Multi-stage VC, Paris

Daphni

Venture capital firm · Paris · Founded May 2015

Quick read

Daphni is a multi-stage VC firm founded in 2015, headquartered in Paris, France. It backs tech startups from seed to Series A with a European DNA, focusing on new usages and deeptech with a strong science angle—biology, chemistry, physics, and life sciences. A B Corp-certified, mission-driven firm, it closed its latest fund, Daphni Blue, at €260 million in early 2026.

Key facts

Founded
May 2015
Founders
Pierre-Eric Leibovici, Michael Amar, Pierre-Yves Meerschman
Employees
29
Sectors
generalist, consumer, ai, climate
Website
www.daphni.com/

Investment thesis

Daphni backs European tech startups from seed to Series A that drive new usages or deeptech breakthroughs—particularly in biology, chemistry, physics, and life sciences—with a measurable positive social or environmental impact. The firm is sector-agnostic but prioritises companies with strong international ambition and a science-forward angle.

Recent activity

  • Jan 2026fundraise
    Daphni closed its Daphni Blue fund at €260 million (second and final close), targeting science-driven startups from major European research institutions across techbio, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and life sciences. eu-startups.com
  • Mar 2025fundraise
    Daphni announced the first close of Daphni Blue at €200 million, its third flagship fund focused on fundamental research and deep science. everythingstartups.com
  • May 2026investment
    Daphni led a $4 million seed round in Certo, a beautytech startup automating regulatory compliance for beauty and CPG brands, alongside Transpose Platform and Motier. tracxn.com
  • Apr 2026investment
    Daphni co-led a €20 million Series A in Generare alongside Alven to accelerate molecule discovery. tracxn.com
  • May 2026investment
    Daphni led a $4M seed round in Certo, a Paris-based AI startup automating regulatory compliance for beauty and CPG brands. Entrepreneurs First, Motier Ventures, and Transpose Platform co-invested. techfundingnews.com
  • Mar 2026investment
    TerraSpark closed over €5M in pre-seed funding with Daphni participating, targeting space-based solar energy systems. tracxn.com
  • Mar 2026investment
    Paris-based baCta raised €7M with Daphni participating alongside OVNI and LocalGlobe. baCta uses microorganisms as programmable molecular factories for industrial ingredients. tracxn.com
  • Feb 2026investment
    London-based Alpa raised $3.5M in a pre-seed round led by Daphni, with Firedrop and four other investors participating. tracxn.com
  • Feb 2026fundraise
    Daphni closed its Daphni Blue fund at €260M, focused on science-based startups in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and life sciences. Bpifrance, CM Arkea, and the European Investment Fund backed the vehicle. cbinsights.com
  • Jan 2026investment
    Daphni's most recent tracked investment was in WISH ONE, recorded as an unattributed VC round on 31 January 2026. cbinsights.com
  • Mar 2026investment
    Led pre-seed round for TerraSpark, which raised over €5M for space-based solar energy systems. tracxn.com
  • Mar 2026investment
    Participated in baCta's €7M raise; baCta uses microorganisms as programmable molecular factories for industrial ingredients. tracxn.com

Notable investments

Key people

Named individuals at the firm. We don't expose direct email or phone — use their LinkedIn for outreach.

  • Pierre-Eric Leibovici · Co-Founder
  • Michael Amar · Co-Founder
  • Pierre-Yves Meerschman · Co-Founder & Managing Partner
  • Marie Ekeland · Co-founder (founder, 2050)
  • Mathieu Daix · Partner
  • Pia d'Iribarne · Co-founder & Partner

Sources

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Frequently asked

What is Daphni?+

Daphni is a multi-stage VC firm founded in 2015, headquartered in Paris, France. It backs tech startups from seed to Series A with a European DNA, focusing on new usages and deeptech with a strong science angle—biology, chemistry, physics, and life sciences.

Where is Daphni headquartered?+

Daphni is headquartered in Paris, France.

When was Daphni founded?+

Daphni was founded in May 2015 by Pierre-Eric Leibovici, Michael Amar, Pierre-Yves Meerschman.

What sectors does Daphni invest in?+

Daphni focuses on generalist, consumer, ai, climate. They primarily invest in these sectors.

How do I prepare for a meeting with Daphni?+

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Generated by briefthecall.com from public web sources. Last updated July 10, 2026. Each claim is linked to its source above.

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