In December, a new venture capital fund, daFUND, was launched, based in Slovenia and managed by experienced investor Darko Butina, and backed by the Business Angels of Slovenia and a large number of experienced entrepreneurs from across Europe. The fund will invest in the most promising start-ups from Europe and will provide innovative investment opportunities to its investors. Startups can expect support at very early stages and can expect initial investments ranging on average from €50,000 to couple €100,000.  

The fund will focus on identifying and investing in the most promising start-ups that are solving challenges using digital technologies and problems in a B2B environment. Startups can expect to be supported at very early stages and can expect to receive an initial investment on average in the range of €50,000 to couple €100,000 - with the possibility of additional follow-up investments in selected companies. In addition, start-ups will benefit from access to daFUND's broad stakeholder environment.

Darko Butina, daFUND's General Partner said:

"We firmly believe there is tremendous entrepreneurial potential in Europe, but I also see lack of support for the early stage companies and especially lack of support coming from experienced entrepreneurs and businesspeople. All of the fund's stakeholders have significant entrepreneurial experience and have successfully invested in and decisively supported various start-ups on their own in the past. To support the best start-ups even more effectively and with greater impact, we have joined forces to create daFUND - entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs."

Broad investor base

In addition to an experienced manager, Darko Butina, daFUND has a reputable investment committee and a broad investor base. This means that portfolio companies can gain even more added value alongside their financial investment. 
Nina Dremelj, President of the Business Angels of Slovenia, also commented on the fund:

"Although a significant part of daFUND's investors are also members of Business Angels of Slovenia, we are extremely pleased that we have managed to build a true pan-European VC fund with investors from all over Europe (Switzerland, the UK, Spain and Slovenia). In today's world, there are no borders - and startups should strive to conquer their target global markets - whether they come from the EU, Switzerland, the UK or Serbia."

more about DaFund

Meet Darko Butina

Darko is an experienced investor with significant experiences as an angel investor, investing both his own assets and on behalf of investment entities such as Netcetera in Switzerland. Darko has also been an early investor in successful start-ups such as Cognism, one of the UK's fastest growing start-ups, and Cleanshelf, recently acquired by Germany's LeanIX. 

During his business career, he has gained extensive experience in a number of companies, where he has worked in management positions as well as an entrepreneur and a member of supervisory boards. In recent years, he has had the opportunity to lead, advise and assist a number of companies from the USA, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the United Arab Emirates, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia. 

Who are Business Angels of Slovenia?

Founded in 2007, Business Angels of Slovenia is the first and biggest club of angel investors in Slovenia. They provide a focal point between startups, companies, club members, international investors and experts in the field.

Read more about the club here.

Anemari Pediček

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