Draper B1

High-Level Overview

Draper B1 is a seed and early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Valencia, Spain, that operates with a mission to empower ambitious founders building high-impact businesses.[1][2] The firm's investment philosophy centers on providing more than capital—combining financial backing with hands-on support, active portfolio management, and access to a global network to help startups scale from local markets to international success.[2][5] Their focus spans B2B and B2B2C startups across diverse sectors including software, artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech, e-commerce, and developer tools.[2][3] By supporting over 150 companies and maintaining a committed long-term investor approach, Draper B1 has established itself as a meaningful force in European early-stage venture capital, particularly in identifying and nurturing founders with transformative ambitions.[1][2]

Origin Story

Draper B1 was founded in 2010, positioning itself at a pivotal moment when seed-stage venture capital was becoming increasingly professionalized in Europe.[2] The firm is led by Managing Partners including Luz Adell and Enrique Penichet Garcia, who have shaped the organization's philosophy around local sourcing for global scaling.[2] This founding vision—rooted in Spain but connected to broader networks—reflects a deliberate strategy to identify exceptional founders in underserved markets and provide them with the resources and connections needed to compete globally. The firm's evolution has been marked by successful exits including companies such as Jeff and Civitfun, demonstrating the ability to nurture startups from seed stage through meaningful liquidity events.[2] Over the past decade, this track record has allowed Draper B1 to build credibility and attract deal flow from ambitious founders across Europe and beyond.

Core Differentiators

Hands-On Investment Model

Unlike passive venture firms, Draper B1 distinguishes itself through active portfolio management and direct collaboration with founders throughout their growth journey.[1][5] This approach goes beyond writing checks—the team provides operational guidance, strategic advice, and ongoing support tailored to each startup's stage and challenges.

Global Network with Local Expertise

The firm leverages a value-added global network while maintaining deep roots in the Spanish startup ecosystem.[2][5] This dual positioning allows portfolio companies to access international resources and connections while benefiting from the firm's understanding of local market dynamics and regulatory environments. Membership in the Draper Venture Network further amplifies their ability to support portfolio companies with expanded resources and cross-border opportunities.[2]

Sector Diversification and AI/ML Focus

While maintaining a broad investment mandate across software, fintech, e-commerce, and hardware, Draper B1 has developed particular strength in artificial intelligence and machine learning investments.[2][3] This specialization reflects both market timing and the firm's ability to identify founders building transformative AI-powered solutions.

Proven Track Record

With 95+ investments and multiple successful exits, Draper B1 demonstrates consistent ability to identify winners and support them through critical growth phases.[2] Their historical average check size of $234.4k and maximum check of $12M indicate flexibility in sizing investments based on company needs and stage.[2]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Draper B1 operates at the intersection of several powerful trends reshaping European venture capital. First, the rise of Spain and Southern Europe as meaningful startup hubs has created opportunities for regionally-focused firms to identify exceptional founders before they attract attention from larger, more established investors. The firm's "local sourcing for global scaling" model directly addresses this trend, positioning them to capture value from geographic arbitrage in founder quality and valuation.

Second, the democratization of venture capital has shifted expectations around what early-stage investors should provide. Founders increasingly expect more than capital—they demand operational support, network access, and strategic guidance. Draper B1's hands-on approach aligns with this evolution, making them competitive against larger firms that may struggle to provide personalized support at scale.

Third, the acceleration of AI and machine learning adoption across industries has created a tailwind for firms with deep expertise in these domains. Draper B1's demonstrated focus on AI/ML investments positions them to benefit from continued capital flows into this sector while building defensible expertise and network effects within the AI startup community.

Finally, the firm's participation in the broader Draper Venture Network—a global ecosystem of venture firms—reflects a shift toward collaborative, networked approaches to venture capital. This model allows smaller, regional firms to punch above their weight by accessing deal flow, expertise, and resources from partner firms worldwide.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Draper B1 is well-positioned to thrive in the next phase of European venture capital. As founders increasingly seek investors who combine financial resources with operational expertise and global networks, the firm's core strengths become more valuable, not less. The continued growth of AI-powered startups should provide tailwinds for their investment thesis, while their track record of successful exits builds momentum for future fundraising.

Looking ahead, the firm's influence will likely expand through two mechanisms: first, by continuing to identify and support exceptional founders in underserved markets, creating a flywheel of deal flow and reputation; second, by deepening their expertise in AI/ML and adjacent high-growth sectors, establishing themselves as a go-to partner for founders in these domains. The question for Draper B1 is whether they can scale their hands-on model without losing the personal touch that differentiates them from larger competitors—a challenge many successful early-stage firms face as they grow.

In essence, Draper B1 represents a compelling model for regional venture capital: deeply rooted in local markets, connected to global networks, and focused on providing genuine value beyond capital. As the venture ecosystem continues to mature and founder expectations evolve, firms that can deliver on this promise will increasingly capture disproportionate returns and influence.