Denis Efremov
Principal at R136 Ventures
Denis Efremov
Principal at R136 Ventures
Limassol
Overview
Work Experience
Principal
2023 - Current
As the Principal at R136 Ventures I am primarily responsible for deal origination, diligence, and portfolio management. I am focused on mid- and late-stage startups: ▪️ Stage: Series B up to Series F ▪️ Geo: the US and Israel ▪️ My key verticals: b2b SaaS, fintech, marketplaces, data & analytics, AI Enablers, mobility, workflow automation
Mentor at Growth Lab Accelerator
2021
As a Mentor at Google Growth Lab Accelerator, I am responsible for mentoring tech founders as well as speaking about fundraising and business development pro bono.
Mentor
2020
As a Mentor at Alchemist Accelerator, I am mentoring startup founders at the ad hoc basis as well as referring b2b startups to the accelerator.
Principal
2020 - 2023
As the Principal at Fort Ross Ventures I am responsible for deal origination, structuring and portfolio management. Main focus: ✓ late stage investments in the US, Europe, Israel and Asia ✓ midmarket (series B-C) investments in the US and Israel ✓ B2B SaaS, Fintech, marketplaces, DevOps, cloud, big data and other B2B tech enabled businesses Fort Ross Ventures (https://www.fortross.vc/): a global investment management firm (AuM +$400m) focused on venture investments in the US, Israel within financial technology, cloud business, artificial intelligence, IoT, cybersecurity and marketplaces. Recent exits include Granulate acquired by Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), Krayon acquired by Nintex, Fetch Robotics (acquired by Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) and Dynamic Yield acquired by McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD).
Venture Partner
2020 - 2021
As a Venture Partner at the Seedstars International, a Swiss-based early stage fund manager and accelerator with more than 50 startups in portfolio, I am responsible for sourcing of startups on emerging markets (CEE and CIS is the major focus) for the Seedstars Growth Program. Focus: Fintech, EduTech, HealthTech, AgriTech and other high-impact sectors; +$10k MRR; angel or early VC funding is a plus.
Investment Director
2013 - 2020
• Focus on fintech and blockchain sectors • Deal origination for private equity, venture capital and special situations transactions • Structuring and negotiations, preliminary due-diligence and deal execution • Strategic and financial management of portfolio companies, oversight over the governance procedures, business development and international development, M&A deals for portfolio companies • Investment committee member at special situations blockchain focused fund, board member at portfolio companies and advisory role at management committees of portfolio companies
Member of the Board of Directors
2017 - 2019
Member of the board of directors of the Russian subsidiary
Research Analyst
2011 - 2013
• Participated in various projects and studies in banking, insurance and asset management • Prepared industry research reports, analyzed competitive positioning and strategic focus of financial institutions • Created companies’ profiles, industry info memos and presentations, developed valuation models • Created and developed industry models for banking sectors of CIS countries and operational models for industry segments • Maintained asset management database of CIS countries
Intern
2010 - 2010
• Monitoring of customer loyalty, international brokers’ loyalty; preparing presentations