NICE

We invest in 3 stages We start to support companies at Seed stage and invest in Series A, B, and beyond. We unite 3 groups of select, like-minded stakeholders European Founders We are looking for teams in the GSA & CEE region with the clear intention to make a difference in the world Leading Global VCs We co-invest in syndicates with Tier 1 funds (eg. Forbes’ Midas List) with the ability to proactively support these teams Regional Fund Investors (LPs) We are backed by investors who choose to focus on best-in-class teams and who share our vision of driving the European startup ecosystem forward A strong entrepreneurial DNA We are ambitious entrepreneurs at heart and we back our founders' vision on the basis of a strictly entrepreneurial mindset. A focus on quality, not quantity We are highly selective when it comes to our approach to partnership and always optimize for quality instead of quantity. A diverse team, acting as one. Being a diverse team of ambitious and passionate individuals, we always act as one: no hierarchies, no red tape, but a tight-knit operational skill set that profits from our varied fields of expertise. Which means: transparent communication and constructive criticism always.

Adyen operates a financial technology platform that processes €970.1 billion in payment volume annually for global enterprises including Meta, Uber, H&M, and Microsoft. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in the Netherlands, the company built a single unified system to handle payment acceptance, data management, and financial products - replacing the fragmented infrastructure that preceded it. The platform maintains a 99.999% uptime target across 28 offices supporting global commerce operations. The company's technical architecture centres on in-house engineering across payments processing, financial infrastructure, and high-availability systems. Adyen employs over 4,000 people representing 115+ nationalities, with technical capabilities spanning APIs, SDKs, machine learning, and MLOps. The platform serves clients across technology, mobility, retail, and enterprise software sectors, processing the first payments from Amsterdam and subsequently expanding to support cross-border transactions globally. Adyen's business model focuses on providing end-to-end capabilities through a single platform rather than modular third-party integrations. The company develops payment acceptance services, payment-related data management tools, and financial products for merchant clients. This approach reflects a long-term development strategy emphasising reliability and consolidated infrastructure over incremental feature additions.

WEX is a global commerce platform that simplifies the business of running a business through innovative financial technology solutions. Founded in 1983, the company has grown from a start-up into a leading provider of payment solutions serving millions of companies and customers worldwide. With more than 6,500 employees across the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and other regions, WEX operates at significant scale, processing billions in payments annually across its three core business segments. WEX's powerful ecosystem delivers specialized solutions for fuel and fleet management through over 50 fuel card products, employee benefits administration including HSAs, FSAs, and COBRA management, and corporate payments that help finance leaders make smarter decisions. The company's fuel cards are accepted at most gas stations and charging locations globally, while its benefits platform serves partners across multiple industries to maximize efficiencies. As a publicly traded company on the NYSE (WEX) with annual revenue exceeding $2.6 billion, WEX continues to transform how businesses manage payments, simplify complex operations, and drive growth across continents and industries.

While we love speedy success, we're acutely aware that greatness comes in many forms and at different times. That's why we're not afraid to break the mold to bring something spectacular to life. Our approach is personal. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, but there are a few absolutes intrinsic to who we are and how we work. And these values weren’t contrived out of thin air, they’re hard earned over the past 30 years and counting. High performance, low ego. The old adage “actions speak louder than words” rings true within Canaan’s walls, and in our interactions with companies out in the wild. Words like "understated" and "effective" are often used to describe our partners, and that’s fine by us. We’ll leave the bragging to the others. People are more than statistics. A diverse team means we bring varied perspectives to the table. And that table welcomes out-of-the-box thinking, spirited debate, and people from all walks of life. It’s our individual backgrounds and interests that inform our collective approach, which spans industries, generations, and coasts. In short, our diversity is who we are and what we do. We ask for help, and so should you. We firmly believe that two heads are better than one. So while our investors thrive in 1:1 partnerships, our companies also have the support of the entire Canaan team whenever, wherever. Recruiting your executive team? We’ll mobilize our full network. Need operational advice to bring a product to market? We’ll connect you with the right partner or colleague. Our resources are yours. The Golden Rule still applies. We treat you like we treat ourselves - with respect, transparency, and honesty - even if it’s sometimes not what you want to hear. It’s this approach that makes our portfolio companies more like family, because we’re not afraid to get in the weeds and help solve big hairy problems. In fact, it’s what we live for. We’re acutely aware that our success hinges on your success, so we do what it takes. We're in the know, not in the way. We’d be lying if we said we weren’t hands-on, but we also know when to step back and let you soar. Our goal is to add value to your process, and help you grow in ways you couldn’t alone. That’s why you’ll never see us booking meetings just to check a box or “see how are things are going.” We’ll already know, because that’s the kind of relationship we have with our companies.

Deel operates an integrated payroll and HR platform across 150+ countries, combining HRIS, compliance, benefits administration, and equipment management on proprietary infrastructure. Founded in 2019 by MIT graduates Alex Bouaziz and Shuo Wang, the company reached $1 billion in annual recurring revenue within five years and currently holds a $17.3 billion valuation. The platform is backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator. The company processed $11.2 billion in worker payments during 2024, supporting nearly 100 currencies and providing healthcare and benefits coverage across 109 countries. Deel's compliance infrastructure combines 2,000+ local experts with AI-powered workflows to manage labor law requirements across its operational footprint. The platform supports multiple employment models, including contractors, employer-of-record arrangements, and direct hires. Deel's technical approach centers on owned payroll infrastructure rather than third-party integrations, with AI capabilities embedded in compliance and payroll processing workflows. The company positions itself in the global employment services market, addressing administrative and regulatory barriers for distributed workforce management.