Newfund: The Paris–Silicon Valley bridge betting on obsessed founders

Newfund calls itself the first early-stage VC based in both Silicon Valley and Paris — and it has spent nearly two decades making that transatlantic bridge its edge. Founded in 2008 by and for founders, Newfund is an early-stage, people-driven firm investing across France and the United States, backing entrepreneurs it describes as obsessed with realising their vision. Its strategy is deliberately sector-agnostic: it invests in what it believes is good for people and the planet, with a culture of permanent reinvention.

Newfund writes first cheques of €500,000 to €2 million, with smaller commitments from €100,000 in France's Nouvelle Aquitaine region through its dedicated NAEH fund, and follows on into Series A and B rounds. Its capital comes mostly from entrepreneurs, business leaders and family offices — and the Newfund team is itself a large limited partner in each fund, aligning its interests with founders'. The firm has reportedly raised more than €400 million across its funds by 2025. It is led by partners including François Véron, Patrick Malka and Henri Deshays.

Beyond money, Newfund offers access to its operating team and a cross-border ecosystem to help founders find product-market fit and accelerate growth, with rapid decision-making and hands-on support as its calling cards. It has also moved into thematic deep tech: it reportedly raised a €60 million neuro-tech fund, betting on the convergence of AI, sensors and neuroscience — one of Europe's first dedicated brain-tech vehicles.

Notable portfolio companies include cloud telephony leader Aircall, digital bank FairMoney and beauty services platform Kiute. Recent additions include Tin Can (screen-free phones for children), AI Stroke (AI-powered diagnostics for stroke prevention and treatment) and Nucleon Security, alongside founder-backed names such as ShareID, Rwazi and Infinite Orbits. Its portfolio spans more than 100 startups across AI, fintech, healthtech and consumer products, with exits including IPOs and acquisitions.

The firm describes its culture as entrepreneurial by design: it runs insights programmes around frontier themes such as brain capital, and portfolio founders publicly praise its speed, boldness and efficiency in getting their roadmaps on track.

Newfund does not publicly advertise startup credit or perk programmes.