Wind, a European emerging VC founded and backed by successful businessmen, announced the launch a new Article 9 Fund. The EUR130 million fund exceeded expectations and reached EUR90 million during its first closing. The fund will finance sustainable Deeptech startups in the Seed/Series-A stage. The fund will invest in 30 startups with ticket sizes ranging from EUR500 up to EUR5million.
Wind’s new fund is designed to support the development of innovative solutions in Europe’s essential infrastructure and services industries. The investment focus includes key areas that are essential to human health and the environment, such as air and food quality, mobility and power, construction and security.
“We are at a new innovation phase driven by decarbonization, AI, robotics,” said Thierry Vandewalle, co-founding partner of Wind. “Our mission is support startups that use these technologies to create solutions for our essential services industries, ensuring that they thrive in a world with a climate challenge. It’s about finding ways to meet the needs of humanity without compromising our planet.
Thierry Vandewalle, a repeat entrepreneur and engineer, and Xavier Gury, a repeat engineer, founded Wind in 2015. The duo has previously launched and exited several companies, including WCube a data agency that was sold to Publicis in 2007 They used their earnings to launch Wind Capital I. This EUR23 million evergreen investment fund is characterized by active support and engagement of its portfolio founders.
After investing in over 80 startups in various sectors such as fintech, SaaS and mobility, and completing 29 exits successfully, Wind’s Founding Partners have now focused on climate resilience. They are opening the new Article 9 fund to successful entrepreneurs who want to invest their earnings and mentor startups.
“Innovation is in our DNA.” Over the years we have strengthened our impact investing thesis with transformative startup companies like Getaround (car-sharing), Yuka (consumer advice), Spark (decarbonised hydrogen) and Neolithe. This new climate resilient fund continues our commitment towards fostering positive changes,” commented Xavier Gury. “The very enthusiastic reaction from our network LPs of entrepreneur confirms the business-sense of the approach.”
Wind’s LPs are part of a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and scientists who can provide valuable business advice and technical opinions to portfolio founders. “Having founded multiple companies, we understand the importance of having experienced founders around you who know the challenges of building a business. Our community-based approach aims to provide technical and business expertise needed for their growth,” explained Xavier Gury.
The new fund has already backed three cutting-edge startups: Eclipse (energy storage solutions), Sopht, (green IT), and Entroview, (battery diagnosis for gigafactories). Wind’s investors are institutional players like Bpifrance BNP Paribas Sopra Steria and more than 120 successful entrepreneurs.
“ Since the final closing is expected in 2025, there is still space for new strategic investors to add their value to what promises to an exceptional journey y,” said Thierry Wandevalle.