Investor Profile: Global Founders Capital — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

Global Founders Capital funding is unlike most European venture cheques. Global Founders Capital (GFC) is the global venture capital platform of Rocket Internet, the Berlin startup factory built by the Samwer brothers. If you are wondering how to get funding from Global Founders Capital, the essential context is that the firm no longer raises traditional funds: since 2024 it invests exclusively from Rocket Internet’s own balance sheet, writing early-stage cheques to exceptional founders around the world.

Thesis

GFC describes itself as a fund “by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs”, backing many of the world’s fastest-growing technology companies and supporting exceptional founders from day one. It is deliberately generalist — investing early and across sectors, backing more than five hundred entrepreneurs worldwide. Its edge is Rocket Internet’s operating DNA: a team that has built and scaled internet businesses across dozens of markets, with rare depth in international expansion.

Sectors & stage

Sector-agnostic technology: fintech, HR tech, payments, marketplaces, logistics, AI and consumer internet all feature in the portfolio. Historically stage-agnostic — investing from seed to late stage — the firm has now narrowed its focus to early-stage investments and follow-on deals from Series A and beyond, according to TechCrunch. Geographically, GFC is genuinely global: its teams have spanned Berlin, Munich, San Francisco, London, Paris and Beijing.

Fund size & cheque size

GFC was launched in 2013 with a €150 million (about $194 million) fund by Oliver Samwer, Marc Samwer and Fabian Siegel, the Delivery Hero co-founder. It went on to raise two $1 billion funds, which are now fully deployed. Rather than raise a third fund, the firm decided in 2024 to invest Rocket Internet’s cash — roughly €300 million ($322 million) earmarked for venture investments. Early cheques historically ran from €100k to €10m; current cheque sizes are not published.

Notable portfolio

The first fund backed future unicorns including Personio, Revolut and SumUp; the second fund’s portfolio includes Pennylane, Ankorstore and Seyna. Across its history, GFC’s partner successes span Facebook, LinkedIn, Slack, Eventbrite, Canva, Zalando, Delivery Hero, HelloFresh, Jumia, Lazada, Traveloka, Trivago, HomeAway, Funding Circle and Away Travel.

Partners

Founded by Oliver Samwer, with Marc Samwer and Fabian Siegel as co-founders of the fund. Today the firm is led by Investment Partners Cedric Asselman, David Sainteff and Fabricio Pettena, with Oliver Samwer still closely involved. Siegel’s founding promise — to be “fast, pragmatic, and fair” with entrepreneurs — still sums up how the firm likes to work.

Programs & perks

GFC runs no public accelerator, fellowship or grant programme; it is a pure venture investor. Founders get the Rocket Internet network: deep operating experience in building and scaling companies internationally, plus a partner team that moves quickly once convinced.

How to get funding from Global Founders Capital

GFC publishes no open pitch portal, application form or dedicated pitch email on its website. The realistic route is a warm introduction to one of the investment partners, or a direct, well-prepared approach to the team. Because the firm is now deliberately smaller and choosier about deal flow, a crisp pitch with strong early traction and a clear internationalisation story travels furthest.