After launching a €100M fund, Dutch-based LUMO Labs appoints two new investors to expand in these countries

Eindhoven-based LUMO Labs, the Dutch fund manager behind impact-driven investment funds in emerging technologies, has appointed Linn-Cecilie Linneman and Jorge Blasco as new team members in Norway and Spain, respectively, ensuring local representation in these strategic regions.

This development follows the launch of their €100M investment fund, aimed at commercialising emerging digital technologies for a greener society.

While focusing on early-stage startups in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia, and the Baltic States, the fund remains open to opportunities from other parts of Europe.

In the next 4 to 5 years, LUMO Labs claims to invest in approximately 34 to 35 impact-driven startups across Europe.

New strategic appointments

LUMO Labs has appointed Linn-Cecilie Linneman and Jorge Blasco as partners for Norway and Spain, where they will join the core team, focusing on investments, portfolio management, and fundraising.

Linn-Cecilie Linneman says, “What I appreciate most about our team at LUMO is the commitment and determination to get things done, think big and have an impact. We all have in-depth knowledge of the markets and ecosystems in which we operate.”

“Over the past few years, as CEO of Katapult and in other capacities, I have met numerous founders and worked closely with many of them. Good funding and support are and will always be indispensable.”

Linn-Cecilie Linnemann is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with over 20 years of experience. Former CEO of Katapult Group and co-founder of SHE Conference, she has also founded and exited a communication agency, worked in venture capital, and invested in early-stage companies. She serves as a board member and advisor in the climate and edtech sectors.

Jorge Blasco adds, “My first introduction to LUMO Labs started as an informal conversation in Valencia over a busy investor dinner. This quickly turned into an in-depth discussion about shared visions from different perspectives, about technology, the impact of venture capital and the (untapped) economic and impact potential of Spanish startups.”

“The strategic insight and in-depth market knowledge at LUMO is invaluable and unique. It allows us to identify investments with very high potential. The global network of the entire team provides important access to different sectors, which undeniably benefits the portfolio companies.”

Blasco is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with over 25 years of experience. He exited his first venture, Boutique Secret, to Bertelsmann and has invested in 20+ high-tech startups, including Glovo and Chicfy. 

He advises on fundraising and M&A through The Net Street and has held CEO roles and board positions. Blasco also mentors and lectures at ESADE Business School on entrepreneurship and corporate strategy.

Founding partners Andy Lürling and Sven Bakkes will continue their involvement in investments and guiding startups across Europe. 

Additionally, partners Dagmar van Ravenswaay Claasen, Sabine Schoorl, and Thomas Hannes, who joined recently, will remain actively engaged.

Andy Lürling, co-founder of LUMO Labs, says, “By expanding our team with Linn-Cecilie and Jorge, we are able to consolidate our presence in Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia and the Baltic States. It has always been important for Sven and for me as investors to be well-informed about developments beyond our national borders. This enables us and the rest of the team to recognise trends and select the most progressive startups.”

“That is why we have been involved with various foreign events, panels and juries such as Slush, TechBBQ, Latitude, 4YFN and Valencia Digital Summit with various people from our team since the beginning of LUMO Labs.” adds co-founder Bakkes.

“Linn-Cecilie and Jorge both have a very interesting track record, experience and network, both regionally and in terms of content, which are invaluable to our own team and portfolio. The fact that we are also aligned in terms of vision, drive and approach makes them the ideal partners for us to take this step.”

LUMO Labs: Everything you need to know

Founded by Andy Lürling and Sven Bakkes in 2016, LUMO Labs transitioned from angel investing to managing its first fund in 2020 before introducing the LUMO Rise Fund. It is recognised for its diversity, equity, inclusion profile and active involvement in the Dutch startup ecosystem. 

The firm’s LUMO Rise Fund is a €100M multi-stage VC fund focusing on impact-driven startups from Pre-Seed to Series A. It offers a coaching programme for founders aiming to address social and environmental challenges through technological innovations. 

The fund targets scalable, financially sustainable systems and platforms related to emerging technologies like AI, Blockchain, IoT, Digital Security, and Extended Realities (AR/VR).

The LUMO Rise Fund is the successor to LUMO Fund II. It invests in impact-driven startups across Europe, focusing on Benelux and Germany, and a secondary focus on the Nordics, Baltics, and the Iberian Peninsula.