GRUENDELPARTNER advises on SMELA’s seed funding round

bmp Ventures, together with the IBG venture capital fund it manages and the Companisto network, is investing over EUR 2.5 million as part of a seed funding round for SMELA GmbH (SMELA).

SMELA develops, manufactures and markets electromechanical actuators for linear motion in automated industrial systems. Compared with pneumatic systems, these actuators can save up to 90 per cent in energy consumption, and compared with existing electrical solutions, they can save up to 80 per cent in installation space within the systems. The actuators are used in production lines, machine tools, the packaging industry and logistics.

The IBG Funds, based in Magdeburg, are venture capital funds of the State of Saxony-Anhalt that provide equity capital to support young, innovative technology companies with above-average growth potential and based in Saxony-Anhalt. At the end of 2023, the new venture capital fund RKF IV was launched with a volume of EUR 63 million. It is financed by the State of Saxony-Anhalt and the European Union and invests in start-ups in the seed, early-stage and growth phases. As one of the most experienced venture capital investors in Germany, with more than 250 investments across almost all technology sectors, bmp Ventures manages the IBG funds in Saxony-Anhalt.

Companisto is a leading crowd-investing platform in Europe, enabling private investors to invest in innovative start-ups and growth companies. Since its foundation in 2012, Companisto has offered numerous investment opportunities and built up a strong community of investors.

GRUENDELPARTNER has been providing SMELA with comprehensive legal advice on financing matters (particularly regarding the previous business angel rounds) since its foundation, and is now doing so again as part of the seed financing round.

GRUENDELPARTNER’s Venture Capital, Private Equity and M&A at GRUENDELPARTNER is one of the most experienced and best-staffed advisory teams in Central Germany and supports investors, business angels and start-ups at all stages of development, particularly in company formation, business development, corporate financing and all exit processes.