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Minimal VC

DECHMXUSOtherFintechB2B SaaSEnterpriseCybersecurityDeep TechConsumerMarketplaces

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Investment thesis

Minimal VC is a Berlin-based early-stage investment vehicle founded and run by Marc Penkala, operating under an experience-based philosophy built on ten years and ten core principles. The firm is industry agnostic, geography agnostic, and team-centric — summarised by its own tagline: 'entry valuations don't matter.' Penkala emphasises backing exceptional founding teams at the seed and Series A stages, prioritising the quality of the people over the entry price or sector, with a view that outstanding judgement, bold out-of-the-box thesis, and unique deal access are the key drivers of fund alpha.

Notable quotes

The importance of team-centric when deciding to invest.

Marc Penkala · Voice of FinTech podcast (voiceoffintech.com/episodes/minimalvc) · 2021-11-25

The best companies are created in down markets where money is scarce, and innovation thrives.

Marc Penkala · Beginner's Mind Podcast, Ep. 139 (buzzsprout.com)

Even the best fund strategy in the world is worthless, if you don't have the right GP squad to execute upon it!

Marc Penkala · Medium / Minimal VC Truman Show blog (minimal-vc-truman-show.medium.com) · 2022-03-26

Recent investments

CompanyRoundSizeDate
QuoIntelligenceSeed$6m2023-07-27
Stableton FinancialSeries A$15m2022-07-12
alboSeries C$40m
KavakSeries E$700m
DestinusSeed$29m
Momentus SpaceSPAC/IPO$310m
atai Life SciencesIPO2021-06-01
Milano ViceSeed$6m
StorypodSeed$4m
WonderbrandsSeed$20m

Frequent co-investors

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