Recent years have seen a clear shift in how the world’s economies and politics interact. Rather than a single, unified market, the landscape now splits into distinct regions, each with its own dynamics and priorities. In a conversation with TechCrunch, Sebastian Peck, a partner at Kompas VC, summed up the trend:
“We see the world really falling into three main spheres of economic activity, of political activity — the U.S., Europe, and China,”
Sebastian Peck, partner at Kompas VC, told TechCrunch.
“There was a lot of enthusiasm around these themes back in 2021,” Peck said.
“Our focus is in the physical world, anything around producing physical goods,” he added, saying that Kompas focuses on startups working on decarbonization, productivity, and risk management.
Though dwarfed by some venture funds these days, Kompas’s newly raised second fund should give it ample opportunity to lead early stage rounds with checks ranging from €3 million to €5 million.
As a European fund, Kompas has access to a range of founders and startups in the region.
“I think there’s a great space for highly focused, highly specialized, smaller funds like ours to be the first check-in and bring sweep up certain themes and certain founders,” Peck said.
These words paint a picture of a world that is no longer a single market but a mosaic of interconnected yet distinct regions. For venture capital, this shift demands a new lens on where to place capital and which problems to solve.
While software and digital services have dominated headlines, the tangible world still offers vast opportunities. The production of physical goods touches on manufacturing, logistics, materials science, and supply chain resilience. For investors, backing companies that transform these sectors can yield high impact and strong financial returns.
Kompas VC’s decision to stay firmly rooted in the physical realm reflects a belief that tangible assets will play a pivotal role in the future. Physical products can be optimized, automated, and decarbonized—creating new markets and improving existing ones. By focusing on this domain, Kompas aligns its investments with the tangible needs of society, from clean energy hardware to advanced manufacturing tools.
Within the physical product space, Kompas pinpoints three themes that carry the most promise. Each addresses a critical challenge facing the global economy.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is no longer a choice; it is a regulatory and societal mandate. Startups that develop low‑carbon materials, energy‑efficient machinery, or carbon capture technology directly address this need. Investing in these firms positions the fund at the forefront of a sector that will shape the next decade.
Automation, data analytics, and smart manufacturing tools are reshaping how factories operate. Companies that can boost output while trimming waste attract attention from manufacturers looking to stay competitive in a market that prizes speed and cost efficiency.
From supply chain disruptions to cyber threats, modern businesses face a growing list of risks. Startups that offer robust risk‑mitigation solutions—whether through predictive analytics or resilient infrastructure—provide value that extends beyond profit margins.
Compared to the megafunds that dominate headlines, Kompas operates on a smaller scale. The new €3 million to €5 million check size is tailored to early‑stage ventures that need capital to prototype, validate, and grow. This approach allows the firm to lead rounds that may otherwise be overlooked by larger investors.
With a focus on early investment, Kompas can guide founders through critical milestones, offering not just money but mentorship, industry connections, and strategic oversight. The fund’s size also means it can act quickly, seizing opportunities in fast‑moving sectors.
Operating from Europe gives Kompas a unique foothold. The continent hosts a thriving startup ecosystem with a growing emphasis on sustainability and industrial innovation. By being embedded in this region, Kompas can spot emerging talent, understand local regulations, and navigate the regulatory landscape with ease.
European founders often face funding gaps between seed and Series A. Kompas’s early‑stage focus fills that void, enabling companies to reach the next stage without compromising their vision or growth trajectory.
Large venture funds often spread their capital across multiple sectors and geographies. While this breadth offers diversification, it can dilute attention and limit deep domain expertise. Smaller funds like Kompas, however, can dedicate resources to a narrow set of themes, developing deep industry knowledge and stronger relationships with founders.
Peck’s observation that there is “a great space for highly focused, highly specialized, smaller funds” underscores a trend that many investors are beginning to recognize. When a fund concentrates on a handful of sectors, it can identify trends early, provide tailored support, and build a reputation that attracts founders with similar visions.
The fragmentation of the world’s economic and political spheres does not signal a retreat from global collaboration; it simply demands smarter allocation of capital. For Kompas, the next steps involve scaling the fund’s portfolio while maintaining its niche focus. The firm will likely deepen its engagement with European founders, explore cross‑border partnerships, and monitor how decarbonization and productivity trends evolve in response to regulatory changes.
For the larger venture community, Kompas’s approach offers a model: identify a clear, tangible need; focus on a few high‑impact themes; and use early‑stage funding to nurture ideas that can reshape entire industries. By doing so, investors can play a decisive role in shaping a future that is both profitable and sustainable.
© 2026 The Blog Scoop. All rights reserved.
Anthropic’s Next Big Leap In late April, a wave of speculation swept the venture capital scene when sources indicated that Anthropic could raise a fresh $50 bil...
Why Anta is Coming Back to India Anta Sports, the Chinese sportswear giant that once opened a handful of stores in Mumbai and Bengaluru, pulled back in 2022 aft...
Setting the Stage When the Indian stock market opens, investors often scan earnings releases for signals about how the economy is moving. In the last quarter, V...