Venture Catalysts

About The Fund

Venture Catalysts is an investment fund and accelerator based in Matosinhos, Portugal, that specializes in the development of start-ups with a technological and scientific foundation. Founded in 2010, they are dedicated to enriching the entrepreneurial ecosystem by nurturing visionary researchers and entrepreneurs. They aim to unlock the potential of innovative technologies and facilitate the evolution of new technology-based ventures. Their focus spans a wide array of high-tech industries, including agriculture and food technology, biotechnology, energy and environment, health, materials, and software development. Venture Catalysts supports knowledge-intensive projects and early-stage ventures, especially those that are still lab-based. With a deep understanding of monetary value and a hands-on approach, they guide projects from inception to maturity. They are committed to shaping science into business, and they leverage their passion for learning to accelerate the development process. Authenticity, trust, and humor are core to their values. They emphasize independence, choosing their collaborations wisely, and investing not just capital but also values into projects. Venture Catalysts operates on the principle that authenticity and intrinsic value are more important than mere monetary considerations, fostering long-term relationships and involvement in the ventures they support. Venture Catalysts invests up to 4 million euros in various sectors including Software, IT & TMT, FinTech & Financials services, Retail & E-commerce, Sales & Marketing, IoT & Wearables, AI & Big Data, HealthTech & Fitness, Advertising, AR/VR, and Payments. They team up with scientists and experts to build strong business cases, and they are adept at fundraising and turning concepts into profitable businesses. Despite their myriad activities, they do not involve themselves as venture capital, consultants, or major stakeholders. Instead, they are company builders who focus on propelling the underrepresented and overlooked projects to prominence, often avoiding crowded and overhyped market spaces.