Varsity
Varsity Capital is a Paris-based, AMF-authorized seed venture capital firm that selects 30 startups per fund cycle and routes them into top-tier VC portfolios, while operating a Getro-powered job board and talent network across its 16+ portfolio companies in EMEA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Varsity does
Varsity Capital is a Paris-based early-stage venture capital firm operating under French société par actions simplifiée status with AMF authorization n° GP-202312 and a stated share capital of €500,000. Founded in 2023 and operating with 1–10 employees from 24 rue de Caumartin (75009 Paris), the firm runs an "NBA draft"-style seed fund that selects 30 startups per cycle and positions them for placement into the portfolios of leading early-stage VCs. Its disclosed portfolio spans 16+ companies across quantum computing (C12 Quantum Electronics), fintech/private wealth (RockFi), regtech (Kalipso), AI infrastructure and tooling (Kog, Revo, Equos, Mizou), IoT (Sensinov), shipping and commodities (Pharaday), mobile gaming (Quiet, Hoora Games), data platforms (Tamtam), and startup investing (Akka).
The firm's revenue model follows standard European VC mechanics — management fees on committed capital plus carried interest on realized exits — with no disclosed pricing of services to portfolio companies (investments are made in exchange for equity, not fees). Beyond capital deployment, Varsity operates a broader ecosystem platform: a Getro-powered job board covering 16 portfolio companies, a Talent Network for job seekers, the TalentLetter newsletter, a Karma Driven media property, and a Spotify podcast, functioning as both talent services for portfolio companies and brand-building channels for sourcing new investments.
Geographically, Varsity is anchored in France but has executed deals across broader EMEA, including the UK, Spain (Kalipso), Italy, and the Netherlands, signaling a pan-European seed mandate. Confirmed investment activity includes leading Kalipso's $3.2M seed round (June 2026) and participating in RockFi's €18M Series A led by Partech (March 2025), indicating both lead-investor capability at seed and selective follow-on participation. No acquisitions, M&A activity, or institutional fundraising rounds for Varsity itself are disclosed in the available data.
Varsity firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Varsity
- Legal name
- Varsity Capital
- Website
- https://varsity.vc
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Varsity Capital is a Paris-based, AMF-authorized seed venture capital firm that selects 30 startups per fund cycle and routes them into top-tier VC portfolios, while operating a Getro-powered job board and talent network across its 16+ portfolio companies in EMEA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Varsity industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Seed-stage Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Other Financial Investment Activities (5239)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B) (FSANAAAB)
Keywords
Where Varsity is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Varsity business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Management fees: VC firms typically charge management fees on committed capital to cover operational expenses.
- Carried interest (performance fees): Varsity earns carried interest on profits from successful portfolio company exits.
- Portfolio company returns: Returns generated through equity stakes in portfolio companies, realized through IPOs, acquisitions, or secondary sales.
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Varsity product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Varsity Capital is a Paris-based venture capital firm that runs a seed fund selecting 30 startups annually using an NBA-draft-style process, then channels those companies into the portfolios of leading early-stage VCs. The firm also operates a Getro-powered job board and talent network that connects its portfolio companies with prospective employees. Varsity holds AMF authorization (n° GP-202312) and invests across European seed-stage companies in sectors including quantum computing, AI, fintech, IoT, gaming, and streaming.
Product overview
Varsity operates as a venture capital firm with two core offerings: a seed fund that selects 30 startups annually (modeled after the NBA draft) to propel into top VC portfolios, and a job board platform powered by Getro that connects portfolio companies with talent. The portfolio includes 16+ companies spanning quantum computing, AI platforms, fintech, IoT, gaming, and streaming technology sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Varsity Seed Fund An annual seed-stage venture fund that selects 30 startups per cycle using an NBA-draft-style process and then propels those startups into the portfolios of the world's best early-stage VCs. Targeted at seed-stage European founders across deep tech, fintech, AI, IoT, gaming, and streaming.
- Varsity Job Board A talent recruitment platform powered by Getro that connects Varsity's portfolio companies with prospective job seekers, featuring company profiles, job listings, and a talent network. Targeted at portfolio company hiring needs and job seekers interested in Varsity-backed startups.
- Varsity Talent Network A talent discovery and connection service that allows job seekers to join and be introduced to opportunities at Varsity portfolio companies. Targeted at job seekers interested in working with Varsity-backed startups.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30 startups selected per seed fund cycle
Companies that use Varsity
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Varsity technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Varsity partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Varsity competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Station F: Paris-based startup campus and ecosystem operator that connects founders to early-stage investors. Adjacent to Varsity's Paris-based ecosystem and deal-flow role rather than a direct investment competitor.
Direct peers
- Fly Ventures: Berlin-based pre-seed/seed fund investing in technical European founders. Similar small-team, thesis-driven seed posture as Varsity's 30-pick model.
- Speedinvest: Vienna-based early-stage VC with sector-focused funds across Europe. Comparable in stage (seed), geography (European), and portfolio approach to Varsity's NBA-draft model.
- Seedcamp: European seed fund known for high-volume, cohort-style early investing. Their "first cheque" model parallels Varsity's 30-startup NBA-draft framing in structure and ambition.
- Partech: Paris-headquartered venture firm investing across seed to growth in Europe and Africa. Varsity co-invested in Partech-led RockFi Series A, making them a directly comparable European early-stage partner.
- Kima Ventures: Paris-based early-stage VC making many small seed investments, frequently co-investing with Varsity. Both run high-volume, broad-sector European seed strategies with a similar follower posture.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Global accelerator/seed investor with strong European presence. Co-invested alongside Varsity in Kalipso and runs a comparable high-volume, sector-spanning seed approach.
- Earlybird Venture Capital: One of Europe's longest-standing early-stage VCs, based in Berlin/Munich. Comparable stage profile and European-only concentration as Varsity.
- Connect Ventures: London-based pre-seed and seed investor focused on European founders. Comparable fund size, stage, and European-only mandate to Varsity.
- LocalGlobe: London-based seed and pre-seed investor taking concentrated positions in early-stage European founders. Closely comparable in stage and European footprint to Varsity.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Varsity social profiles
Digital presenceVarsity compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Varsity financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Varsity leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Varsity funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Varsity M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments11 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Varsity
What does Varsity do?
Varsity Capital is a Paris-based venture capital firm that runs a seed fund selecting 30 startups annually using an NBA-draft-style process, then channels those companies into the portfolios of leading early-stage VCs. The firm also operates a Getro-powered job board and talent network that connects its portfolio companies with prospective employees. Varsity holds AMF authorization (n° GP-202312) and invests across European seed-stage companies in sectors including quantum computing, AI, fintech, IoT, gaming, and streaming.
Is Varsity a public or private company?
Varsity is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Varsity founded?
Varsity was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Varsity based?
Varsity is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Varsity make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Management fees are the primary driver. The others are carried interest (performance fees) and portfolio company returns.
Who are Varsity's main competitors?
Station F is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Fly Ventures, Speedinvest, Seedcamp, Partech, Kima Ventures, Plug and Play Tech Center, Earlybird Venture Capital, Connect Ventures and LocalGlobe.
Does Varsity have an API?
No public API is recorded for Varsity.
What industry is Varsity in?
Varsity's product category is Seed-stage Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAB, Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.