French VC Firm Founders Future Sets Sights on Strategic US Expansion

Founders Future, a prominent venture capital (VC) firm based in Paris, is making headlines by opening the capital of its holding company, which manages its funds and Sowefund. With €300 million (approximately $324 million) in assets under management, the firm has sold a 25% stake to notable investors, including MACSF, the Dassault family, and CMA CGM Group. This strategic move signifies Founders Future’s ambitious plans for growth and expansion.

Founders Future’s Investment Strategy

Since its inception in 2018, Founders Future has demonstrated a remarkable track record by investing in over 110 companies across two early-stage funds and a growth fund. Some of the notable startups in its portfolio include:

• Lydia
• Alma
• Taster
• La Fourche
• Riot
• Swan
• Yuka

This diverse range of investments highlights the firm’s commitment to fostering innovation within the tech ecosystem.

Ambitious Goals for 2030

Looking ahead, Founders Future has set an ambitious target to reach €1 billion in assets under management by 2030. This objective will require the firm to rapidly raise new funds and expand its operations. Founding partner Marc Menasé emphasized the need for a structured approach to achieve these goals:

“In a world where you’ve got a lot of personal initiatives in VC firms, we’re creating a company,” Menasé stated. “We wrote our roadmap for 2030 and seized the opportunity to reopen our capital.”

Expansion Plans in the U.S.

With the new influx of capital, Founders Future plans to expand its presence in the United States. The firm intends to:

• Hire a dedicated team
• Open two offices — one on the East Coast and another on the West Coast

Menasé pointed out that many European startups experience significant growth after entering the U.S. market, often doubling or tripling their annual recurring revenue (ARR) within three years.

Valuation Opportunities in the U.S.

According to Menasé, U.S.-based startups enjoy higher valuations due to the abundance of exit opportunities, particularly through acquisitions:

“American companies generally have a much better capacity to raise money from investors at higher valuations,” he explained.

A Focus on Transatlantic Collaboration

Founders Future aims to build a transatlantic bridge between European and American tech ecosystems. The firm will not only support European startups venturing into the U.S. but also assist American companies in navigating the European market.

In line with this strategy, Founders Future plans to launch a growth fund specifically focused on American investments, helping European limited partners invest in U.S. tech companies. Menasé shared:

“We’ll start with investment tickets ranging between $5 and $10 million in growth rounds of at least $50 to $70 million.”

Future Fundraising Initiatives

Although fundraising for the U.S.-focused growth fund has not yet commenced, Founders Future hopes to raise up to $250 million. It is likely that investors like MACSF, the Dassault family, and CMA CGM Group will participate in this initiative, further solidifying the firm’s commitment to fostering international growth.

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