Paris-based venture capital firm AXA Venture Partners has completed a management buyout from AXA and rebranded as Atlantic Vantage Point (AVP).
Founded in 2016, the VC firm will now operate as an independent private investment company. AVP plans to maintain its collaboration with AXA and continue its existing partnerships.
AVP has introduced a new brand identity to reflect its ongoing operations and presence in both Europe and North America. This change aligns with its goal to support entrepreneurs in these regions.
EIF joins as an anchor investor
In addition to the rebranding and management buyout, AVP announced that the European Investment Fund (EIF) has joined AXA as an anchor investor in AVP Growth Fund I.
EIF’s investment, part of the European Tech Champions Initiative, supports funds exceeding €1B that invest in later-stage technology companies. AVP is the only transatlantic platform selected by EIF for this initiative.
François Robinet, Managing Partner at AVP, says, “Today marks an impressive milestone for AVP and our team, and ushers in an exciting new chapter for our firm. We are deeply thankful to AXA for the incredible continuous support in many dimensions in the last ten years.”
“AXA will continue to be a key partner and we are very honoured that George Stansfield, Deputy-CEO of AXA, has accepted to remain Chairman of our Board. We look forward to ensuring continuity for our investors and the entrepreneurs we back, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among our team, and putting performance and excellence at the heart of our operations.”
“We are also very pleased and honoured to have EIF, as an anchor investor as part of the European Tech Champions Initiative in our Growth fund to support an underserved part of the growing tech market in Europe. Through our multi-stage platform, we now have the capacity to support outstanding entrepreneurs along their journey, from early stages to IPO, in Europe and in North America. We will strive with our Growth fund to be “best-in-class” for our investors by nurturing the best possible tech companies.”
The EIF investment is driving the progress of AVP’s Growth Fund I, which has completed three transactions over the past year, including Agicap and Odoo.
The fund aims to fill a market gap in Europe by providing a tech investment platform focused on growth-stage companies. It offers European entrepreneurs an option distinct from US growth funds and sovereign wealth funds.
Marjut Falkstedt, EIF Chief Executive, says, “We are delighted to be able to support AVP’s scaling strategy through the ETCI initiative to secure financing for future European leaders who have understood how technology can be used to create value.”
“ETCI was designed to provide significant backing for major European funds, and a player such as AVP is in a strong position, thanks to its experience and performance, to contribute to the emergence of European leaders in key sectors for the future.”
ETCI boosts the European investor market
The European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI) is a programme focused on supporting technological innovation and growth in Europe’s tech ecosystem.
Managed by the European Investment Fund, ETCI aims to empower European tech companies through strategic investments, partnerships, and mentorship, helping shape the future of technology and drive Europe’s digital transformation.
Since launching in 2023, the ETCI has made an impact on the European investor market and tech ecosystem. The initiative has committed over €2.2B to 9 scale-up technology funds, aiming to mobilise €10B in public and private resources for investments in tech companies.
These funds have supported European companies in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, financial technology, biotechnology, and healthcare.
ETCI helps address the financing needs of European tech scale-ups, preventing them from relocating abroad and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness.
Additionally, it contributes to the integration of European financial markets and showcases the EIB Group’s role in advancing the Capital Markets Union.
George Stansfield, AXA Deputy CEO, says, “We are proud to have built such a strong and successful platform over 10 years of close collaboration, to the point where AVP is now ready to operate independently. It’s a major milestone for AVP and I am sure that the AVP team will continue the strong journey they have started within AXA. We look forward to maintaining our excellent and unique relationship and continuing to drive attractive returns for AXA.”
“We are also delighted that EIF joins us as an anchor investor in AVP’s new Growth Fund. Joining forces with such a prestigious investor will allow AVP to launch a unique fund in Europe, dedicated to the financing of large growth-stage tech companies offering an opportunity for a new European platform to tap an attractive market, which has historically been led by US-based funds.”
Brief about AVP
AVP is an independent global investment platform focused on high-growth tech companies in Europe and North America. It manages over €2.5B across four investment strategies: venture, early growth, growth, and fund of funds.
Since its founding in 2016, AVP has invested in over 60 tech companies and 60 funds. In addition to providing equity capital, AVP’s expansion team supports founders with expertise, connections, and resources to drive growth and create value through collaborations.
