€20 Million Backing for Early-Stage Tech
Enzo Ventures, a venture capital firm co-founded by Catalans Edgar Vicente and Iván Fernández Lucas, has launched Enzo II, a €20 million pre-seed fund to finance nascent technology startups. The fund, managed from Barcelona and Madrid, will target "exceptional founders from Southern Europe" specialising in artificial intelligence, B2B software, and automation. Initial investments will range from €250,000 to €600,000, with the aim of becoming one of the first institutional backers for tech entrepreneurs, regardless of where they establish their companies.
Funding Already Deployed
The fund is already active, having completed its first three investments in startups based in London, Madrid, and Zurich. The London-based company, Cori Clinical, is a health tech firm led by Catalan founder Patricio Fernández. Two further portfolio companies remain undisclosed. This marks a continuation of the strategy first implemented in 2023 through Enzo I, which invested in 28 startups across nine countries. Notable successes include Orbio, a Barcelona AI firm in human resources that raised over $28 million, and Murphy, another Barcelona startup that secured $15 million for debt automation.
Speed and Founder Focus
Enzo Ventures differentiates itself by having Vicente and Fernández Lucas make investment decisions directly, bypassing traditional committee evaluations to close deals within days. Alongside capital, the firm provides founders with access to an international network of mentors and executives to support client acquisition, hiring, and future fundraising in Europe and the US. The firm’s strategy remains unchanged: to continue backing high-potential founders early, with greater capital and a stronger support platform. As Vicente stated, the new generation of Southern European founders is "more ambitious, more technical, and much more global from day one."
Investor Base and Vision
Enzo Ventures II is backed by a mix of Spanish, European, and Latin American entrepreneurs, family offices, and public figures, including television presenter David Broncano. The fund’s focus remains on talent, aiming to be the first institutional supporter for emerging tech founders before they gain broader market attention.
Reported by cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, cincodias.elpais.com, elEconomista.es Madrid, Crónica Global (CA), ZonaIT, Crónica Global.
