identity.vc Launches Europe’s First LGBTQ+ Venture Fund
Guest post by Til Klein, Founding Partner at identity.vc.
Guest post by Til Klein, Founding Partner at identity.vc.
identity.vc is proud to announce the first closing of Europe’s first LGBTQ+ venture capital fund, dedicated to backing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. With a target fund size of €50 million, identity.vc aims to invest in early-stage startups led by LGBTQ+ founders in Europe and beyond.
Backing LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs
identity.vc invests in early-stage startups with LGBTQ+ representation at the founder or C-level, targeting pre-seed to Series A companies along global megatrends. While the primary focus is on Europe, the fund also considers opportunities beyond. The Art. 9 SFDR social impact fund has already made four investments, including Berlin-based Frontnow, which offers an AI solution for online retailers, and London-based Omni, which provides healthy vegan dog food.
Innovation Through Diversity
The investment thesis of identity.vc is grounded in the conviction that diversity drives performance. The LGBTQ+ community has a rich history of reshaping creative industries such as fashion, design, and entertainment. identity.vc aims to unlock this potential within the broader business world. Multiple studies have shown that diverse teams not only innovate more effectively but also achieve better financial results. Founding partner Til Klein comments: “Diversity is an attractive investment case. Numerous studies show that diverse teams perform better.”
A Proven Concept Arrives in Europe
While LGBTQ+ investing is well-established in the US, identity.vc is leading the charge to bring this concept to Europe. The market potential is substantial, with an estimated 15% of startups having an LGBTQ+ co-founder, highlighting the untapped opportunity for growth and innovation. Founding partner Jochen Beutgen says: “I have seen how big and successful LGBTQ+ investing is in the US. I am convinced that the potential in Europe is at least as huge.”
Experienced Leadership Team
identity.vc is led by a diverse team with extensive operational and investment experience. Founding partner Til Klein (Zurich), a former BCG partner, UBS banker, and FinTech founder, brings deep strategic and operational expertise. Founding partner Jochen Beutgen (Berlin) offers a 20-year track record as a family office investor in venture capital, providing significant investment expertise and network connections. Principal Mari Luukkainen (Helsinki), an ex-growth operator and investor at Icebreaker.vc, a leading early-stage investor in the Nordics, adds substantial operational and investment insight.
Making a Difference in the European Startup Landscape
identity.vc is set to transform the European venture capital landscape. By empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, identity.vc aims to make a meaningful impact on the European startup ecosystem, driving innovation and performance through diversity.
For more information, please visit our website at www.identity.vc or contact us at til@identity.vc.
About identity.vc
identity.vc is Europe's first venture capital impact fund backing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. The €50 million impact fund (Art. 9 SFDR) invests in startups with LGBTQ+ representation in the leadership team, targeting early-stage companies across all sectors from pre-seed to Series A in Europe and beyond. identity.vc was founded by Til Klein (Zurich), a former BCG partner and FinTech founder, together with Jochen Beutgen (Berlin), a family office investor with a 20-year track record in venture capital. Mari Luukkainen (Helsinki) joined as a Principal, adding experience as an ex-growth operator and an investor at Icebreaker.vc.
