Partnering with founders who build enduring companies.
Why we invest.
Today, we are in the early stages of a Cambrian explosion of new technologies, powered by next generation AI and Spatial Computing and by the accelerating convergence of computing into the physical world and onto the human body. Humans will become smarter, richer, healthier and happier, powered by the amazing innovations of scientists, technologists, creators and entrepreneurs. This is an extraordinary investment opportunity as well as an exciting time to be alive.
Where we invest.
HIRO Capital invests in AI, Spatial Computing, Autonomy, Robotics, Longevity, Augmentation, Games, Simulation and Space & Defense technologies, with a special focus on entrepreneurs and innovators in the broadly defined Europe+ region. For us, Europe+ extends from the EU, UK, Norway and Switzerland through to Ukraine, Turkey and Israel.
HIRO is a Multi-Stage investor, active from Series A through Series C and Scaleup.
We back ambitious entrepreneurial teams, building innovative technologies and content with a strongly differentiated proposition and the scaling opportunity to become very large.
We are VC tech investors who are also battle-scarred entrepreneurs. Our USP is the entrepreneurial scar tissue on our backs.
We have co-founded and backed more than $10bn of extraordinary games, IP and technology companies. We love to work with ambitious founders whom our scale-up experience can genuinely help.
What we offer each other.
We are very proactive investors. We do not sit back and shut up. We have a hands-on engagement model with the founder entrepreneurs in our portfolio built on a relationship of trust, expertise and radical candour. Our approach may not work for everyone — if you want a silent and passive investor, look elsewhere.
Our Commitments
Founders can expect
- Help and support We have skills, experience and networks which we are happy to share. If we can help, and you want us to, then we will.
- A thoughtful sounding board It's your business and the decisions are yours. We don't mind if you disagree with us — discussion and debate are good things.
- Candid feedback We'll challenge your vision, your prioritisation, your progress — that's our job — but ultimately we'll do everything we can to help you achieve your goals.
- Loyalty — through the good and the bad Everyone makes mistakes; the important thing is to learn from them. Ultimately we are only as successful as you are — our futures are aligned.
Your Commitments
HIRO expects
- Have a plan and share it with us Document the strategic goals, cash runway and key milestones for your business.
- Have regular, scheduled catch-ups Formal boards every 2–3 months. Informal check-ins every few weeks.
- Help us engage with you constructively Share board materials early and in an agreed format. Discuss strategic questions and points of uncertainty. Encourage connections between our teams.
- Be receptive to input Listen to and consider outside perspectives. Be open minded rather than defensive. Receive it as it's intended — our only incentive is for you to be successful.
- Radical candour Full transparency. No secrets — deliver potential bad news early. Tell it like it is.
How we operate.
Tech as a Force for Good
We believe that technology can be a general force for good. We do not invest in toxic or addictive tech or content. We invest in new technology that is positive.
Motivated by Learning
Doing science, innovating technology, developing code, running simulations, playing games and sports all flow from a single evolutionary purpose: the curious human's need to learn, model and improve reality so as to level up our intelligence and prosperity.
Creative Community
Many of the best technologies allow people to come together to have constructive and good-humoured fun and to play, create and express themselves. We look for those platforms.
Inclusive
The HIRO team is mixed in sex, nationality, religion, sexuality, ethnicity, education and age. We are strongly inclusive and we like teams and tech with an open, hybrid mix.
Digital to Physical Convergence
We love the physical world as well as the digital. We are fascinated by tech that brings computing into the physical world and onto the human body — tech that gets people out of their living rooms and into the world.
Honourable
We aim to be good people and we like to work with and invest in good people.