Can you give us a brief overview of eCAPITAL – who are you, and what drives you?
eCAPITAL is a venture capital firm based in Germany, established in 1999. We specialize in providing early to growth-stage funding to technology companies, with a focus on sectors like software & IT, cybersecurity, new materials, and cleantech. A common thread across these areas is their deep technological foundation – we invest specifically in DeepTech innovations that require technical excellence and long-term vision. Currently, we’re investing from our fifth fund generation, which has a fund volume of € 162 million, bringing our total assets under management to over € 400 million. Examples of investments from this current fund are 1KOMMA5° and Dryad – two companies that demonstrate our focus on high-impact technologies. 1KOMMA5° is building a fully integrated energy platform for carbon-neutral living, connecting solar, battery, heat pump, and EV solutions in a seamless ecosystem. Dryad is tackling the global wildfire crisis through ultra-early detection using a proprietary network of solar-powered environmental sensors. Both companies are not only technologically outstanding – they’re also addressing urgent global challenges and creating measurable environmental and societal value. And that’s also what drives us – the belief that technology, when guided and supported effectively, can solve some of the most pressing challenges of our time, which is why we’re committed to being at the forefront of this transformation, partnering with visionary entrepreneurs to build the backbone of tomorrow’s tech.What industries or verticals do you focus on, and how do you select the companies you invest in?
We focus on Deeptech verticals where complexity meets high impact: cybersecurity, enterprise software, sustainability and climate tech, industrial technologies, and advanced materials. Personally, I concentrate on B2B software, AI, and cybersecurity startups – particularly those that move beyond single-product offerings and instead create infrastructure layers or interconnected ecosystems of services. These are the types of businesses that have the potential to become foundational in their industries. When evaluating investment opportunities, we pay close attention to the technical moat of the product, the scale of the problem being solved, and the ambition and capability of the founding team. We’re looking for entrepreneurs who think long-term, are deeply committed to their mission, and are open to being challenged.What does a typical collaboration with eCAPITAL look like?
Our sweet spot lies in the early stages – typically between late seed and Series A – where we can shape the journey together from a relatively early point. Our initial ticket sizes generally range between € 2 and € 6 million, with the ability to increase our total investment per company significantly in follow-on rounds. Our goal is to be a dependable long-term partner, supporting founders from the early growth phase through to successful scaling and eventual exit. After an investment, we don’t operate as passive investors. We provide sparring and strategic guidance on topics such as go-to-market strategy, international expansion, and organizational development. We’re often closely involved when it comes to building out leadership teams, helping recruit C-level and senior management talent, or navigating inflection points in growth. Founders regularly tell us they appreciate our mix of clear strategic guidance and hands-on support, and we take that as a great compliment.Can you share some success stories from your current and former portfolio?
Certainly. As already mentioned previously, 1KOMMA5° is a cleantech company on a mission to accelerate the energy transition in Europe by transforming buildings into decentralized powerhouses. Their approach integrates solar, battery, heat pump, and EV technologies into a seamless platform, making climate-neutral living both accessible and scalable. What’s remarkable is the pace of their development: within an extremely short period, they’ve achieved unicorn status – a rare feat, especially in the energy space. Their ability to combine strong technology with rapid market adoption is a testament to the strength of the team and the urgency of their mission. On the cybersecurity front, an excellent example is QuoIntelligence, a cybersecurity company specializing in threat intelligence. We led their € 5 million seed round, recognizing their unique approach that combines AI with human expertise to provide tailored threat intelligence services. Their recent growth trajectory has been impressive, and they now serve public and private clients across Europe. An example of our former portfolio is sonnen, a company that developed innovative energy storage solutions. Our early investment and support were instrumental in their development, leading to a successful acquisition by Shell in 2019. These cases exemplify our commitment to backing companies that not only have strong technological capabilities but also address pressing global challenges.What sets eCAPITAL apart from other venture capital firms?
There are a few key aspects that distinguish eCAPITAL. First, our longevity: we’ve been active in the venture capital space for over 25 years, and that continuity has allowed us to build lasting relationships, develop deep sector expertise, and truly understand the cycles of building companies from scratch. Founders often tell us they value the experience and perspective that comes with that. Second, our network is a real asset. Through our Venture Partner program, we work closely with former founders, seasoned executives, and technical experts who act as trusted advisors to us and our portfolio companies. These are people who’ve built, scaled, and exited companies themselves – and they bring that real-world wisdom to every discussion. And third, it’s the way we work with founders. We’re not here to micromanage, but we do believe in being involved. Our style is collaborative, direct, and constructive – we challenge where needed, support where we can, and ultimately aim to create the kind of relationship where founders feel we’re fully aligned with their success.Who should approach you regarding an investment?
We’re always looking to meet European founders who are working on ambitious projects in DeepTech, sustainability, software, or cybersecurity – ideally at the seed or series A stage. If you’re building something in these spaces and think our experience, network, and approach could help accelerate your vision, we’d love to connect. A warm introduction through our network is often the best way in, but we also welcome direct outreach from founders who are clear about their mission and how we might work together.To learn more about eCAPITAL, you can visit www.ecapital.vc
