Who we are

Claret Capital Partners is a leading independent growth debt fund manager. Since 2013, we have invested over €1.2 billion, supporting more than 190 SMEs across diverse geographies within the technology, life sciences and climate tech sectors. With over 25 years of experience in technology financing, our team brings deep expertise and a strong track record to every partnership.

“Our strategy is to provide the extra bit of rocket fuel forms of finance that companies need to realise their potential.”

David Bateman
Managing Partner

We provide tailored growth capital to innovative technology, life sciences and climate tech companies across Europe, offering the flexibility and support needed to fuel growth – without compromising equity or long-term vision.

Our approach is nimble and transparent. We move quickly through a streamlined process, offering clear, founder-friendly terms. Each funding solution is tailored to meet the unique needs of the business – whether accelerating product development, funding acquisitions, extending runway, or navigating strategic milestones.

Beyond capital, we provide strategic guidance and hands-on support, actively leveraging our extensive network to facilitate valuable introductions, and ensuring the companies we back have the relationships and resources they need to succeed.

We invest for lasting impact – on the founders, their teams, and the investors who trust us with their capital.

What we do

Our funds support high growth businesses with proven management teams seeking less dilutive capital to drive their continued ambitions.

Loans typically range from €2 million to €100 million, with each opportunity carefully evaluated on a case-by-case basis by our experienced investment professionals. We provide bespoke advisory and fund management services across a range of funds. As a long-term partner, through our funds we try to re-lend to the businesses we back, supporting their growth through every stage of the journey.

We play a supporting role, and our investment is a signal we trust yours and the board’s decision making, and focus on the quality of interactions rather than quantity. In addition to capital, our team brings access to an extensive network across the technology and life sciences investment ecosystem.

Capital can be used to fund:

  • Organic growth
  • Acquisitions
  • Capital expenditure
  • Working capital
  • Research and development
  • Geographical expansion
  • Marketing and distribution channel maximisation
  • Bridge loans extending cash runway to the next capital round
  • And can support various forms of recapitalization
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Funds launched to date.
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Countries invested across
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Years' experience in technology financing markets

Our Sector Focus

“We’re proud to back Europe’s most innovative tech leaders and to work alongside top-tier equity investors. Our team is constantly seeking out visionary entrepreneurs shaping the future of technology.”

Johan Kampe
Managing Partner

Technology

We back the ambition behind Europe’s next generation of tech leaders. With a strong track record and deep sector expertise, we support the innovative companies that are shaping the future – investing across software, marketplaces, consumer internet, fintech, and hardware.

Partnering with founders across the tech landscape, we support them in turning bold ideas into market-defining businesses.

Life Sciences

From therapeutics and medical devices to diagnostics and digital health, we understand the complex journeys that life sciences companies face, and are proud to support these businesses with flexible non-dilutive funding that adapts to their pace and ambitions.

In recent years, we have partnered with more than 20 life sciences companies helping management teams drive innovation and create long-term value. Our streamlined approach enables us to move quickly, whether supporting clinical progress, scaling operations, or extending runway ahead of key milestones. By working closely with stakeholders, we help teams navigate pivotal moments and reach their next stage of growth.

Climate and impact

As global awareness of environmental and social issues grows, so does the potential for meaningful investments in the climate and impact sector. With a growing portfolio of climate and impact investments, we are proud to back the ambitious teams using science, technology, and scalable business models to tackle environmental and social issues at their core.

Together, we aim to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.

Investing in Europe's leading disruptive businesses.
Portfolio

Further Reading

FAQS

What is venture debt?

Venture debt is a type of loan for early-stage startups that provides liquidity between or as a complement to funding rounds. Compared to more traditional equity finance, venture debt allows entrepreneurs and their shareholders to grow their companies while minimising dilution.

When is venture debt applicable for a business?

At a high level (although this is not a hard and fast rule) businesses which might suit the instrument are revenue generating, can demonstrate sustained growth in those revenues, and have a clear product market fit. These companies should have good business models with nice margins and pricing power, and can also ideally present decent levels of forecastability in their P/L. The majority – but not all – of these companies are VC or equity backed.

What are the typical use cases for venture debt?

There are multiple use cases. For example, to support organic growth, i.e. funding the organic burn of a business so that it grows its revenues as quickly as possible and therefore scales the enterprise valuation of the company, or to fund M&A, where the leading tech players in a market look to consolidate others and finance the acquisition of such targets without raising equity.

What is the benefit for the company?

Venture debt is an attractive financing option for management teams seeking to extend their runway, lower their cost of capital and keep growth momentum. When used correctly, it fuels sustainable growth and helps to maximise value creation.

Venture debt provides access to financing that is used to get a business from one value point in its journey to the next, with less dilution along the way than if it used equity. These companies can then either raise an equity round 12-24 months later at a much higher valuation (i.e. saving a lot more dilution for the shareholders than if they had used equity instead of the debt), or they may be bridged all the way to profitability, or even to an exit, thus avoiding raising more expensive capital at all.

Alongside lower dilution and a lower cost of capital from day one, it therefore also helps the shareholders to optimise the timing of their future capital raises, and allows those same early shareholders to retain control and governance of the business.

What is your typical investment structure?

Claret Capital Partners’ funds provide financing to growth-stage European companies with strong management and proven revenue traction in substantial markets. We fund cash burning and negative EBITDA companies and profitability is not a requirement.

Typical investment structure:

  • Senior loans secured on business assets only
  • Loans typically have a maturity of 3-5 years and are usually amortising. These can also be tranched to fit your cash flow requirements
  • We include an equity participation to enable us to participate in your future success

What industries do Claret specialise in?

We invest across a broad range of sectors, with a focus on businesses where innovation drives success. Our portfolio includes companies in technology, cleantech, sustainability, and life sciences. We’re open to any sector where strong margins and growth are built on breakthrough ideas and forward-thinking solutions.

Looking to raise €2-100m in growth funding?
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