Deeptech founders often face a brutal reality when seeking funding because traditional investors struggle to understand complex science.
Constructor Capital is changing that narrative with the official close of its $110 million Fund I.
This Swiss-based venture firm is not just writing checks but is actively embedding itself in the scientific community to find the next generation of breakthroughs in quantum technology, software and deeptech.
A Unique “Science-First” Investment Strategy
Most venture capital firms rely on market trends or revenue multiples to make decisions.
Constructor Capital operates differently by leveraging a massive network of over 50 universities and research labs.
The firm uses this academic access to perform technical due diligence that generalist investors simply cannot handle.
Matthias Winter, the Managing Partner at Constructor Capital, emphasized that research institutions are currently producing technologies that will shape our future.
He noted that these innovations often receive limited attention from the broader capital market because they are too complex or too early in their development cycle
digital visualization of quantum computing chip glowing blue
“We aim to bridge this gap by supporting companies as they move from lab to market, balancing academic insight with operational execution.”
This approach allows the fund to identify startups that have solid scientific foundations but need help translating that into a commercial product.
The firm is part of the larger Constructor Group founded by tech entrepreneur Serg Bell.
This ecosystem includes Constructor University in Bremen, Germany, along with various research laboratories and an equity-free accelerator program.
Access to this infrastructure gives portfolio companies a distinct advantage.
They can validate their technology with world-class experts before they even pitch to customers.
Focusing on Deeptech, Quantum and EdTech
The new fund has a clear mandate to invest in sectors that require heavy research and development.
Constructor Capital plans to lead or co-lead Seed and Series A rounds with check sizes ranging from $1 million to $10 million.
They have also reserved capital for select investments up to $15 million and follow-on rounds to support winners as they scale.
The investment team is looking globally for opportunities.
While the firm is headquartered in Switzerland, they are actively deploying capital in Europe, the United States, the UAE and Singapore.
This global outlook is essential for deeptech because scientific breakthroughs are not confined to Silicon Valley.
Key Investment Areas for Fund I:
- Deeptech: Advanced hardware and robotics.
- Quantum Technologies: Computing and sensing.
- Software: AI infrastructure and enterprise solutions.
- EdTech: Next-generation learning platforms.
The firm believes that software and education are critical layers that sit on top of hard science innovations.
By investing across this stack, they create a portfolio where companies can potentially support one another.
Building a Portfolio of Scientific Heavyweights
Constructor Capital has not waited to start deploying its capital.
The fund has already backed several companies that are pushing the boundaries of physics and computing.
One standout investment is QuEra Computing.
This company creates neutral-atom quantum computers which are widely considered a leading contender in the race for scalable quantum advantage.
Another major bet is on Lumai.
Lumai is developing 3D optical computing architectures that promise to make AI inference significantly faster and more energy-efficient than current electronic chips.
Portfolio Highlights:
| Company | Sector | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| QuEra | Quantum | Neutral-atom quantum computing hardware. |
| Lumai | AI Hardware | 3D optical computing for AI inference. |
| GCore | Infrastructure | Global edge AI and cloud infrastructure. |
| Osome | Software | AI-powered financial admin and ERP platform. |
| VitreaLab | Deeptech | Laser-based technology for AR displays. |
These companies represent the exact type of “hard tech” that Constructor aims to champion.
VitreaLab, for instance, is working on augmented reality displays that could finally make smart glasses viable for mass consumer adoption.
GCore provides the heavy lifting regarding server infrastructure which is necessary to run the massive AI models developed by other firms.
Bridging the “Valley of Death” for Researchers
The transition from an academic paper to a profitable business is often called the “Valley of Death” in the startup world.
Many promising scientific discoveries die here because they run out of grant money before they can generate revenue.
Constructor Capital is explicitly designed to guide founders through this treacherous phase.
They provide more than just money.
The firm helps scientist-founders understand unit economics, sales cycles and go-to-market strategies.
Founder Serg Bell brings his own operational experience to the table.
He previously founded Acronis and Parallels which are both successful global software companies.
His background provides a blueprint for how technical founders can scale massive organizations.
This operational DNA is embedded in the fund’s culture.
They understand that building a quantum computer takes longer than building a mobile app.
Therefore, they structure their support to accommodate the longer development cycles typical in deeptech.
The firm’s connection to Constructor University also provides a talent pipeline.
Portfolio companies can tap into a pool of bright PhDs and researchers for recruitment.
This solves one of the biggest headaches for deeptech startups which is hiring qualified technical talent.
In a venture market that has pulled back from risky bets, Constructor Capital’s $110 million fund is a strong signal of confidence in the scientific community.
It suggests that the next wave of unicorn companies will likely come from physics labs rather than social media trends.
We are seeing a shift where capital is returning to fundamental innovation.
Constructor Capital is positioning itself right at the center of this movement.
Their success will depend on whether they can truly translate academic brilliance into commercial dominance.
For now, science-first founders have a powerful new ally with deep pockets and a deep network.
The launch of this fund marks a significant moment for the global deeptech ecosystem.
It serves as a reminder that the most valuable problems to solve are often the hardest ones.
As these portfolio companies mature, we may see technologies that were once science fiction becoming part of our daily lives.
What do you think about venture capital shifting focus toward hard science and deeptech? Do you believe academic research is the best source for the next big startup?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
