A brand new wave of Solo GP VCs is coming to Europe and Hypernova hopes to energy it • TechCrunch

The US has had solo VC fund managers for a few years however the development is simply simply beginning to catch on in Europe. One of many latest is Underline Ventures, began this 12 months by Bogdan Iordache in Romania. His profession trajectory in direction of being a Solo GP suits the profile: a former entrepreneur, a key participant within the Japanese European tech scene, a founding father of the The right way to Internet convention, and a former VC in a a number of Accomplice crew.

Above all, what Europe wants extra of is these ‘funds of funds’ that are specialised in working with this new wave of European Solo GPs.

Hypernova, a $25m fund which soft-launched in June has been based by skilled investor Tugce Ergul. She plans to not solely spend money on different funds but in addition instantly into startups. Ergul was previously with Angel Labs, an “investor accelerator”, which unfold throughout 44 nations.

Chatting with TechCrunch, Ergel mentioned: “There’s a brand new wave of funds developing. We’re speaking about profitable founders that are actually beginning their very own funds to spend money on new entrepreneurs. There are companions leaving their former funds beginning their very own funds, as a result of now it’s simpler and cheaper than ever to start out a fund. And there’s extra assist for solo capitalists.”

So how does it work? Hypernova places 40% of its fund into Solo GP funds, and the remaining instantly into startups, with 50% within the US and 50% in Europe.

Ticket sizes shall be $500k-750k into these Solo GPs who’re elevating their first fund, and Hypernova will intention not only for financiers however probably journalists, angel buyers, former entrepreneurs, or Associates / Companions spinning out of their earlier VC fund.

Hypernova affords new GPs assist on the fund administration aspect, the tech wanted, LP introductions, branding assist, and coinvestment alternatives

Ergel added that previously no LP would give Solo VCs any cash: “Now there’s a there’s a brand new world on the market you could find LP cash in case you’re only one individual and a solo GP. Beginning funds has turn into cheaper. You may arrange a fund for $10,000 and your fund admin prices are actually low. So it’s simply making the entry which far more simple for these fund managers. So we wish to again these fund managers. Then that’s the place the hybrid play comes into place as a result of the opposite half of the fund is a direct funding car. And we are going to both co make investments with these funds that we spend money on, or we’re going to spend money on the comply with on rounds into the winners of those fund managers.”

For its direct investments, Hypernova plans to give attention to automation, retail, finance, logistics, transportation and transport, with $250k-500k ticket sizes, and it received’t take board seats.

Hypernova is claiming to be the primary female-led solo GP fund in Europe and the primary female-led solo GP fund-of-funds within the US

Since its gentle launch in June Hypernova says it has:

– Invested in an early stage infrastructure fund based mostly out of San Francisco
– A London based mostly fund managing athletes’ cash
– A Berlin based mostly, solo GP fund
– LA-based deeptech fund
– San Francisco based mostly fund investing in LP secondaries (Fund II).
– Invested instantly in a hydrogen market based mostly out of San Francisco
– DevOps for carbon elimination corporations based mostly out of Berlin
– Cohort based mostly studying and expertise platform based mostly out of London referred to as Neol
– a Micro-fulfillment platform to optimize the final mile

It now plans to open an workplace in London and rent a London based mostly associate as of January 2023.

And it’s launching an LP variety and inclusion program to get new buyers into the fund-investing sport the place they might co-invest with with very small quantities.

“I’m a solo enterprise capitalist myself,” Ergel added. And that’s additionally one of many new issues for the markets. I began this as a result of I skilled so many difficulties and points myself being a solo GP. If I had began this within the US as a pure US targeted American fund, I’d have closed it in six months. However as a result of I needed to do one thing that’s bridging US and Europe it took loads longer.”