Paris-based venture capital firm Founders Future is setting its sights on becoming a global investment powerhouse. The firm has just opened up the capital of its holding company, selling a 25% stake to a group of heavyweight investors, including MACSF, the Dassault family, and CMA CGM Group. This strategic move provides Founders Future with fresh capital to fuel its next ambitious phase—expanding into the U.S. and launching a dedicated growth fund.
With €300 million (around $324 million) in assets under management, Founders Future has built an impressive track record since its launch in 2018. The firm has backed early-stage successes like Lydia, Alma, Taster, La Fourche, Riot, Swan, and Yuka, investing in over 110 startups across two early-stage funds and a growth fund.
Now, the firm is looking ahead to 2030 with a bold goal—growing its assets under management to €1 billion. Achieving that means moving fast on new fund raises and expanding its global footprint. “We’re not just another VC with personal initiatives or solo GPs,” said Marc Menasé, Founders Future’s founding partner. “We’re building a real company with a clear roadmap, and this capital opening gives us the means to reach those ambitions.”
Part of that roadmap includes crossing the Atlantic. Founders Future plans to establish two offices in the U.S., one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast, building a team dedicated to supporting its European portfolio as they scale stateside. The move stems from a clear trend Menasé has observed: European startups that find strong product-market fit locally often double or triple their annual recurring revenue (ARR) within three years of entering the U.S. market.
“These companies raise money faster, at higher valuations—often twice what they’d get in Europe—because of the bigger exit opportunities in the U.S.,” Menasé explained. That’s exactly why Founders Future wants to build a transatlantic bridge—to help European startups succeed in the U.S. while also supporting American companies looking to navigate Europe’s unique tech and policy landscape.
But the expansion won’t stop at business development support. Founders Future is preparing to raise a $250 million U.S.-focused growth fund, designed to back American tech companies in growth rounds of $50 million to $70 million. The plan is to start small, writing checks between $5 million and $10 million in these larger funding rounds.
According to Menasé, this fund will give Founders Future’s European limited partners direct exposure to promising U.S. tech companies—a rare opportunity for investors seeking cross-border growth. While fundraising hasn’t officially kicked off yet, Menasé hinted that existing backers like MACSF, the Dassault family, and CMA CGM Group could also participate in the new fund.
Ultimately, the goal is clear. “We want to become a truly global firm, with one European arm and one American arm, working together to create opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic,” Menasé said. By opening up its capital and launching a U.S. presence, Founders Future is positioning itself to shape the next wave of global tech investments.
