KPN Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of KPN, has invested in the new tech-transfer fund of Armilar Venture Partners, an independent fund manager focused on deep tech investments. The fund aims to find, invest in and help develop companies that aim to commercialize innovations from university research centres.
Armilar Venture Partners can support technology-based companies in different industries and through different stages of maturity, from proof-of-concept to later stages of commercial development. The supported start-ups will often stem from leading European academic and research institutions, including spin-outs, participants of acceleration or incubation programs, and companies founded by former researchers. The Armilar Venture Partners TechTransfer Fund has a target size of €60 million and will build on the firm’s experience and track-record of 19 years investing in start-ups internationally and most particularly in Portugal.
Herman Kienhuis, Director of KPN Ventures: ”Partnerships with tech-transfer funds help expand KPN’s network of potential technology partners. KPN has build-up valuable experience in working with universities, research centres and technology investors, supporting the commercialization of technological innovations. Through the investment in Armilar’s TechTransfer Fund we aim to extend this approach to new geographies, creating more opportunities to partner with innovative technology companies to bring value to KPN customers.”
This is KPN Ventures’ fourth investment in a tech-transfer fund, which focuses on early-stage financing of commercial spin-offs from university research centers. Previously, KPN Ventures invested in Enschede-based Cottonwood Technology Fund, Paris-based PSL Innovation Fund and Leuven-based imec.xpand.
Armilar Venture Partners is Portugal’s leading venture capital funds manager. An independent VC with a 19-year-old history, a high-performance track record and an international footprint, Armilar is a deep-tech investor, investing in ICT, HealthTech and CleanTech with a focus on early-stage technology-based companies. Currently, Armilar has a total of about €260 million under management, with four funds deployed typically as lead investor in seed to early-stage deals in companies in Portugal, Europe and the USA, and its fifth fund launching in 2019. To find out more and to register for news, please go to www.armilar.com.
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