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Revaia Closes €250M Growth Fund To Fuel European And Israeli Startups

Revaia, Europe’s largest all-women-led venture capital firm, has successfully closed its second growth fund at €250 million, over a year after securing the first €150 million tranche. Founded in 2019 by Elina Berrebi and Alice Albizzati, the Paris-based VC firm focuses on scaling European and Israeli startups in their Series B stages and beyond.

The firm, which has already backed prominent companies like Algolia, now valued at $2.3 billion, and cloud call center Aircall, follows a sector-agnostic approach but gravitates toward B2B companies that prioritize sustainability. Revaia ensures its investments meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, from energy usage to workplace relations and governance practices.

The new €250M fund, designed to back 12 companies, will allocate investments between €10 million and €30 million, with a third of the capital reserved for follow-on investments and M&A opportunities. Six investments have already been made, signaling the fund’s active deployment.

Overcoming A Tough Market

Despite a challenging fundraising environment, Revaia’s track record convinced investors to commit to the new fund. Albizzati points out that their portfolio companies have grown on average 4x since their initial investments. “Fundraising is in slow motion,” she admits, but she adds that platforms like Revaia, with proven performance, continue to stand out in a market dominated by a few big players.

The last year saw large global VC firms like Balderton and Index raising funds in the billions. Nevertheless, Revaia’s backing from key investors such as the French public bank Bpifrance, as well as new LPs like JP Morgan, the European Investment Fund (EIF), and BNP Paribas Cardif, illustrates strong institutional confidence. Revaia’s international LP base has also grown, now comprising 30% of the fund, with notable European and US backers.

Political Shifts And European Growth

Despite global challenges, Albizzati believes that recent political shifts, particularly the US’s ‘America First’ rhetoric under former President Donald Trump, have reinforced the need for more European capital. “Our thesis has always been that Europe needs more late-stage and growth funds to support companies, especially as they scale,” she says. “The current political context validates this need even more.”

With its growing presence and commitment to backing sustainable growth, Revaia is positioning itself as a key player in Europe’s venture capital landscape, navigating an increasingly polarized market with a clear focus on building local champions.

Global Shipping Confronts A New Maritime Order Amid Geopolitical Upheavals

Resilience Amid Disruption

Global shipping entered Posidonia week against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, shifting trade routes and ongoing uncertainty surrounding maritime decarbonisation. Speaking at the TradeWinds Shipowners Forum Greece under the theme “Resilience in the Face of Disruption,” industry executives discussed the challenges affecting global trade and shipping operations.

Market Pressures and Operational Realities

In his keynote address, Clarksons Research Managing Director Steve Gordon highlighted ten data points illustrating current conditions in the global shipping market. The combined value of the global fleet and order book has reached $2.4 trillion. Gordon also noted that vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen by 95%, affecting an estimated 7 million barrels of oil per day and disrupting approximately 1.5 billion barrels of cargo flows.

Shifting Trade Routes And Strategic Implications

According to Gordon, conflicts involving Ukraine, the Red Sea, and tensions linked to Iran have increased average maritime voyage distances by 10% since 2019. Longer routes have altered shipping patterns and increased demand for vessel capacity, creating additional operational challenges for shipowners and charterers. Despite these developments, the ClarkSea Index and container freight rates remain above historical averages.

Geopolitical Challenges And Industry Adaptability

BIMCO President and Fednav CEO Paul Pathy, together with Star Bulk Carriers Chief Strategy Officer Charis Plakantonaki, discussed the impact of prolonged geopolitical disruptions on shipping markets. Participants highlighted concerns related to fuel availability, longer waiting times and operational uncertainty. Rolf Westfal-Larsen Jr, CEO and Chair of Westfal-Larsen Management and INTERTANKO, also pointed to the continued growth of the dark fleet as an area requiring stronger regulatory oversight.

Decarbonisation Debates And Regulatory Roadmaps

The forum’s second session focused on maritime decarbonisation and the industry’s transition toward lower-emission operations. CORE POWER Senior Independent Director Baroness Charlotte Vere and Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping CEO Bo Cerup-Simonsen discussed regulatory developments and the challenges associated with implementing alternative fuels and new technologies. Participants also addressed delays to the IMO Net-Zero Framework and the implications for long-term investment decisions across the sector.

Conclusion: Strategic Foresight In An Evolving Maritime Sector

Posidonia 2026 will continue with additional seminars, industry meetings and memorandum of understanding signings throughout the week. Discussions at the forum highlighted the challenges facing shipowners as they balance geopolitical risks, fleet investment decisions and evolving environmental requirements. Industry initiatives, including Lloyd’s Register’s ESG Advisory Service and the Maritime Emissions Reduction Centre, were also presented as part of broader efforts to support the sector’s transition.

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