Alright, buckle up, folks! Mia Spending Sleuth here, mall mole and queen of the thrift-store chic. Today, we’re diving deep into the murky waters of…deeptech. Yeah, sounds like something out of a sci-fi flick, but trust me, it involves your money. We’re talking about Omnes Capital, a big player in the European private equity game, and their recent first close of €112 million for their Real Tech 2 fund. So, what’s the deal? Is this just another pile of cash being thrown at fancy gadgets, or is there something more to this deeptech obsession? Let’s dig in and find out who’s getting rich off this, and if it’ll actually do us any good.
Omnes Capital: Not Just Another Suit
Omnes Capital, based in Paris but with tentacles reaching across Europe, isn’t exactly new on the block. They’ve been around since ’99, which, in tech years, is practically ancient. But what sets them apart from your run-of-the-mill investment firm is their laser focus on deeptech and the energy transition. They’re not just looking for a quick buck; they’re supposedly backing entrepreneurs who are tackling massive global problems. Think climate change, security threats, the whole shebang.
Their strategy seems to be to position themselves as key to France’s deeptech ambitions. They actively hunt for and support startups that are pushing boundaries. Think AI, quantum computing, new space technologies – the kind of stuff that makes your head spin.
With the Real Tech funds and other projects, they’re managing around €650 million. To keep the momentum going, the Omnes Real Tech 2 fund is set to inject capital into defense, security, AI, and advanced materials. Omnes Real Tech 2 hopes to secure €200 million by 2026. In 2020 they closed the Omnes Real Tech fund with €130 million.
The other part of their strategy is fundraising as evidenced by the €800 million Capenergie 5 fund.
Deeptech: Deep Pockets Required
Now, let’s talk about deeptech itself. This isn’t your average app or social media platform. We’re talking about technologies that are based on serious scientific or engineering breakthroughs. These ventures often require massive upfront investments and years of research before they even sniff profitability.
Omnes seems to understand this, which is why they’re taking a long-term approach. They’re willing to wait for these technologies to mature, which is pretty rare in the fast-paced world of venture capital. Their portfolio includes companies like Quantum Systems (drones) and The Exploration Company (spacecraft), which tells you they’re not afraid to bet big on risky ventures.
Their involvement with the TIBI Initiative shows they want to boost the French deeptech ecosystem. They are backing the development of innovative technologies with strategic importance. All these factors put Omnes in the center of the national deeptech strategy.
The Broader Ecosystem: More Than Just Money
But Omnes isn’t just throwing money at startups. They’re also actively involved in the broader investment ecosystem. They invest in fund-of-funds, like those managed by Access Capital Partners, which means they’re supporting the growth of the entire private equity industry. The European Investment Bank’s European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is helping Omnes as well.
Also, their recent investments include €25 million in Aventim and a €130 million Series A funding round for Proxima Fusion. This last company is building a fusion power plant based on stellarator tech. They see themselves as supporting disruptive technologies with the potential to solve world problems.
What’s really interesting is that they’ve recently streamlined their operations, ditching their small and mid-cap activities to focus solely on energy transition and innovation. That’s a pretty bold move, and it suggests they’re really betting big on these two sectors.
The Verdict: Legit or Just Another Money Grab?
So, what’s the final verdict? Is Omnes Capital a genuine force for good, or just another bunch of suits trying to cash in on the latest hype? The truth, as always, is probably somewhere in between.
On the one hand, their commitment to deeptech and energy transition is definitely admirable. They’re backing companies that are tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges, and they’re taking a long-term approach that’s crucial for success in these sectors.
On the other hand, let’s not forget that this is still a private equity firm. Their primary goal is to make money, and they’re not going to invest in anything that doesn’t have the potential to generate a significant return. And while they talk about “societal impact,” let’s be real, that’s often just marketing fluff.
But here’s the thing: even if their motives aren’t purely altruistic, their investments could still have a positive impact on the world. If they can help bring these deeptech innovations to market, they could create jobs, boost economic growth, and solve some of our most pressing problems.
So, while I’m always skeptical of these big investment firms, I’m cautiously optimistic about Omnes Capital. They seem to be doing something genuinely interesting, and their focus on deeptech could be a game-changer for the European economy. Let’s just hope they don’t forget about the “deep” part and get too caught up in the “tech” hype. Only time will tell, folks. Mia, over and out!
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