Kernel Capital Overview

Established in 1999, Kernel Capital is a venture capital firm regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and authorized by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. The firm specializes in investing in IP-rich companies across sectors such as silicon chip design, photonics, micro-fluidics, sensors and systems, and data management. Kernel Capital has raised over €270 million and led more than 80 portfolio companies, completing significant transactions globally and raising over €1.5 billion for Irish technology companies. Their hands-on approach and extensive global network have delivered superior returns exceeding 20% Gross IRR. In 2023, they launched Kernel Strategic, a boutique M&A business aimed at maximizing the value of deep IP companies.

Is Kernel Capital the right investor for your startup? Browse their investment focus, stage preferences, and geographic scope to see how well they align with your fundraising goals. Your full match score with Kernel Capital, along with a list of other relevant VCs, is available on Hopohopo.io.

Kernel Capital

VC Fund

Investment focus

Invest in

  • Western Europe 2 / 14

Customer types

  • B2B

Product type

  • Software
  • Hardware
  • Software-enabled hardware
  • Drugs / Pharma

Investment role

Lead and follow

Stages

Seed, Series A

First ticket size

€100,000 - €1,500,000

How to approach funds like Kernel Capital

When engaging Kernel Capital, founders should highlight defensible intellectual property and a clear path to global market leadership, as the team values technical depth and scalable innovation. Demonstrate traction with industry partnerships or customer validation, and be prepared to discuss how your technology can anchor a broader ecosystem. Articulate your vision for international expansion and how Kernel’s network and operational expertise can accelerate your growth.

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