Brussels-based Syndicate One, the prominent angel investment group, announced on Wednesday that it has completed an initial €4.8M close of its debut fund.
A second funding round is planned for 2024, but this initial investment will allow Syndicate One to invest in ambitious early-stage startups in Belgium immediately.
Over 70 investors, including entrepreneurs, families, and institutional investors, supported the round. Syndicate One has also added nine team members, with more to come in 2024.
Sofina, Belgium’s largest holding company with €9B in assets under management, will be the anchor investor for this new fund.
“Consistent with our goal to create sustainable economic value by supporting innovative businesses, we’re happy to partner with Syndicate One. Bringing Belgium’s top tech talent together in one startup ecosystem, will help scale Belgian tech innovation to new heights”, says Giulia Van Waeyenberge from Sofina.
SFPIM, Wallonie Entreprendre, and Finance Brussels, among other institutional investors, joined the ranks.
A significant number of Belgian families and family offices, including Balcaen, Vlerick, Berghmans, De Clerck, Hannecart, Vindevogel, Leysen, Van Thillo, and Rolin, have also contributed to this initial close.
Entrepreneurs investing in this initial close include Jeroen de Wit (Teamleader), Stephane Kurgan (Index Ventures, ex-King), Stijn Christiaens (Collibra), Pieterjan Bouten (Showpad), Martijn Theeuwissen (Datacamp), Sébastien Deletaille (Rosa), Olivier Verdin (AppTweak),
Quentin Nickmans (Hexa), Matthias Geeroms (OTA Insights), Cedric De Vleeschauwer (Alan), Michel Akkermans (ex Clear2Pay), Guillaume van Rijckevorsel (Soil Capital, former Darts-ip), Alexandre Cardon (Dogchef, ex-Qustomer), Sam Heymans (Lizy), Bart Becks (Euractiv), Tim Dierckxsens (Venly).
Since its launch in early 2022, Syndicate One has invested in promising early-stage tech startups in Belgium.
Some startups that have received investment include Techwolf, Aikido, SAPI, Kennek, Sirona Technologies, and others.
Additionally, Syndicate One has been connecting the founders of these startups with successful Belgian entrepreneurs and operators who have previously scaled businesses such as Collibra, Showpad, Qover, and Cowboy.
Syndicate One: Focus on early-stage investments
Syndicate One is an angel investment group making early-stage investments into high-potential Belgium-based and Belgian-founded technology startups.
The company pools founders’ expertise, network, and seed capital to help early Belgian startups reach the next level.
In addition, Syndicate One launched targeted initiatives to strengthen the Belgian tech ecosystem, such as the first standardised convertible note agreement fit for the Belgian market.
In their first two years, Syndicate One has invested in Kennek, Techwolf, Aikido, SAPI, Sirona Technologies, Job Protocol, and other undisclosed companies.
Laurens De Poorter, the founder of Syndicate One, says, “Belgium has everything it takes to be a flourishing tech ecosystem, but we need to work together to make that happen. This new fund adds new stakeholders to our platform built on the union of successful Belgian tech entrepreneurs.”
Poorter continues, “The commitment of these institutional investors, government funds, and family offices allow us to make more and larger investments in Belgian tech startups, extend our network with more professionals who can help our portfolio companies thrive, and push for
systemic change with all the relevant stakeholders.”
Besides the initial close, new members have joined Syndicate One:
- Laurens De Beyter (N26)
- Pierrine Carlier (ex-Proxyclic, Javry)
- Sibylle Greindl (ex-Accountable)
- Martin Schmitz (DataCamp)
- Dieter Wachters (ex-Collibra, Raito)
- Pauline Brunel (Blackfin)
- Nicolas Vereecke (Bitcraft)
- Cedric Cops (Mediahuis Ventures)
- Tiny De Waele (Deliverect)
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