Forty.5 Ventures has closed its inaugural $30 million venture fund to invest in pre-seed and seed-stage companies, primarily backing founders building from Southeastern Europe for global markets. The firm will selectively invest in startups in the United States and Asia Pacific as well.
Fund I plans to make initial investments ranging from $200,000 to $1 million and will lead or co-lead rounds. Its focus areas include vertical AI, fintech and cybersecurity, along with gaming, sports, media, entertainment and creator economy infrastructure.
Forty.5 Ventures has offices in Los Angeles, Belgrade and Singapore, creating a geographic network intended to help companies founded in Southeastern Europe expand into larger international markets.
The fund is backed by family offices, angel investors, entrepreneurs and operators across Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific.
Forty.5 also plans to launch a second fund dedicated to follow-on and Series A investments. That vehicle is intended to provide portfolio companies with additional capital as they move beyond the earliest stage of development.
The firm describes its team as entrepreneurs and operators as well as investors, with an approach centered on working closely with founders from the earliest stages of company building.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’ve built companies, and we’ve sold them, so we know what a founder actually needs at pre-seed — and it usually isn’t advice. The best companies from this region don’t stay regional. We’re there with capital and conviction at the start in Southeastern Europe, and with real doors in Los Angeles and Singapore when it’s time to go global.”
Riccardo Monti, Chairman and Venture Partner at Forty.5 Ventures
“A first fund is bought with belief, not track record. We’re grateful to the family offices, angels, and operators who backed us before there was anything to point to. That trust is the whole foundation of this firm, and we intend to return it many times over.”
Zoran Vasiljev, Founding Partner at Forty.5 Ventures
