A New Era in Angel Investment Platforms
Roundtable, a French startup that operates an angel investment platform for European startups, has secured a significant funding round of $3.2 million (€3 million) from a group of 100 business angels. This milestone achievement marks a new era in the world of angel investment platforms, which have been gaining popularity over the years.
How Roundtable Works
Backed by eFounders, Roundtable simplifies the administrative, legal, and financial processes involved with startup investments. The platform enables investors to focus on what they do best – evaluating and investing in promising startups. By leveraging a network of experienced angels, Roundtable facilitates group investments, making it easier for startups to raise capital.
A Growing Trend
AngelList, a well-known investment platform, popularized the concept of group investments with AngelList Syndicates. Essentially, an angel investor brings an investment opportunity to the platform, and other angels can follow the lead angel on a deal-by-deal basis. This model has been successful in attracting numerous investors and startups alike.
Other Players in the Market
While Roundtable is not the only player in this space, it has carved out a niche for itself by focusing exclusively on European startups. In fact, the platform seems to work particularly well for startups based in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. When investors want to buy shares in a startup, Roundtable sets up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) based in France or Luxembourg.
Fees Structure
The platform currently charges 1% of the amount raised by the vehicle, with a minimum of €5,000 and a maximum of €15,000. Additionally, there are some fees involved with secondary sales. So far, Roundtable has handled over 100 deals, representing €50 million in assets under administration.
Influential Angels on Board
Some of the most active angels on the platform include Roxanne Varza, who created a community of female business angels; Pieter-Jan Bouten in the Belgian tech ecosystem; Christopher Zemina in the Germany/Austria region; Aircall co-founder Olivier Pailhes in Spain; and Paul Lê. Many of these influential angels have invested in Roundtable itself.
Successful Exit
There has already been one exit for a Roundtable investment: Space tug startup Launcher was acquired by Vast last month. This achievement is a testament to the success of the platform and its ability to facilitate meaningful investments.
A Bright Future Ahead
While this funding round may not be the largest of the year, it’s clear that Roundtable will continue to play a significant role in the world of startup investment. As more startups and investors become aware of the platform, we can expect to see even more growth and success in the future.
Romain Dillet: A Leading Voice on European Tech
As Senior Reporter at TechCrunch, Romain Dillet has written extensively on technology and tech startups. With over 12 years of experience covering Silicon Valley and the tech industry, he’s established himself as an influential voice on the European tech scene.
A Brief Look at Romain’s Background
Romain started his career at TechCrunch when he was just 21. Based in Paris, he’s covered some of the biggest stories in the tech world. His expertise spans a wide range of topics, from AI and robotics to fintech and blockchain.
Stay Up-to-Date with TechCrunch
Want to stay informed about the latest developments in startup investment? Subscribe to our newsletters, including TechCrunch Daily News, TechCrunch AI, TechCrunch Space, and Startups Weekly. Our expert journalists will keep you ahead of the curve on all things tech.
Related Stories
- Mark Cuban is ready to fund a TikTok alternative built on Bluesky’s AT Protocol
- Mistral signs deal with AFP to offer up-to-date answers in Le Chat
- Prepaid payments platform Recharge raises €45M to go on M&A spree
More News from TechCrunch
- Failed fintech startup Bench racked up over $65 million in debt, documents reveal
- Goldman Sachs’ David Solomon tells startups to reconsider going public