If you follow venture capital and technology, you have almost certainly come across Partech Partners, often shortened to “Partech”. They are one of the most established global investors, backing startups from seed through to growth. Their influence extends across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the United States, with investments in fintech, SaaS, AI, wealth tech and deep tech.
Partech is more than a source of capital. It is a partner that provides founders with operational support, strategic guidance and international reach. This mix has made them one of the leading European venture capital firms with a growing global footprint.
Origins, Founders and Early History
Partech’s story begins in 1982, when it was created as Paribas Technologies. Over time it matured into a specialist investor. In 1996, Jean-Marc Patouillaud set up the European office in Paris. A little more than a decade later, Philippe Collombel joined him, and in 2008 the two completed a management buyout that gave Partech its independence.
- Jean-Marc Patouillaud: Founding Partner and now Senior Advisor, a veteran in seed investing and international venture capital.
- Philippe Collombel: Founding and General Partner, still leading strategy and investment, with a track record of scaling successful technology companies.
This duo helped transform Partech from a bank-owned entity into an independent global player.
What Partech Partners Does
Partech Partners operates across the full venture spectrum, offering support at every stage of a startup’s journey:
- Seed and early stage funding for new ventures building traction.
- Series A and growth stage to support rapid scaling and market expansion.
- Internationalisation support for companies entering new regions.
Partech is headquartered in Paris, but its reach is global, with offices in Berlin, Dakar, Dubai, Nairobi and San Francisco. This geographical spread gives portfolio companies access to markets, mentors and networks that extend far beyond their home countries.
Funding, Scale and Recent Investments
Partech currently manages about €2.5 billion in assets under management (AUM). Their portfolio includes more than 220 companies across 40 countries. The firm invests in diverse verticals such as fintech, deep tech, procurement technology, wealth management platforms and energy solutions.
Here are some of their most recent investments and deals:
| Company | Sector | Round and Amount | Year | Purpose or Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercanis (Berlin) | Procurement AI | Series A, $20M+ | 2024 | Expand internationally and enter the U.S. market |
| QPLIX (Germany) | Wealth tech | Growth, €25M+ | 2024 | Scale operations and support global expansion |
| RockFi (Europe) | Wealth mgmt | Series A, €18M | 2024 | Build platform and target €1B AUM by 2026 |
| Beacon Power Services (Africa) | Energy tech | Series B, undisclosed | 2024 | Improve power grid management and expand across Africa |
| Expensya (France and Tunisia) | SaaS and Fintech | Acquired by Medius | 2023 | Scale SaaS for expense management in Europe and MENA |
| Wave (Africa) | Fintech | Series B extension, $91M | 2023 | Expand mobile money services across West Africa |
| InstaDeep (UK and Nigeria) | Deep tech and AI | Acquired by BioNTech, $682M | 2023 | AI for drug discovery and biotech applications |
This list highlights how Partech balances investments in European scaleups with ambitious African innovators. Their focus on AI, fintech and energy solutions shows where they see the most potential for growth.
Leadership and Team Dynamics
Leadership is one of Partech’s greatest strengths. Philippe Collombel continues to act as Founding and General Partner, driving investment strategy and shaping the firm’s vision. His ability to spot and scale Europe’s most promising startups has kept Partech competitive across multiple funding cycles.
Jean-Marc Patouillaud has stepped back into an advisory position. While less involved in day-to-day operations, his knowledge and long history in venture capital remain a guiding influence.
The leadership team has expanded in recent years:
- Karen Noël, formerly General Counsel, now serves as Deputy CEO. She strengthens internal governance and supports strategic growth.
- Olivier Michelon, General Partner and CFO, manages funds and operations, ensuring efficiency and strong financial controls.
- Keji Mustapha, Chief Marketing Officer, builds the Partech brand and community.
- Benoît Piquette, Chief Information Officer, drives digital transformation across the organisation.
This blend of long-standing leadership with new talent reflects a company preparing for the future, combining continuity with fresh operational expertise.
Objectives, Strategy and What Sets Partech Apart
Partech’s mission is to support entrepreneurs from seed to scale with both capital and practical expertise. Their objectives are clear:
- Back entrepreneurs at every stage of growth.
- Expand their global presence, particularly in Africa, where Partech Africa has become one of the continent’s most active funds.
- Focus on high-potential verticals, including fintech, deep tech, AI, procurement technology, and energy solutions.
- Provide hands-on guidance, using their international offices to open doors for founders entering new markets.
What sets Partech apart is the combination of financial resources, global reach and operational support. Startups get more than investment: they get a partner for growth.
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Impact and Recent Highlights
The Partech Africa II Fund, worth about €280 million, has surpassed its initial targets. It is now one of the largest Africa-focused venture funds, backing startups in fintech, health tech, agritech and consumer sectors.
Some highlights include:
- Beacon Power Services, using digital solutions to improve African power grids. With Partech’s backing, BPS is expanding to Eastern and Southern Africa.
- QPLIX and RockFi, European wealth tech companies that are scaling internationally with Partech’s support.
- InstaDeep, a deep tech AI company originally backed by Partech, acquired by BioNTech in a landmark deal.
These examples show how Partech balances commercial growth with impact-driven innovation.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Partech faces the same challenges as other venture firms:
- Intense competition, especially in AI and fintech.
- Regulatory and macro-economic risks, particularly when scaling across multiple regions.
- Leadership transition, as founding figures shift to advisory roles.
Despite these hurdles, Partech’s ambitions remain strong. They aim to grow assets under management, deepen their presence in Africa, and expand into new frontiers like AI and deep tech. With a broadening leadership team and a diversified portfolio, Partech is positioned to remain a leading force in global venture capital.