Backbone Ventures

Backbone Ventures, despite a user-provided Sydney, Australia location, is consistently identified through web research as an early-stage venture capital firm primarily headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with an additional presence in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Established in 2018, the firm initially operated by investing on a deal-by-deal basis, backing 26 teams across Switzerland, Germany, the US, and Israel over four years. Since September 2022, Backbone Ventures has predominantly invested through its Backbone Ventures 5502 Fund, a EUR 20 million pre-seed fund with a strong geographical focus on Germany and Switzerland.

The firm positions itself as a crucial partner for founders, aiming to support startups that can benefit future generations. They go beyond simply providing capital, offering comprehensive support that includes strategy development, product creation, assistance with external funding, roadmap planning, financial guidance, and pitching. Backbone Ventures distinguishes itself through its commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, actively seeking to empower underrepresented founders, often referred to as 'Glass Ceiling Breakers', based on gender, origin, or socioeconomic background.

Backbone Ventures serves early-stage startups within the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and Israel, focusing on innovative Information and Communications Technology (ICT), FoodTech, and other disruptive technologies. Their investment thesis is centred on backing exceptional founders as early as possible in their entrepreneurial journey, even when they present with just a pitch deck or an initial idea, provided they target a sufficiently large market and possess the requisite skills. The firm's portfolio showcases a diverse range of companies, with notable investments in sectors like Enterprise Applications and Food and Agriculture Tech. As of March 2026, Backbone Ventures has invested in 46 companies, with 6 new investments in the preceding 12 months, and their portfolio has seen four acquisitions.

Key leadership within Backbone Ventures includes partners such as Josef Ming, a former global board member of Bain & Company and CEO of KKR Capstone, who brings extensive experience in private equity. The team also comprises individuals like Mark Hoffmann, with over 15 years of experience in digital business models, and Marcel Kubli, a serial entrepreneur and investor. This blend of operational, strategic, and investment expertise allows Backbone Ventures to offer holistic support, striving to be a trusted partner for emerging ventures and justifying the confidence placed in them by both investors and founders.