SHARE
SHARE
We Back Local Heroes
In 2012, the CEE startup landscape was an uncharted territory – rich with potential but missing bridges to connect talent with opportunity.That’s why we’ve spent the past 12 years proving that our region can “produce” some of the most valuable companies of tomorrow. The proof? We built a thriving ecosystem of 150+ companies redefining what’s possible from this corner of Europe.
But Eleven is more than just a VC. It’s a vehicle for something bigger. We believe that entrepreneurship has tremendous transformative power. People who succeed in an honest way create value not only for themselves, their families, and the investors who believe in them, but also make the world around them a better place.
The Eleven Journey
We started in 2012 as an accelerator, when startup funding in the region was scarce to non-existent. Back then, it was just us, a small team with big dreams, writing modest checks and learning alongside our founders. Twelve years later, we continue to back talented entrepreneurs across the region building tomorrow’s success stories.
What we’ve learned?
1️⃣ The earliest stage of the company is where we add the most value to the founders. When things are unclear, when you have doubts, when very few will commit to your vision, when you see the initial spark in the eye of your first customers.
2️⃣ It takes a village to empower the builders of the future. Your journey as a founder has two crucial elements: validating you’re on the right track toward product-market fit, and securing funding to maintain momentum. Both require time and a strong support system to get right.
3️⃣ Our region can produce more with less – even unicorns. Building from the CEE region comes with unique strengths – exceptional technical talent, capital efficiency, and fresh perspectives on global problems. We’ve seen time and again how these qualities help our founders compete and win on the world stage.
4️⃣ Vertical focus brings synergies. The more we invest in fintech, the better we get it and the more knowledge and lessons learnt for our founders have accumulated. The same goes for our other core verticals where our team’s experience and network can add the most value – Climate & Sustainability, Healthcare, and Future of Work.
Three funds and hundreds of companies later, we’re still learning and growing – just like the founders we support.
Our Swiss Army Knife
We started Eleven because we saw something special in this region’s founders – creativity, grit, and technical talent that could compete globally. But we knew talent alone isn’t enough. Building a successful company requires the right support at the right time. That’s why the entire Eleven team stands shoulder to shoulder with the founders so that we can help them every step of the way to change the world we live in.
And here comes the Eleven Platform – think of it as a Swiss Army knife for founders. It’s our entire support system built to help them navigate the complex journey of building a company. We give our knowledge – things we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) throughout our history as entrepreneurs and investors. We open doors through our network, because money and knowledge alone sometimes aren’t enough. And we stand beside them, ensuring they have the support they need at every stage
Throughout our journey, we’ve also learned a crucial lesson: helping founders doesn’t mean taking over. We’re deeply involved, but we also know when to step back. Every company needs space to breathe, to struggle, and to succeed on its own. We respect ideas, dreams, and creative energy – not just the size of a company. Whether it’s supporting Bulgaria’s first unicorn, Payhawk, or working with early-stage startups that are still defining their vision, we value bold dreams above all else.
Being #Oneof11
If there’s one thing that we have nailed, it’s our community. At the heart of Eleven are the people:
- Founders who get it. Our community includes over 300 entrepreneurs who know exactly what you’re going through. They’re not just peers—they’ve become mentors, advisors, and often good friends.
- Partners who open doors. We’ve built relationships with 250+ investors from leading funds across Europe and the US. When you’re ready for your next round, we’ll help make those introductions.
- People who’ve been there. Our 100+ limited partners include successful entrepreneurs, former Eleven founders, and experienced operators. They’re invested in your success, not just financially.
- Experts who solve problems. Our network includes 100+ mentors with specific expertise. When you hit a roadblock, chances are we know someone who’s solved that exact challenge.
We’ve spent years carefully building this ecosystem – because we believe that one of the most valuable skills in business is giving. When you support the people around you, when you share knowledge, experience, and connections, everyone wins.
Join Us
We’re always looking to connect with new founders, experts, and investors who share our mission of building meaningful companies from the CEE region.
Whether you’re just starting out or already on your way, we’d love to hear your story.
#OneOf11
