Emblem is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments, particularly at the pre-seed and seed stages, in startups across France, Denmark, and Sweden. Founded by Bénédicte de Raphélis Soissan and Guillaume Durao, Emblem leverages the extensive experience of its team members, who have backgrounds as entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, business angels, and investment bankers.
Emblem focuses on seed-stage investments in startups located in France and the Nordic countries. The firm is sector-agnostic, seeking innovative companies with strong growth potential. Emblem aims to support 25 to 30 startups from its inaugural fund, providing investments between €500,000 and €3 million.
In February 2025, Emblem announced the final close of its first fund at €80 million ($85 million). This achievement comes 18 months after the initial closing, during which the firm had raised €50 million. The fund's investors include over 200 limited partners, featuring founders from companies such as Unity, Pleo, Qonto, Spendesk, Voodoo, Ledger, and Zendesk. Institutional support also comes from the Danish sovereign fund EIFO and Bpifrance.
Investment Strategy
Emblem adopts a founder-centric approach, ensuring that entrepreneurs interact directly with decision-makers. The firm emphasizes close, honest, and impactful relationships with its portfolio companies, offering flexible deal terms to accommodate the unique needs of each startup. Emblem is committed to supporting its founders throughout their entrepreneurial journey, regardless of the company's success over time.
Notable Investments
Emblem's portfolio includes 16 investments, such as:
