Frequently asked questions

Our first filter is about nature-inspiration as our mission is to increase the number of nature-inspired ventures to show the way to a whole new generation of deeptech projects. Then, the project has to have a high potential of delivering positive environmental impact. We look first for projects that have already done a proof of concept (TRL3-4) and are ready to accelerate their development.

Matching with the project owners is where we pay intention the most. Project owners will chose us as we chose them to become long-term partners. We need inspiring and engaged project owners, being confident in the future while facing the upcoming challenges with humility. We look for project owners who understand the power of the collective to go further and quicker, ready to share risks, successes, and enjoy roller coaster together.

Incubators usually batch cohorts, give advices, and expect you to move fast through a curriculum. At Anima, we don’t consult, we co-build, we are operators working as members of your team. We go deep with individual companies, bringing specialized expertise (materials supply chains, water regulatory frameworks, biotech scaling) tailored to what you’re building. We’re not on a cohort schedule, we move at the pace that makes sense for your company.

Incubators are good for getting unstuck, Anima is good for co-building a derisked company.

Most VCs want to see product-market fit, traction, and a scalable business model before they invest. Then, they let you execute. Anima invests earlier and works alongside you to build those things. We take more risk on the team and the science, and more responsibility for the commercial strategy.

We take what’s best from incubators, a real support, and what’s best from VCs, bringing capital to push the project further and faster.

We are sourcing technologies developed in laboratories, design offices, by engineers, designers, pre-seed entrepreneurs. We don’t have any geographical frontiers and so does our network, so our scouting covers the entire world.

First, we are usually your first funder. Then, once you’ve built traction through the co-building phase, we help prepare materials, make introductions, shape narrative to go to the next funding milestones. We also support you in applying to the best non-dilutive fundings to complete the rounds.

You should!
We are always looking for talented CEO to match with more scientific founders profiles.

Anima is deeply involved in each project, providing hands-on, strategic and financial support to founders in key areas like product development, design, strategy, go-to-market planning, branding, recruiting, and funding. The focus is on building strong, independent companies, both from an operational and financial perspective. We cover the costs of the missing and key resources until the company becomes independent, usually from 9 to 12 months.

We are entrepreneurs first. In each expertise that we deliver, from strategy to funding, through operations, company culture, product, design, branding and impact, we do it the entrepreneurial way, meaning that we focus on execution. The priority of each member of the team is enable soft skills development for the founders and build a fully independent team of talents to run the venture.

Proof of concept to Pre-Seed. You need validated science (you’ve proven it works in the lab), a founding team, and a meaningful problem. You don’t need product-market fit yet, that’s what we build together.

If you’re still running the core validation experiment, you’re early. If you’ve already achieved significant sales or have raised already, you’re past our sweet spot.

First, we are selective by nature.

We only partner with 2-4 companies per year. That focus allows us to commit real time, expertise and hands on execution to every venture, working closely with founders through the decisions and milestones that shape the company.

We build flexible partnerships, from advisory equity and embedded operational support to investments of up to €1M, being aligned and engaged by your side.

Anima is base at the wonderful Climate House in Paris. The teams from our portfolio have open access to this place and the associated programmation. On top of sharing the house with 250 inspiring roommates working on environmental solutions too.

We have different programs depending on your stage. From the advisory shares, to 1M€ investment through Anima Air, we take from 10% to 25% equity share.

It’s a fair question that deserves a transparent answer. Firstly, Anima covers the costs for the first months of the company or for the months until the company is ready to raise in good conditions. We are your pre-seed funder on the financial side.

Secondly, we offer manpower, which is very specifid of a studio compared to other types of funders. Our entire team work on your project, so you have this unfair advantage compared to other early-stage startup to have a big team to bring your project to life.

As a result, partnering with us accelerates every area of development. From transitioning an idea into a product to securing client acquisition and raising funds, Anima significantly shortens the timeline that these milestones usually require and derisk the company. It purely makes the journey simpler and quicker.

On top of it, partnering with Anima means partnering with its entire network ensuring easier market access, exhaustive mentorship and many mistakes being avoided!

Theequity we ask for is a testament to our commitment to your startup’s success. It reflects our confidence in our ability to contribute to your journey and our dedication to your success.