Step Venture

stepventure.eu

Step Fund invests in pre-Series A digital and software startups (€0.5M-€2M tickets) with a geographic focus on Italian startups or international teams with Italian presence. They specialize in Fintech, B2B Software, Healthtech, and Connected World, with particular emphasis on AI integration as a foundational technology.

Check Size

$500K - $2M

Stages

Pre Seed, Seed

Focus Areas

Fintech, Enterprise Saas, Healthtech

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Investment Thesis

Step Venture positions itself as a founder-friendly early-stage investor that leans into bold ideas challenging the status quo. They believe in investing in potential rather than waiting for proof, actively seeking ‘good ideas that the market does not yet care about’ while managing risk through portfolio diversification. Their core conviction is that major transformations arise from divergent thinking, not consensus, making them comfortable taking risks alone as a first institutional investor.

What Sets Them Apart

First institutional investor positioning with comfort taking early-stage risk independently
Deep domain expertise and specific networks in core verticals (Fintech, B2B Software, Connected World, Healthtech)
Proprietary UX360 methodology for evaluating founder success based on stakeholder experience quality across customers, investors, employees, and partners
Strong emphasis on AI as inevitable infrastructure, not optional feature—founders must think 'AI-native from day one'
Global market ambition requirement: Italian address but borderless opportunity focus
Team of 4 founders with 20+ years international experience who have built, scaled, and exited companies across Europe
Dedicated ESG Article 8+ SFDR classification with practical sustainability integration
Geographic expansion strategy with offices in Milan, Naples, and Turin to support startups beyond major hubs