News

OpenOcean, in partnership with Oxford's Saïd Business School, has launched O³, an open-access startup insights platform aimed at fostering a data-driven startup ecosystem. Historically, the tech industry has struggled with transparency, leading policymakers, investors, and startups to base decisions on partial information. O³ addresses this gap by providing comprehensive data about startups, their technologies, market strategies, and more. This collaboration of Saïd Business School's research with OpenOcean's know-how offers unmatched insights for evaluating startups and understanding market shifts.

OpenOcean x Oxford's Saïd Business School: Why We Created O³, Startup Insights Platform

We are now happy to share the results of our 5th annual ESG report with you to unpack the current ESG statistics of our portfolio companies and to establish transparently where and how we must continue to collectively push for greater progress. This year we achieved a 100% response rate and the survey was based on our internally developed ESG Starter Pack.

OpenOcean ESG Report 2023: ESG Maturity at an All-Time High

Patrik Backman

The OpenOcean Helsinki and London teams will attend various spring and summer events around Europe. We're on a mission to unite with entrepreneurs, professionals, and fellow investors to exchange and discuss new ideas and dive into exciting business opportunities – on and off the stage.

Meet the OpenOcean Team in Spring/Summer 2023 Events

Tom Henriksson

In this Q&A blog post, we have the pleasure of featuring Kulpreet Singh, OpenOcean's Operating Advisor since 2018. Kulpreet joined the team after a successful tenure at UiPath, the world's leading robotic process automation (RPA) software. We dive into Kulpreet's insights on company growth, common challenges fast-growing tech companies face, and essential qualities for startups aiming to make their mark globally.

"You can either retain your culture or have hyper-growth - getting both is a fool's choice.” – A Q&A with our Operating Advisor Kulpreet Singh

Tom Henriksson

OpenOcean's Investor Relations Director Naureen Zahid's Letter to the Editor was published today on City AM.

"London needs to demonstrate why it remains the best place for firms to raise funds and grow their business" – Naureen Zahid's Letter to the City AM Editor

Naureen Zahid

Investor Relations Director

OpenOcean portfolio company Hygraph, a leading federated content platform, announced the closure of a $30 million Series B funding round led by One Peak. OpenOcean is delighted to continue to be part of the journey since it led Hygraph’s Series A, and welcomes the participation of both existing and new investors, including Peak, SquareOne, and business angel Boris Lokschin, Co-Founder and CEO of Spryker Systems.

Hygraph Raises $30M Series B Funding Round for Federated Content Platform

Ekaterina Almasque

At the beginning of the year, Lisa Edgar joined our team as our Strategic Advisor. We sat down with Lisa for a Q&A to pick her brain and hear her unique perspective on various topics related to the startup ecosystem and venture capital industry. From her thoughts on the current state of the European venture capital market to her belief in the importance of ESG, Lisa offers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

"Despite a difficult market, LPs remain bullish on the opportunity” – A Q&A with OpenOcean’s Strategic Advisor Lisa Edgar

Naureen Zahid

Investor Relations Director

Our portfolio company Supermetrics, , announced in early 2023 that it is moving to a shared CEO model – a practice used by roaringly successful companies like Netflix, Atlassian and Workday. To introduce the model, Anssi and Supermetrics better, we asked him a few crisp questions on the topic.

How Supermetrics, a company with 40% annual growth, leads with two CEOs?

Patrik Backman

Exploring 2023 Automation Market Map: OpenOcean’s 13 New Unicorns

OpenOcean, a prominent European software and deep technology Venture Capital (VC) firm, has revealed thirteen nascent unicorns, denoting companies with a valuation soaring beyond the illustrious $1 billion mark. This unveiling comes as a part of OpenOcean’s 2023 Automation Market Map, a comprehensive compass designed to illuminate the intricate terrain of the enterprise automation software realm.

Startup Reporter

OpenOcean reveals 13 new unicorns with 2023 Automation Market Map

European software and deep technology Venture Capital firm OpenOcean has revealed the emergence of thirteen new unicorns (companies with a valuation of $1Bn or more) with the release of its 2023 Automation Market Map. The map aims to enhance the understanding of the enterprise automation software sector with a curated collection of over 810 automation companies, each valued at over $100M, along with the most promising early-stage startups in this area.

IT Brief

OpenOcean releases 2023 edition of automation market map, spotlights $13.5B raised by sector in H1 2023

Helsinki and London-based VC firm OpenOcean has updated its automation market map, adding over 100 companies from the year prior. The firm curates a collection of over 810 automation companies, each valued at over $100 million, but also includes a number of early-stage startups that they deem most promising, all with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the enterprise automation software sector.

Tech.eu

‘Tech VC funding is and always has been a boys’ club’

For the past number of years, Ekaterina Almasque has dedicated herself to advocating for women in the venture capital industry. She is a co-founder of European Women in VC, an advocacy group she helped set up with a group of women who were equally frustrated with the blocks preventing talented women from breaking into the scene.

Silicon Republic

From the Ashes of Tech Nation, Rises Tech Nation 2.0 for UK SMEs

“Tech Nation 2.0 will be especially important for deep tech firms in fields like quantum technology. These companies have timelines measured in decades. They rely on targeted incentives and funding from the government to ensure continued progress is made. Furthermore, we need to establish the right procedures to guide visionary founders with innovative software concepts from initial whiteboard sketches all the way to becoming publicly listed companies in Piccadilly Square.”

Fintech Times

Tech industry hits out at plans to limit UK’s AI Safety Summit to 100 delegates

Ekaterina Almasque, general partner at deep tech venture capital company OpenOcean said key players in the industry should have a seat at the table, but excluding prominent start-ups risks decisions being made without critical input from those at the frontlines. “To properly regulate AI in a way that fosters innovation, we need to make every effort to connect investors, startups, and policymakers,” she says. “This involves increasing R&D budgets, creating sovereign funds to support strategic initiatives, and attracting top talent into start-ups. However, we cannot adequately take these steps without the presence and perspective of the startups themselves.”

TechMonitor

The era of lean unicorns

Right now, we’re entering an era of lean unicorns powered by AI and a modular approach to building a business. A recent Sifted article, featuring our GP Ekaterina Almasque, delved into this new, emerging age, shaped by rising interest rates and cautious VCs. As market conditions continue to stay uncertain, founders must use their resources wisely. New solutions are paving the way for leaner startups, with AI tools at the forefront. However, their use should be taken with a grain of salt.

Sifted

Letter: How university spinouts can win more investment

In a recent article, the Financial Times reported a decline in funding for UK university spinouts, marking the first decrease in a decade. Ekaterina Almasque's letter highlighted the critical challenges faced by UK university spinouts.

Financial Times