After launching earlier this year, Global Founders Capital, which counts Rocket Internet’s Oliver Samwer as one of three partners, has finally announced its first three investments. In addition to investing UK dress rental service GirlMeetsDress.com & Berlin-based language-learning platform Lingoda.com (previously rumored on Venture Village), GFC has invested $5 Million in Paris-based Videdressing, founded by US web entrepreneur Meryl Job.
UPDATE: the offical press release reads “…has committed more than US$ 5 million in its first 3 deals,” which, given the German tendency suggests a total of an ambiguous “more than $5M” in all three investments, not $5M in each investment”
The €150M fund launched earlier this year, declaring that they would “invest in all rounds,” though these first 3 investments all consist of $5M investment, a high series A or low Series B investment in Europe. The fund promises to invest worldwide, says partner Fabien Siegel, though the partners’ European positinoing may ultimately play a factor; I don’t think that Rocket Internet’s worldwide reach will help them here.
‘We are thrilled to welcome Global Founders Capital as a new investor in our company and are eager to benefit from their experience in quickly and successfully scaling businesses internationally’ – Meryl Job, co-Founder and CEO of Videdressing.com.
Regardless of what you think of Samwer’s previous activities, the guy knows eCommerce, and he knows execution. Investment in these three self-service platforms, two of which are heavily focused in fashion ecommerce, will undoubtedly bring Samwer’s knowledge & experience to the table.
“We are really excited about our first investments because they reflect our conviction to invest fast, globally at various stages and specifically on large consumer facing opportunities where we can leverage our global network to the benefit of our portfolio companies.” – Fabian Siegel, Partner at GFC