François Robinet is managing partner of Axa Venture Partners (AVP), which manages €1.6bn in investments for the French insurer Axa, including €1.1bn for direct investments and €500m to invest in VC funds, as part of a fund-of-funds strategy. The unit has invested in more than 60 companies to date.
In May 2023, Axa launched an additional investment initiative called Late Growth strategy. Axa committed €750m of its own capital to the new fund, and is seeking additional capital from outside investors. It expects to reach a final close in 2025.
Being able to raise money from external investors is a testament to a fund’s success.
“In less than seven years, we have created a strong transatlantic investment platform focused on North America and Europe that is dedicated to entrepreneurs in the tech space, with a very solid LP base,” Robinet said at the time of the Late Growth strategy announcement.
“We will continue to strive to be best-in-class and aim to invest in the best possible tech companies in Europe and the US”
“We will continue to strive to be best-in class and aim to invest in the best possible tech companies in Europe and the US.”
Following a pilot process that began in 2012, the unit was officially launched in 2016 as Axa Strategic Ventures and rebranded two years later to its current name. The unit’s areas of focus include enterprise software and digital health, as well as insurance, financial and consumer technologies.
Among AVP’s most recent deals are augmented fashion experience platform Veesual, online seasonal fruit and vegetable store Bene Bono, and Qloo, which provides an AI-based tool that helps companies predict consumer preference data.
Robinet has had multiple senior managerial appointments at various Axa divisions, including chief executive of investment management firm Axa Rosenberg, chief risk officer for Axa Group and more recently, managing director of Axa Life Invest.
The Global Corporate Venturing Powerlist represents the 100
individuals spearheading the future of the corporate venturing industry.
These individuals excel in terms of their venturing approach and structure, number and quality of portfolio companies and in their contributions to the corporate venturing profession.