Berlin-based VC firm Auxxo, which invests solely in female-founded startups, has announced the first close of its Female Catalyst Fund II, raising €26 million towards a €50 million target.
- The Auxxo Female Catalyst fund was established in 2019 by Bettine Schmitz and Dr. Gesa Miczaika. With a strong mission to support and encourage women entrepreneurs, it co-invests in early-stage startups in Europe that have at least one female founder holding a minimum of 20% of the founding shares.
- Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund II plans to support 30 startups, with initial investments ranging from €350,000 to €800,000 for a 3-8% equity stake in each company.
- The firm launched its first fund, Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund I, in 2021 with €19 million in capital. According to Crunchbase, it made 34 investments and recorded one exit, from AI-based learning platform Peer Solutions.
- The firm has already made several investments from its second fund, including climate intelligence startup German Emidat and the UK startups Resolutiion, an AI-powered platform for commercial conflict prevention and resolution, and deeptech company Stanhope AI.
- The European Investment Fund (EIF) joined as a lead investor, along with Aurum Impact, Cherry Ventures, Speedinvest, as well as family offices, business angels, and European founders.
