BlackWood Ventures

BlackWood Ventures is a network- and technology-driven early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Founded in 2021, the firm focuses on supporting visionary entrepreneurs in the fintech, web 3.0, and cleantech sectors across Europe. BlackWood Ventures leverages artificial intelligence to systematically analyze and identify high-potential startups, enabling them to make informed investment decisions. The firm operates with a distributed team across Europe, combining deep founder networks with systematic sourcing infrastructure to identify high-potential companies from the pre-seed stage. BlackWood Ventures has made 19 investments across nine countries, with a plan to build a portfolio of around 30 fintech, cleantech, and Web 3.0 companies. Their sourcing model combines a network of over 1,000 angel investors with systematic screening of hundreds of opportunities each month, increasingly supported by tech-enabled sourcing platforms. Notable investments include beSirius, a Dutch B2B SaaS platform for the mining and metals industry used by global leaders like ArcelorMittal; IVM Markets, a London-based fintech company transforming structured products distribution for financial institutions; Sidekick, a UK-based wealth management platform that has surpassed £100 million in assets under management; Yonder, a rewards card company selected for Tech Nation’s 2025 Future Fifty cohort; and Particula, a German startup providing AI-driven risk intelligence for digital assets to bridge DeFi and TradFi infrastructure. BlackWood Ventures is led by founder and CEO Bastian Larsen, who brings a strong operational and investment background to the firm. Under his leadership, BlackWood has built a cross-European team and an infrastructure-first VC model. Steffen Saltofte, CEO of Zentiva, serves as a limited partner and board member at BlackWood, adding further strategic depth to the firm’s leadership. The firm’s investment strategy is centered on disciplined early-stage deployment, with follow-on flexibility and a focus on founder-market fit. BlackWood uses a hybrid approach combining high-touch human sourcing via its network of angels and institutional LPs, with data-driven tools to improve deal screening and reduce bias in evaluation. This structure enables the firm to move quickly while maintaining rigorous due diligence. Their goal is to identify founders with deep market insight and give them the resources, connections, and capital needed to build foundational technology businesses across Europe.