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§ Venture Capital · Sweden
Venture capital firm investing in early-stage tech startups led by underrepresented founders, focusing on fintech, AI, and e-commerce.
BackingMinds is a Stockholm, Sweden-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies led by underrepresented founders who are typically overlooked by traditional investors. The firm manages over €50 million in assets under management through its second fund and writes pre-seed and seed checks ranging from $250,000 to $5 million for 15% to 30% equity stakes. Operating with seven employees, the firm has executed over 50 deals and maintains a portfolio of more than 15 active portfolio companies across the financial technology, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and climate technology sectors. BackingMinds is backed by notable limited partners including H&M CEO Karl-Johan Persson and Spotify co-founder Martin Lorentzon, and its portfolio features startups such as Transfer Galaxy, Cemvision, and Trustrace. The venture capital firm was originally founded in 2016 by Susanne Najafi and Sara Wimmercranz.
Key people at BackingMinds.
Key people at BackingMinds.
BackingMinds has 15 tracked investments across 11 companies. The latest tracked deal is $30.0M Series B in Treefera in June 2025.
BackingMinds is a Stockholm-based venture capital firm founded in 2016 that specializes in investing in early-stage tech companies led by high-performing founders who are often outside traditional venture capital networks. Their investment philosophy centers on *backing founders overlooked by mainstream VCs*, emphasizing a hands-on, supportive approach to scaling startups. They invest industry-agnostic but have notable focus areas including fintech, AI, blockchain, and e-commerce. By targeting underrepresented and diverse founders globally, BackingMinds contributes to broadening access to capital and fostering innovation beyond conventional ecosystems[1][2][4].
BackingMinds was established in 2016 by founding partners including Susanne Najafi and Sara Wimmercranz, among others, with the mission to find and back exceptional founders missed by traditional venture capital. The idea emerged from recognizing the blind spots in the VC landscape and the need for a more inclusive, founder-centric investment approach. Since inception, the firm has evolved to manage multiple funds and execute over 50 deals, building a diverse portfolio with successful exits, primarily across Europe and North America[2][4][6].
BackingMinds rides the trend of democratizing venture capital by addressing the systemic gaps that exclude many talented founders from funding opportunities. The timing is critical as the startup ecosystem increasingly values diversity, inclusion, and global reach. Market forces such as the rise of remote work, digital transformation, and emerging technologies like AI and blockchain favor early-stage investors who can identify and nurture overlooked talent. BackingMinds influences the ecosystem by expanding the pool of funded entrepreneurs, thus fostering innovation in underrepresented segments and geographies[1][2][4].
Looking ahead, BackingMinds is poised to deepen its impact by continuing to back diverse founders and expanding its portfolio in cutting-edge tech sectors. Trends such as AI adoption, fintech innovation, and blockchain maturation will shape their investment focus. Their influence may grow as they demonstrate the value of inclusive venture capital models, potentially inspiring other firms to broaden their scope. BackingMinds’ commitment to being a "supporting act" for entrepreneurs suggests a future where they remain a vital partner in scaling transformative startups beyond traditional VC circles[1][2][4].
