Bynd Venture Capital, a prominent Iberian-focused venture capital firm, has officially launched its third fund, valued at €40 million. The fund has already secured backing from major investors, including Spain’s Fond-ICO fund of funds, Portuguese industrial group Nors, Caixa Capital, along with family offices and private investors from both Spain and Portugal. With a focus on the Iberian Peninsula, Bynd VC aims to accelerate innovation and foster the growth of early-stage technology startups in the region.
Strategic Focus on AI, Software, Consumer Goods, and Sustainability
The new fund will target investments in approximately 40 early-stage startups across several high-growth sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), software, consumer goods, and sustainability technologies. Bynd Venture Capital plans to deploy its capital over a 10-year cycle, with four years of active investment followed by six years dedicated to portfolio consolidation and facilitating successful exits.
Santiago Salazar, Chairman of Bynd VC, emphasized the firm’s deep commitment to the regional innovation ecosystem: “This third fund continues our long-standing mission to empower entrepreneurs and help them scale globally. We’re proud of the network and expertise we’ve developed over the years, which gives us privileged access to the most promising investment opportunities.”
Track Record of Supporting Iberian Tech Startups
Bynd’s new fund builds on its 15 years of experience in the venture capital space, following the firm’s founding in 2015. Over the years, Bynd has supported more than 60 tech startups, positioning itself as a key player in the Iberian venture capital scene. The new fund has already made three investments in early-stage companies: Equall (a Legal Tech company leveraging AI to streamline legal processes), CircuitLeap (focused on integrated circuit design and simulation), and Spot (which uses AI to automate operational processes in large organizations).
Commitment to ESG and Diversity in Tech
In addition to its focus on growth, Bynd Venture Capital is committed to creating a positive global impact through its investment strategy. The firm will track environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics across its portfolio, ensuring that its investments align with sustainable and ethical practices. Furthermore, Bynd is prioritizing startups led by diverse founding teams, reinforcing its commitment to diversity within the tech sector.
Plans for Future Investments and Team Expansion
Francisco Ferreira Pinto, a partner at Bynd, stated that the fund aims to make around 40 investments in the next four years, with half of these going to pre-seed startups and the other half to seed-stage companies. He added that the fund has already attracted new, highly qualified investors, which has led to the expansion of Bynd’s team. “The strong investor confidence in Bynd’s work is reflected in our growing network and capacity to support innovative startups,” Ferreira Pinto said.
Bynd’s Fund III solidifies the firm’s position as a leading venture capital entity in Iberia, offering its portfolio companies access to an extensive network of over 400 partners and 70 active founders. This structure enables Bynd to provide hands-on support and strategic guidance, ensuring startups are well-positioned for long-term success in the global market.
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