Tallinn · Pre-Seed–Seed · 9 people tracked
Investment thesis
Startup Wise Guys backs early-stage B2B startups, aiming to be the first international check for overlooked founders in emerging markets, particularly across CEE and CIS regions. Through vertical-focused accelerator programs, it provides funding, tailored mentorship, and access to an international community spanning five continents, helping founders reach product-market fit, scale MRR, and gain easier access to future international fundraising. Since 2012, the firm has run 45+ programs and supported over 800 founders from more than 60 countries, with portfolio companies achieving multiple exits and significant follow-on funding.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 9 people
from the firm's website & curated & public directories
Founder mafia
4 people who came through Startup Wise Guys went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 8 of 18 portfolio companiesSaaS ×6AI & Machine Learning ×5Cybersecurity ×4Enterprise Software ×3Advanced Manufacturing ×1AgTech ×1Climate Tech ×1Cloud Computing ×1
HQs:Estonia×1Italy×1Lithuania×1United States×1
Portfolio companies · 18 tracked
alumni founders can tell you what the program is really likeBy year:2025 · 12023 · 12 dated
CyLock is an Italian cybersecurity company specializing in vulnerability assessment, with a patented software called EVA that uses in-house AI to detect vulnerabilities in corporate systems while reducing assessment time.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecuritySaaS
Co-investorsLazio InnovaKickstart InnovationLVenture Group
LetsData develops Vantage, a platform for detecting coordinated disinformation and information operations by monitoring the infrastructure and machinery behind narratives rather than just keywords or content.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityDefense TechGovTech
Ksenia Iliuk(Co-founder)Andriy Kusyy(Co-founder)in
Co-investors1991 VenturesSMOK VenturesTilia Impact VenturesWayraTilia Impact Partners
Hi-tech software for decision-making process management using scientific approaches and advanced algorithms to improve decision quality.
CallPage is a lead generation platform that captures visitor information through widgets embedded on websites, facilitating phone calls and connections between businesses and prospects.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechSaaSSales Tech
Co-investorsbValue Venture CapitalMarket One Capital
Aims to improve real estate development through collaboration.
Formaloo is a no-code platform for building AI-powered forms, smart documents, e-signatures, client/employee portals, and automated approval workflows with a built-in relational database and analytics dashboards.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Farokh Shahabi(Founder)inNoosh Baratpour(Founder)in
Co-investorsChange VenturesExpert DOJOHyde Park Venture PartnersMana Ventures
Online manufacturing marketplace for metalwork.
Katana provides a cloud inventory platform with built-in inventory, production, and reporting features for end-to-end inventory management aimed at modern manufacturing and product businesses.
Advanced ManufacturingCloud ComputingLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSTallinn, EE
Priit Kaasik(Founder)Kristjan Vilosius(Co-CEO & Founder)Hannes Kert(Chief Customer Officer & Founder)Ben Hussey(Co-CEO)Riikka Söderlund(Chief Operating Officer & CMO)Andres Aava(VP of Data & AI)
Co-investors42CAPCogito Capital PartnersNorthzoneAtomico
Tax compliance platform providing a one-stop-shop for VAT calculation and payment in 57 countries for e-commerce companies selling globally.
AI orchestration platform (Dot) that integrates multiple AI models and business tools like ERP, CRM, and CMS into existing workflows.
Security software and dashboard for IT risk managers to verify configurations, detect changes, and get notified of security compliance violations for business devices.
Ondato is a technology company providing KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML compliance tools for businesses, covering the full compliance lifecycle from client onboarding to ongoing client monitoring.
CybersecurityFintechSaaSVilnius, LT
Liudas(Co-founder)inAndrej(Co-founder)
Co-investorsBalnord Sp. z o.o.FirstpickOTB VenturesSmart Partnership Capital
SenseGrass develops geospatial AI tools for agriculture, environment, and urban planning sectors to support sustainability and conservation through data-driven analysis.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningClimate TechIoTSan Mateo, US
Co-investorsEntrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA)TechstarsTribes VenturesSVG Ventures | THRIVE
Process documentation tool; acquired by UiPath in 2019.
Theodosian provides data-centric security that encrypts files and applies dynamic access controls directly to the content rather than the network perimeter, keeping data protected even after it leaves corporate boundaries or when credentials are compromised.
CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Co-investors1818 Venture CapitalD11ZHeartfelt CapitalFuel Ventures
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesKatana · kanaandkatana.com · Aug 1, 2026
Theodosian · fintech.global · Oct 17, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Startup Wise Guys made?
- Startup Wise Guys has 14 tracked investments.
- What stage does Startup Wise Guys invest at?
- Startup Wise Guys invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What is Startup Wise Guys's typical check size?
- Startup Wise Guys typically writes checks of $100K – $500K.
- What sectors does Startup Wise Guys focus on?
- Startup Wise Guys focuses on Crypto & Web3, Cybersecurity, Defense Tech, Enterprise Software, Fintech, PropTech, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Startup Wise Guys located?
- Startup Wise Guys is headquartered in Tallinn, EE.
- Does Startup Wise Guys lead rounds?
- Startup Wise Guys typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does Startup Wise Guys co-invest with?
- Startup Wise Guys most often shares deals with 42CAP, Northzone, OTB Ventures, among 16 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamExploring Startup Dynamics: Insights from Alexandra Balkova, Head of Portfolio at Startup Wise Guys
Nordic Fintech Magazine · Alexandra Balkova
Value Is the New Currency | Alexandra Balkova, Startup Wise Guys | BRP #104
The Business Room · Alexandra Balkova
Global accelerator funds for passionate B2B startup founders | Cristobal Alonso - Startup Wise Guys
Tekpon · Cristobal Alonso
ECSOSTARtupAward | 🎙 Cristobal Alonso, Chief Executive Officer at Startup Wise Guys
Cyberzaintza · Cristobal Alonso
#112 The Memo: Startup Wise Guys, Cristobal Alonso - Fractory
The European VC · Cristobal Alonso
#84 The memo: Startup Wise Guys, Cristobal Alonso
The European VC · Cristobal Alonso
Images
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