360 Capital, a European venture capital firm, has closed €85 million for Poli360 2,
its new technology transfer fund targeting a total size of €100 million. The
fund focuses on early-stage deeptech startups.
Poli360
2 is classified as an Article 8 fund under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure
Regulation (SFDR). Its investor base includes the European Investment Fund, CDP
Venture Capital, Italian pension funds, family offices and corporate investors
such as Brembo, MBDA and Lucchini RS.
Poli360
2 continues the strategy established by Poli360 1, which has supported a
portfolio of 20 companies, including Energy Dome, Isaac, Phononic Vibes,
PhotonPath, Inxpect and Equixly. The new fund will invest in collaboration with
leading universities and research centres, with plans to complete 20 to 25
investments. At least 80 per cent of the capital will be deployed in Italy,
with the remainder allocated to opportunities across Europe.
The
fund’s investment strategy focuses on two main areas: Industry Automation and
Sustainability. Industry Automation includes fields such as robotics, Industry
4.0, semiconductors, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, IoT,
infrastructure, industrial machinery and information technology. In
Sustainability, the focus is on new materials, energy transition and the
circular economy.
According
to Alessandro Zaccaria, Partner at 360 Capital, the fund reinforces the firm’s
commitment to translating research from Italy and across Europe into globally
competitive companies through collaboration with academic institutions,
research centres, and founders.
By
working side by side with universities, research centres, and founders, we aim
to support the next generation of deeptech companies shaping the technological
landscape of the coming decade.
said Zaccaria.
Founded
in 1997, 360 Capital operates from offices in Milan and Paris and invests in
early-stage European startups across deeptech, climate tech and digital
sectors. The firm has backed more than 170 companies and has recorded recent
exits, including Preligens, acquired by Safran in 2024, and Exotec.