Kompas VC Raises €160M Fund to Navigate Global Fragmentation with Industrial Startup Bets in US, Europe, and China

In an era of deepening geopolitical divides, Kompas VC has secured a €160 million fund to back early-stage startups tackling core industrial challenges across fragmented markets.

The firm, operating from offices in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Tel Aviv, focuses on long-term investments spanning 10 to 15 years to weather political and legislative shifts.

Three Global Spheres Reshaping VC Investments

Partner Sebastian Peck outlines the world as three primary economic spheres—the US, Europe, and China—each demanding tailored strategies due to cultural and political differences.

Founded in 2021 amid enthusiasm for industrial themes, Kompas VC now thrives in a 2026 landscape dominated by AI hype by honing in on the physical world like manufacturing and supply chains.

The fund enables €3 million to €5 million checks to lead rounds in niches such as decarbonization, productivity boosts, risk management, and reshoring critical minerals.

Challenges of Regional Scalability and Cultural Barriers

Fragmentation curtails global scalability, as seen with prefab housing solutions popular in Scandinavia but hindered by cultural resistance elsewhere in Europe and the US.

This impacts venture returns by shrinking addressable markets, forcing investors to scrutinize regional viability before committing capital.

Historically, post-pandemic trade tensions and supply chain disruptions accelerated this fragmentation, reshaping VC from borderless optimism to regionally cautious approaches.

Looking ahead, smaller specialized funds like Kompas are poised to capture opportunities in underserved industrial themes while larger players chase explosive AI growth.

The strategy not only mitigates risks from unexpected policy swings but also positions Kompas VC as a key first-check partner for founders navigating a multipolar world.