Adara Ventures
Adara Ventures is a European venture capital firm founded in 2005 that invests in early-stage B2B deep-tech companies across cybersecurity, energy transition, data and AI, digital health, components, and digital infrastructure, operating from Madrid and Luxembourg.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersLuxembourg, Luxembourg
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Adara Ventures does
Adara Ventures is a European venture capital firm founded in 2005/2006, operating through Adara Ventures S.G.E.I.C., S.A. in Spain (Madrid) and Adara Venture Partners III S.à.r.l. in Luxembourg. The firm invests in early-stage B2B deep-technology companies across six verticals: Cybersecurity, Energy Transition, Data and AI, Digital Health, Components, and Digital Infrastructure, targeting visionary founders building global technology leaders primarily from Southern Europe. As a fund manager, Adara generates revenue through standard VC economics — management fees on committed capital across multiple fund vehicles (Adara Ventures IV FCRE, Adara Ventures IV PARALLEL FCRE, and Adara Ventures Energy I FCRE) and carried interest on profitable exits.
The firm provides portfolio companies with more than capital: board-level guidance on strategy, financing paths, key business decisions, organizational matters, and international expansion, alongside access to an extended network of co-investors (Kleiner Perkins, GGV, Forgepoint Capital) and portfolio alumni. Notable exits include AlienVault (acquired by AT&T in 2018 for approximately $850 million — described as the largest Spanish deep-tech exit), Playgiga (acquired by Facebook in 2019), Scalefast (acquired by ESW in 2022, growing to 350+ employees), and Seedtag (€250 million majority stake acquired by Advent International in 2022, growing from 10 founders to 600+ employees). The firm manages 34 portfolio companies with 118 open positions as of the most recent disclosure.
Adara is a UNPRI signatory since 2018, operates SFDR Article 8/9-aligned fund vehicles, and is regulated by Spain's CNMV (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores). Capital is raised from institutional limited partners including the European Investment Fund (€35 million commitment to the Energy Fund), Grupo Energía Bogotá, and Elewit. The team is led by Founding Partner Alberto Gómez alongside Managing Partners, Jorge Barón, and Ross Strachan (cybersecurity), with Chairman Jesus Sainz, Managing Partner Nicolas Goulet, and Head of Investor Relations Monica Navas. The firm markets through its website, LinkedIn, newsletter, the annual "Big Dog" founders retreat, and industry events including South Summit.
Adara Ventures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Adara Ventures
- Legal name
- Adara Venture Partners III S.à.r.l.
- Website
- https://adara.vc
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Adara Ventures is a European venture capital firm founded in 2005 that invests in early-stage B2B deep-tech companies across cybersecurity, energy transition, data and AI, digital health, components, and digital infrastructure, operating from Madrid and Luxembourg.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Adara Ventures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Miscellaneous Financial Investment Activities (523999)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms (FSANAHAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Private Sector & Blended Finance Arms (IFC-type) (BPADACAJ)
Keywords
Where Adara Ventures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Luxembourg
- HQ country
- Luxembourg
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Adara Ventures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Management Fees: VC firms typically charge management fees on committed capital under management, typically 1.5-2% annually, to cover operational expenses and team compensation.
- Carried Interest (Carry): Performance-based carried interest typically 20% of profits above the hurdle rate, aligning investor and fund manager interests.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Adara Ventures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Adara Ventures is a European venture capital firm that invests in early-stage B2B technology companies through multiple fund vehicles, including Adara Ventures Energy I FCRE, Adara Ventures IV FCRE, and Adara Ventures IV PARALLEL FCRE. The firm focuses its investments in Cybersecurity, Energy Transition, Data and AI, Digital Health, Components, and Digital Infrastructure, providing growth capital and company-building support to visionary founders targeting global B2B markets.
