Makesense just closed its €25M pre-seed fund:
So we sat down with Marion Schuppe to unpack what it really takes to build an impact-first VC from a nonprofit DNA.
👉 Fundraising: fun, exciting.. exhausting
What does it take for a nonprofit-rooted team to win over LPs and triple their fund size? More trust-building, cooperation, and resilience than most people think.
👉 Why pre-seed impact investing needs small funds
Marion explains why “bigger is not better” at pre-seed, and why Makesense is doubling down on inclusive circular business models as the most resilient path to economic, social, and environmental value.
👉 The hybrid model: NGO mindset, VC discipline
Incubation programs. Operating support. European subsidies. A 10% NGO investment pocket. Makesense is quietly building one of Europe’s most innovative capital stacks.Is this the future of early-stage impact investing?
