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Lakestar Capital
Lakestar Capital was founded in 2014 by Klaus Hommels, a serial entrepreneur and early investor in Skype, alongside a team of technology operators.
Lakestar Capital
Lakestar Capital was founded in 2014 by Klaus Hommels, a serial entrepreneur and early investor in Skype, alongside a team of technology operators. The firm's founding reflects a shift by European family offices and institutional capital toward dedicated venture structures with deep operational support. Wealth origin for Lakestar's partners combines proceeds from earlier technology exits. The firm invests across enterprise software, fintech, digital health, AI/ML, climate tech, cybersecurity, and industrial technology. Lakestar targets seed through growth-stage companies, leading or co-leading rounds and taking board seats. Known portfolio companies include GetYourGuide, N26, and SumUp, with co-investors such as Sequoia Capital and Index Ventures (per public reports, various years). Geographically, the firm focuses on Europe with an increasing reach into North America. Lakestar manages its capital from a London headquarters and a Zurich office, with a team of approximately 20 investment professionals drawn from technology and finance backgrounds. The firm maintains a philanthropic initiative, Lakestar Foundation, which is structurally separate from its investment activities. In 2024, Lakestar closed its fifth fund at an undisclosed size, signaling sustained institutional demand (per the firm, 2024). A structural distinction is Lakestar's dual approach: it operates as a traditional venture capital fund manager while also managing capital directly for select European family offices. This hybrid model allows the firm to offer co-investment opportunities alongside its fund vehicles, deepening its relationship with limited partners beyond standard fund commitments. The founding team's operating experience provides a sourcing advantage through founder referrals.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2014
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
City
London
Corporate office
London, United Kingdom
Additional offices
Zurich, Switzerland
Principals
Stephan T. R. M. R. H. W. F. H. H. W. von H. von der Schulenburg
Founder & Partner
Javier Rives
Partner
Klaus Hommels
Founder & Chairman
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who makes investment decisions at Lakestar Capital?
Klaus Hommels serves as founder and chairman, with Stephan T. R. M. R. H. W. F. H. H. W. von H. von der Schulenburg and Javier Rives as partners leading investment activity. The investment committee includes partners with operating backgrounds from technology companies and venture capital firms (per Lakestar official communications).
How does Lakestar generate proprietary deal flow?
Lakestar sources deals through direct founder relationships, its partner networks from prior technology exits, and thematic research on digital transformation trends. The firm also receives referrals from its limited partner base of European family offices and institutional investors. Board seats in portfolio companies lead to repeat transactions from the same founder networks.
Is Lakestar structured as a single family office or a venture firm?
Lakestar operates primarily as a venture capital firm managing commingled funds, but it also manages separate accounts for select European family offices. This dual structure allows it to blend institutional fund management with bespoke capital deployment for wealthy families. The Lakestar Foundation is a separate philanthropic vehicle (per the firm's official communications).
Does Lakestar participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Lakestar invests directly in companies through its fund vehicles and separate accounts. The firm leads or co-leads rounds and takes board seats in portfolio companies. Co-investments with partners like Sequoia Capital and Index Ventures are part of its strategy across later-stage rounds.
What investment stages does Lakestar typically target?
Lakestar invests across the lifecycle from seed to growth equity, with a focus on Series A through Series C rounds. The firm's thematic approach leads it to back companies early in digital transformation sectors and support them through later funding rounds. Ticket sizes vary by fund vintage but generally range from €1 million to €20 million per round.
Which sectors does Lakestar explicitly avoid?
Lakestar does not publicly disclose explicit avoidance sectors, but its published portfolio excludes life sciences biotech, real estate, and natural resources in favor of technology-enabled business models. The firm avoids early-stage hardware companies requiring heavy capital expenditure, preferring software and data-driven businesses (per public portfolio review).
How is Lakestar related to Klaus Hommels' earlier ventures?
Klaus Hommels co-founded Lakestar after his work as an early investor in Skype and a founding partner of the venture firm Kite Ventures. His prior exits and networks provided the initial capital and deal flow for Lakestar. The firm maintains independent operations from any earlier vehicles.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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