Product overview
Adara Ventures is a European venture capital firm that operates multiple fund vehicles (Adara Ventures Energy I FCRE, Adara Ventures IV FCRE, and Adara Ventures IV PARALLEL FCRE) to invest in early-stage B2B technology companies. The firm focuses on six investment verticals: Cybersecurity, Energy Transition, Data and AI, Digital Health, Components, and Digital Infrastructure. Rather than offering a unified software product, Adara provides investment capital paired with strategic company-building support, board involvement, and access to an international investor syndicate network for its portfolio companies. The firm manages funds aligned with ESG principles and UNPRI standards, targeting visionary founders building global technology leaders from Southern Europe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Adara Ventures Energy: Specialized fund focused on energy transition technologies, managed as Adara Ventures Energy I FCRE
- Big Dog
Products and services
- Adara Ventures Energy I FCRE
Quantifiable outcome
- €250 million investment in Seedtag by Advent International (2022)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Adara Ventures
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Adara Ventures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Adara Ventures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- UNPRI (United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing)coreAdara Ventures is a signatory of UNPRI since 2018, committing to incorporate ESG considerations into investment decisions.
- CNMV (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores)coreSpanish securities regulator overseeing the firm's fund management activities and ensuring compliance with investment regulations.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Adara Ventures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kibo Ventures: Madrid-based early-stage VC investing in European deep-tech and B2B software. Direct competitor for Iberian deal flow, similar check sizes, and comparable focus on cybersecurity, AI, and infrastructure.
- Seaya Ventures: Spanish/European venture capital firm investing in early- and growth-stage technology companies. Overlaps with Adara on Southern European B2B and deep-tech theses, and competes for similar Spanish founders.
- Caixa Capital Risc: Spanish corporate VC arm of CriteriaCaixa investing in early-stage technology and deep-tech. Targets similar Iberian founders in cybersecurity, healthtech, and industrial tech as Adara.
- Earlybird Venture Capital: Berlin-based European deep-tech and technology investor with a long track record. Closest comparable on deep-tech specialization, multi-fund structure, and exit-oriented strategy across Europe.
- Speedinvest: Vienna-based early-stage European VC with sector-focused funds including deep tech, cybersecurity, and industrial tech. Competes for similar B2B and deep-tech founders across the continent.
- Notion Capital: London-based VC focused on B2B SaaS and enterprise tech in Europe. Comparable in targeting early-stage B2B founders and providing company-building support, though less deep-tech oriented.
- Point Nine Capital: Berlin-based seed-stage B2B SaaS and marketplace investor. Direct competitor for European early-stage B2B deals, similar check sizes, and strong company-building orientation.
- Balderton Capital: London-based European technology venture firm investing from seed to growth. Comparable in targeting European tech founders with a focus on enterprise and consumer B2B, though typically larger check sizes.
- Atomico: London-based European technology investment firm founded by Skype's Niklas Zennström. Invests across stages in European tech with a focus on ambitious founders — a comparable profile though with much larger fund sizes.
Broad incumbents
- Index Ventures: Global venture firm with deep European roots investing across stages and sectors. Frequently co-invests in the same founders Adara backs and is the most established European VC peer for late-stage rounds.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Adara Ventures social profiles
Digital presenceAdara Ventures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Adara Ventures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Adara Ventures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Adara Ventures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments89 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Adara Ventures
What does Adara Ventures do?
Adara Ventures is a European venture capital firm that invests in early-stage B2B technology companies through multiple fund vehicles, including Adara Ventures Energy I FCRE, Adara Ventures IV FCRE, and Adara Ventures IV PARALLEL FCRE. The firm focuses its investments in Cybersecurity, Energy Transition, Data and AI, Digital Health, Components, and Digital Infrastructure, providing growth capital and company-building support to visionary founders targeting global B2B markets.
Is Adara Ventures a public or private company?
Adara Ventures is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Adara Ventures founded?
Adara Ventures was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Adara Ventures based?
Adara Ventures is headquartered in Luxembourg, Luxembourg, in the Europe region.
How does Adara Ventures make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are carried Interest (Carry).
Who are Adara Ventures's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kibo Ventures, Seaya Ventures, Caixa Capital Risc, Earlybird Venture Capital, Speedinvest, Notion Capital, Point Nine Capital, Balderton Capital and Atomico. Index Ventures is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Adara Ventures have an API?
No public API is recorded for Adara Ventures.
What industry is Adara Ventures in?
Adara Ventures's product category is Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAF, Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms, with a secondary code of BPADACAJ, Private Sector & Blended Finance Arms (IFC-type). Its NAICS code is 523999 and its SIC code is 6199.