Elaia Partners
UnclaimedAt a Glance
- Check Size
- $500K – $10M
- Stage
- Seed, Series A
- AUM
- $500M
- Sectors
- Deeptech, Enterprise, AI +2
- Founded
- 2002
- HQ
- Paris, France
About Elaia Partners
Elaia Partners is a leading French early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2002, specializing in deep tech and enterprise software investments across Europe. The firm has built a strong reputation for backing companies that emerge from top European research institutions and universities, leveraging its deep connections to the academic and research community. Elaia focuses on transformative technologies including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, enterprise software, and digital infrastructure, typically investing from seed through Series A rounds. The firm's investment philosophy centers on identifying breakthrough technologies with strong intellectual property and exceptional founding teams. Notable portfolio companies include insurance AI platform Shift Technology, product information management leader Akeneo, and data science platform Dataiku. Elaia's team combines venture capital expertise with deep technical knowledge, allowing them to evaluate complex deep tech opportunities and provide meaningful strategic guidance to portfolio companies. The firm has established itself as a key player in the European tech ecosystem, particularly in France's growing startup scene.
Investment Thesis
“Bridges European research and entrepreneurship, backing founders commercializing breakthrough technology from leading institutions.”
Leadership Team
Elaia runs a four-person managing partner group. Anne-Sophie Carrese covers energy, aeronautics, automotive, IoT, artificial intelligence and deep tech, and co-led the PSL Innovation Fund with Université PSL. Xavier Lazarus, one of the firm's longest-tenured leaders, covers adtech, big data, machine learning, digital media and SaaS. Marc Rougier joined as partner in 2015 alongside the Delta Fund raise and focuses on IT infrastructure, big data, social media and SaaS. Pauline Roux covers AI, SaaS, adtech, martech, HR tech and agtech.
The partner bench below them is deliberately specialized: Florian Denis in life sciences, Clément Vanden Driessche in deep tech, environmental tech, robotics, new space and cybersecurity, Alexis Frentz in AI and fintech, Samantha Jérusalmy in marketplaces and commerce, Philippe Gire in telecom and insurtech, and Sébastien Lefebvre in IT infrastructure. Emmanuel Perez-Duarte is partner, chief financial officer and general secretary.
Sector Focus
Investment Stage
Notable Portfolio Companies
Fund History
Elaia has raised successive early-stage vehicles from Paris since 2002. Its fourth investment vehicle, the Elaia Delta Fund, held a first closing at 120 million euros in November 2015 against a 150 million euro hard cap, and had already made five investments at first close. The Delta raise coincided with the arrival of Marc Rougier as partner and marked the firm's move to institutional scale.
The more distinctive vehicle is the PSL Innovation Fund, launched jointly with Université PSL, Paris Sciences & Lettres, to commercialize research from the PSL ecosystem. It reached final close at 76 million euros, a pre-seed and seed fund dedicated to deep tech spinouts from one of France's leading research universities. Paired with a companion deep tech seed fund of roughly 77 million euros, that gave Elaia about 153 million euros of dedicated firepower for research-adjacent companies as of July 2022. The firm invests from seed through Series A across AI, enterprise software, cybersecurity, life sciences and digital infrastructure, mainly in France and continental Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What stage does Elaia Partners invest at?
Elaia Partners primarily invests at the Seed, Series A stages. This means they focus on companies that are building their initial product and finding product-market fit.
Where is Elaia Partners located?
Elaia Partners is headquartered in Paris, France. Many of their portfolio companies are also based in this region, though they invest across geographies.
What sectors does Elaia Partners focus on?
Elaia Partners focuses on investments in Deeptech, Enterprise, AI, Cybersecurity, SaaS. Their portfolio reflects deep expertise and networks within these sectors.
What is Elaia Partners's typical check size?
Elaia Partners's typical investment check size ranges from $500K to $10M. Actual amounts may vary based on the stage, sector, and specific opportunity.
How much does Elaia Partners have under management?
Elaia Partners manages approximately $500M in assets under management (AUM) across their funds.
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