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Hi Inov - Dentressangle
Inov-Dentressangle is a private equity firm based in Lyon, France. It pursues a Venture Capital strategy, managing approximately $381.57 million in assets.
Hi Inov - Dentressangle
Inov-Dentressangle is a private equity firm based in Lyon, France. It pursues a Venture Capital strategy, managing approximately $381.57 million in assets. The firm has $64.62 million in dry powder and employs 15 staff, including 14 investment professionals.
General information
Firm type
Private Equity
Year founded
2014
Location
Region
Europe
Country
France
City
Lyon
Corporate office
Lyon, France
Principals
Didier Dentressangle
Chairman
Nicolas Dentressangle
CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Hi Inov?
Day-to-day investment operations are led by Nicolas Dentressangle as CEO, with Chairman Didier Dentressangle overseeing the firm's strategic direction. The firm operates a lean investment team based in Lyon, with ultimate decision authority resting with the family principals through Dentressangle SAS.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The capital originates from the Norbert Dentressangle transport and logistics group, founded by Norbert Dentressangle in 1979. The family sold the publicly listed company to US-based XPO Logistics in 2015 for €3.2 billion, creating the liquidity pool now deployed through Hi Inov.
What investment stages does Hi Inov target?
Hi Inov concentrates on Seed and Series A rounds, typically writing first institutional checks between €500,000 and €3 million. The firm will occasionally participate in later-stage rounds for portfolio companies but does not pursue growth equity or buyout opportunities.
Which geographies and sectors does Hi Inov focus on?
The firm invests primarily in France and the DACH region, with Lyon serving as its sole office. Sector coverage centers on B2B enterprise technology, including enterprise software, industrial tech, digital health, and AI/ML platforms. The firm's logistics heritage informs a particular interest in supply-chain and industrial automation startups.
Does Hi Inov participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Hi Inov operates as a direct investor and does not pursue a fund-of-funds strategy. The firm co-invests alongside other European venture funds and family offices on a deal-by-deal basis but does not commit capital as a limited partner to third-party funds.
How is Hi Inov structured relative to the broader Dentressangle family holdings?
Hi Inov operates under Dentressangle SAS, the family's private holding company. This permanent capital structure means Hi Inov is not bound by standard venture fund cycles of 10—12 years, allowing the firm to hold positions for extended periods aligned with generational wealth-preservation objectives.
Does Hi Inov have any philanthropic or impact investing structures?
There is no separate philanthropic vehicle publicly linked to the firm, nor is there a publicly disclosed impact-investing mandate. Hi Inov operates as a purely commercial venture capital investor focused on financial returns within the European B2B technology sector.
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