News

1/12/2024
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20
min read

Macro and Market update 2023 – “Is this hangover finally over?”

In this update we will provide you with our assessment and view on the current macro and market environment, highlighting key changes, and how this has been impacting public and private investments.
1/10/2024
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8
min read

OpenOcean Forecast: Trends & Predictions to Watch in 2024

Every year, the OpenOcean team compiles its investment insights for the upcoming year by closely analysing the evolving global economic landscape and the technology developments of the previous year. Reflecting on 2023, it’s impossible not to mention the transformative and groundbreaking impact of Generative AI on the technology industry, affecting not just end-users but also many larger companies that have successfully integrated Large Language Models (LLMs) into their existing products and processes, thereby speeding up the digitalisation and automation of societies at large. 
10/24/2023
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5
min read

From AI Surge to Unicorns: The State of Enterprise Automation in 2023

Our Enterprise Automation Map 2023 offers an extensive overview of the ever-expanding landscape of enterprise automation software, featuring a selection of over 810 enterprise automation companies, boasting valuations exceeding $100M.
9/12/2023
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3
min read

OpenOcean x Oxford's Saïd Business School: Why We Created O³, Startup Insights Platform

OpenOcean, in partnership with Oxford's Saïd Business School, has launched O³, an open-access startup insights platform aimed at fostering a data-driven startup ecosystem. Historically, the tech industry has struggled with transparency, leading policymakers, investors, and startups to base decisions on partial information. O³ addresses this gap by providing comprehensive data about startups, their technologies, market strategies, and more. This collaboration of Saïd Business School's research with OpenOcean's know-how offers unmatched insights for evaluating startups and understanding market shifts.
6/28/2023
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4
min read

OpenOcean ESG Report 2023: ESG Maturity at an All-Time High

We are now happy to share the results of our 5th annual ESG report with you to unpack the current ESG statistics of our portfolio companies and to establish transparently where and how we must continue to collectively push for greater progress. This year we achieved a 100% response rate and the survey was based on our internally developed ESG Starter Pack.
5/16/2023
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1
min read

Meet the OpenOcean Team in Spring/Summer 2023 Events

The OpenOcean Helsinki and London teams will attend various spring and summer events around Europe. We're on a mission to unite with entrepreneurs, professionals, and fellow investors to exchange and discuss new ideas and dive into exciting business opportunities – on and off the stage.
5/3/2023
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3
min read

"You can either retain your culture or have hyper-growth - getting both is a fool's choice.” – A Q&A with our Operating Advisor Kulpreet Singh

In this Q&A blog post, we have the pleasure of featuring Kulpreet Singh, OpenOcean's Operating Advisor since 2018. Kulpreet joined the team after a successful tenure at UiPath, the world's leading robotic process automation (RPA) software. We dive into Kulpreet's insights on company growth, common challenges fast-growing tech companies face, and essential qualities for startups aiming to make their mark globally.
4/27/2023
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1
min read

"London needs to demonstrate why it remains the best place for firms to raise funds and grow their business" – Naureen Zahid's Letter to the City AM Editor

OpenOcean's Investor Relations Director Naureen Zahid's Letter to the Editor was published today on City AM.
3/29/2023
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4
min read

Hygraph Raises $30M Series B Funding Round for Federated Content Platform

OpenOcean portfolio company Hygraph, a leading federated content platform, announced the closure of a $30 million Series B funding round led by One Peak. OpenOcean is delighted to continue to be part of the journey since it led Hygraph’s Series A, and welcomes the participation of both existing and new investors, including Peak, SquareOne, and business angel Boris Lokschin, Co-Founder and CEO of Spryker Systems.
External news

Exploring 2023 Automation Market Map: OpenOcean’s 13 New Unicorns

OpenOcean, a prominent European software and deep technology Venture Capital (VC) firm, has revealed thirteen nascent unicorns, denoting companies with a valuation soaring beyond the illustrious $1 billion mark. This unveiling comes as a part of OpenOcean’s 2023 Automation Market Map, a comprehensive compass designed to illuminate the intricate terrain of the enterprise automation software realm.

External news

OpenOcean releases 2023 edition of automation market map, spotlights $13.5B raised by sector in H1 2023

Helsinki and London-based VC firm OpenOcean has updated its automation market map, adding over 100 companies from the year prior. The firm curates a collection of over 810 automation companies, each valued at over $100 million, but also includes a number of early-stage startups that they deem most promising, all with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the enterprise automation software sector.

External news

‘Tech VC funding is and always has been a boys’ club’

For the past number of years, Ekaterina Almasque has dedicated herself to advocating for women in the venture capital industry. She is a co-founder of European Women in VC, an advocacy group she helped set up with a group of women who were equally frustrated with the blocks preventing talented women from breaking into the scene.

External news

From the Ashes of Tech Nation, Rises Tech Nation 2.0 for UK SMEs

“Tech Nation 2.0 will be especially important for deep tech firms in fields like quantum technology. These companies have timelines measured in decades. They rely on targeted incentives and funding from the government to ensure continued progress is made. Furthermore, we need to establish the right procedures to guide visionary founders with innovative software concepts from initial whiteboard sketches all the way to becoming publicly listed companies in Piccadilly Square.”

External news

Tech industry hits out at plans to limit UK’s AI Safety Summit to 100 delegates

Ekaterina Almasque, general partner at deep tech venture capital company OpenOcean said key players in the industry should have a seat at the table, but excluding prominent start-ups risks decisions being made without critical input from those at the frontlines. “To properly regulate AI in a way that fosters innovation, we need to make every effort to connect investors, startups, and policymakers,” she says. “This involves increasing R&D budgets, creating sovereign funds to support strategic initiatives, and attracting top talent into start-ups. However, we cannot adequately take these steps without the presence and perspective of the startups themselves.”

External news

The era of lean unicorns

Right now, we’re entering an era of lean unicorns powered by AI and a modular approach to building a business. A recent Sifted article, featuring our GP Ekaterina Almasque, delved into this new, emerging age, shaped by rising interest rates and cautious VCs. As market conditions continue to stay uncertain, founders must use their resources wisely. New solutions are paving the way for leaner startups, with AI tools at the forefront. However, their use should be taken with a grain of salt.

External news

Letter: How university spinouts can win more investment

In a recent article, the Financial Times reported a decline in funding for UK university spinouts, marking the first decrease in a decade. Ekaterina Almasque's letter highlighted the critical challenges faced by UK university spinouts.

External news

A policy for the future: Investigating UK government R&D investment

The vibrant start-up ecosystem in the UK makes it a premier investment destination for global capital, fueling innovation and contributing to robust economic growth. Raising £24 billion ($29bn) in 2022, the UK tech sector leads Europe and ranks third globally. However, sustaining this success requires a clear R&D support strategy.

External news

Venture capital: Evaluating the risk profile of investments

The heart of a venture capital fund’s strategy is to feed investors’ capital into high-growth, early-stage companies with the potential to expand rapidly and deliver high returns. However, a company’s ability to deliver the kind of growth that generates outsized returns usually has a risk profile to match. So how do VCs think about risk in order to protect their investor’s interests?