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Key people at Semantic Ventures.
Semantic Ventures is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments in companies building foundational infrastructure for the data and digital economy. The firm backs innovative projects contributing to open markets and networks, specifically within the evolving Web3 and blockchain sectors. Their investment thesis targets enabling technologies that underpin the next generation of decentralized digital infrastructure.
Co-founded by Alexander Shelkovnikov, Yannick Roux, and Stefano Bernardi, the firm was established in London around 2017. Their collective insight recognized burgeoning opportunities within decentralized technologies and the broader digital economy, highlighting a critical need for focused capital and strategic support. This led to Semantic Ventures’ formation, aiming to catalyze growth in these pivotal domains.
Semantic Ventures primarily supports early-stage startups and founders, offering capital and strategic guidance. The firm’s long-term vision is to cultivate a more open, efficient, and interconnected digital landscape by empowering companies constructing its fundamental components. They aspire to play a key role in shaping the future of decentralized and data-driven economies.
Key people at Semantic Ventures.
Semantic Ventures is a UK-based venture capital firm founded in 2017 that primarily invests in early-stage companies focused on artificial intelligence (AI), crypto-native technologies, and new data infrastructure for the digital economy. The firm aims to back startups that are either transforming existing industries or creating entirely new markets, with a particular emphasis on open networks, internet services, and software sectors. Semantic Ventures works closely with its portfolio companies to help them scale, leveraging the team's combined expertise in venture capital and AI[1][3][6].
The firm typically invests in startups less than one year old, often participating in rounds alongside notable investors such as Y Combinator, Vitalik Buterin, and Mosaic Ventures. Its portfolio includes companies like Centrifuge, NuCypher, and StarkWare Industries, which operate in Internet and FinTech sectors, reflecting its focus on innovative data and blockchain technologies. Semantic Ventures generally invests between $250K and $10 million, often in rounds with multiple participants, and is known for its active involvement in the European startup ecosystem, especially in Germany despite being UK-based[2][3][6].
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Semantic Ventures was founded in 2017 in the United Kingdom by a team including co-founders such as Mr. Shelko, Mr. Stefano Bernardi, and Mr. Yannick R., who bring a blend of venture capital and technology expertise. The firm evolved with a focus on emerging technologies that redefine data infrastructure and digital economies, positioning itself as a crypto-native fund and a specialist in AI investments. Over time, it has expanded its focus to include open networks and software services, adapting to the rapid growth of blockchain and AI-driven markets[1][3][5].
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Semantic Ventures rides the wave of transformative trends in AI, blockchain, and decentralized data infrastructure. The timing is critical as industries increasingly adopt AI-driven solutions and blockchain technologies to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency. The firm’s focus on "new rails for data" aligns with the growing demand for decentralized and secure data ecosystems, positioning it at the forefront of the digital economy revolution. By backing foundational technologies and open networks, Semantic Ventures influences the broader ecosystem by enabling startups that could redefine finance, internet services, and software infrastructure[1][3][6].
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Looking ahead, Semantic Ventures is well-positioned to capitalize on the continued expansion of AI and blockchain technologies, especially as these sectors mature and integrate into mainstream industries. The firm’s early-stage focus and strong network provide a competitive advantage in sourcing and nurturing disruptive startups. Trends such as Web3, decentralized finance (DeFi), and AI-driven automation will likely shape its investment trajectory. As the digital economy evolves, Semantic Ventures’ influence may grow, potentially expanding its fund size and geographic reach while deepening its impact on the startup ecosystem.
This forward momentum ties back to its founding mission: to invest in companies that transform or create industries through innovative data and AI technologies, reinforcing its role as a catalyst in the evolving tech landscape.
Semantic Ventures has 17 tracked investments across 13 companies. The latest tracked deal is $1.1B Series A in Sidekick in February 2026.
