@sparkingcapital.comreveal

What they invest in

from 3 of 3 portfolio companies

SaaS ×2AI & Machine Learning ×1Consumer ×1Fintech ×1Future of Work ×1InsurTech ×1PropTech ×1Travel & Hospitality ×1

HQs:United States×2

Investments · 3 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

Hedvighedvig.com inMay 2015

Hedvig is an insurance provider offering home, car, pet, and vacation-home coverage that customers manage through a mobile app, where they can change policies, add coverage, and file claims.

ConsumerFintechInsurTechSanta Clara, US

Avinash Lakshman(Executive Officer, Director)Fredrik Fors(Founder)in

BoardAmarjit Gill(Director)Puneet Agarwal(Director)inBrian Long(Director)

Co-investorsCommerzVentures Obvious Ventures True Ventures

Pluriapluria.co in 𝕏

Pluria offers an app that lets companies book workspaces—coworking spaces, meeting rooms, private offices, work cafés, and event spaces—across a network of 1,000+ locations plus their own offices, with tools to coordinate team days and analytics on space usage and team engagement.

Future of WorkPropTechSaaSDover, US

Gabriela Draghia(Founder)

Co-investorsEleven Ventures

Robosizerobosize.me

RobosizeME provides workflow automation for the hospitality industry, using digital co-workers to handle repetitive hotel operational tasks like spreadsheets, checks, and exceptions.

AI & Machine LearningSaaSTravel & Hospitality

Co-investorsBrightCap Investment Advisor AD

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Pluria Investment Round: Capitalizing on the Hybrid Work Boom

Pluria · kolekrinsights.com · Jun 21, 2026

Hedvig promotes car insurance with new campaign

Hedvig · coverager.com · Feb 23, 2026

Frequently asked questions

What stage does Sparking Capital invest at?: Sparking Capital invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
What is Sparking Capital's typical check size?: Sparking Capital typically writes checks of $324K.
What sectors does Sparking Capital focus on?: Sparking Capital focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Climate Tech, Consumer, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Retail Tech, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
Where is Sparking Capital located?: Sparking Capital is headquartered in Bucharest, RO.
Who does Sparking Capital co-invest with?: Sparking Capital most often shares deals with CommerzVentures, Eleven Ventures, Obvious Ventures, among 3 tracked co-investors.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

Cristian Negrutiu – Sparking Capital, banii care schimba România

Mirel Bran RFI · Cristian Negrutiu

Juriul Changeneers 2020: Vlad Panait, Founder Sparking Capital

Impact Hub Bucharest · Vlad Panait

Images

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