KOMPAS VC closes €160M fund to back startups digitizing and decarbonizing Europe’s manufacturing, construction, and logistics sectors.
KOMPAS VC has announced the final close of its second fund at €160 million, with participation from institutional investor Realdania. The fund targets startups modernizing physical industries like manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure, signaling a maturation of European industrial tech investment.
KOMPAS VC, a venture capital firm specializing in industrial technology, has successfully closed its second fund at €160 million. The fund, backed by Danish philanthropic foundation Realdania and existing investor VKR Holding, will continue the firm’s mission to digitize and decarbonize Europe’s physical industries.
A €160M Vote of Confidence in Industrial Tech
Founded in 2021 by Sebastian Peck, Talia Rafaeli, and Andreas Winter-Extra, KOMPAS VC has quickly established itself as a leading investor in startups that bridge the gap between innovation and legacy infrastructure. With €300 million now under management, the firm is one of Europe’s largest dedicated industrial tech funds. According to Peck, the new fund will allow KOMPAS to support “the next wave of companies building the backbone of a sustainable, efficient industrial future.”
Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Legacy
KOMPAS invests across industrial software, robotics, cybersecurity, and technologies that improve the design, operation, and maintenance of physical assets. The portfolio includes Array Labs (3D mapping), Arvist (construction robots), AXZ (cybersecurity), Backslash (industrial software), Epoch Biodesign (protein design), Tibo Energy (energy management), and UMH (robotics). These companies address what the firm calls “operational friction” in sectors that are often slow to adopt new technologies.
Decarbonisation as a Core Thesis
The fund’s focus aligns with EU Green Deal goals. Manufacturing accounts for roughly 20% of Europe’s GDP and a significant share of carbon emissions. KOMPAS targets startups that reduce emissions through efficiency, electrification, and circular economy principles. Realdania’s involvement underscores the long-term societal impact of such investments. “We are proud to support KOMPAS in their mission to accelerate the green transition of physical industries,” said a Realdania spokesperson.
The European Advantage
Compared to US industrial VCs, European funds like KOMPAS benefit from a strong manufacturing base, deep engineering talent, and supportive regulatory frameworks. The continent’s complex supply chains and ambitious decarbonization targets create unique opportunities for startups that can navigate these dynamics. KOMPAS plans to continue investing from seed to Series B across Europe and North America, with seven deals already completed from Fund II.
What’s Next for KOMPAS and Industrial Tech
With the new capital, KOMPAS is well-positioned to scale its thesis. The firm expects increased deal flow as traditional industries face pressure to modernize. “We see a massive opportunity in digitising the physical world,” said Rafaeli. “Our portfolio companies are proof that sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.” As Europe pushes for net-zero by 2050, funds like KOMPAS provide the necessary fuel for industrial transformation.
