In 2015 I started investing in startups. I have founded five companies -one sold, two closed, two active- and I have invested in more than 50 startups, both personally and through the investment vehicles I co-lead.
I've learned - with hard work, and also with joy - that the best investment is not always in Excel, but in people, timing and vision.
Today, from Aticco and Funding Place, I accompany entrepreneurs who are building the future, and I help more people to be part of that journey: beautiful, convoluted... and full of meaning.
Why is now a good time to invest in startups?
The last two years have been a reality check. Gone is the party of exorbitant valuations and unsubstantiated FOMO-deals. And that's a good thing.
Now there is more criteria, more questions, more focus on execution. And on selling.
And yet, innovation does not stop. In fact, it has intensified with AI.
What are we (down-to-earth investors) looking for?
In every project we look for what does not fit in a PowerPoint:
- Founders dedicated full time, with experience in their sector.
- Scalable and capital efficient business models.
- First real traction indicators.
- A clear vision... and a plan to carry it out.
And above all: people. Because in the end, startups are driven by people with commitment, ethics and resilience.
Investment is no longer just a matter of the few
Until recently, investing in startups was a privilege reserved for funds and high net worth individuals. Today, with platforms like Funding Place, you can start with just €2,000 and co-invest in real opportunities, validated by a committee that has managed more than €150 million in investments.
And you don't just put money in: you join a community that connects investors, founders and professionals from different sectors and industries.
To invest is to commit
At Aticco , we don't just look for economic return. We are looking for impact. That's why:
- We help projects prepare for growth.
- We support entrepreneurs.
- We create spaces - face-to-face and digital - for connections to happen.
I have been building in the startup world for 10 years. It hasn't always been easy. But it has been very worthwhile.
Because when you invest with head and heart, you're not just looking for profitability.
You're looking to be part of something that makes sense to you.
I don't know if we will make history.
But we will have a good time.