Molten Ventures Emerges as Draper Esprit’s Rebranded Identity, Shedding Legacy Name

**[Molten Ventures: Europe’s Leading Tech VC Firm Undergoes Rebranding](youtube_video)**

**Are you ready to discover the transformative power of Molten Ventures? Formerly known as Draper Esprit, Europe’s only stock-market listed tech VC firm, Molten Ventures has recently undergone a rebranding due to changes in senior personnel and a shifting relationship with the US VC network it once shared its name with.**

But don’t let the name change fool you – behind the marketing speak lies a solid VC fund, backed by a highly experienced team. With a portfolio of 67 companies, Molten Ventures has made strategic investments in innovative startups like Manna Aero (an Irish drone delivery company), Riverlane (a Cambridge-based quantum computing software company), Cervest (a London-based climate intelligence company), and ICEYE (a Finnish satellite company). This diverse portfolio also includes well-known European unicorns such as Trustpilot, UiPath, Graphcore, Revolut, Cazoo, Ledger, and Aircall, boasting a combined valuation of over £1.4bn.

Molten Ventures has not only focused on direct investments but also supports seed venture capital funds through its Fund of Funds program, which features renowned European funds like Seedcamp, Earlybird, IcebreakerVC, and Future Positive Capital. Over the past three years, the firm has invested £75m, with the same amount committed for the next three years, cementing its dedication to fueling the growth of Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The firm listed its shares on AIM and the Euronext Growth Market in Dublin five years ago, becoming the sole large, tech-focused VC firm publicly listed on the stock market in Europe. Since then, Molten Ventures has successfully raised £619m (~$860m), realizing over £300 million (~$420m) in cash. In the last full year alone, the firm deployed over £200m ($270m), showcasing its commitment to fueling innovation and growth.

Martin Davis, CEO at Molten Ventures, explains that the rebranding is rooted in the team’s extensive experience with transformation. They have not only transformed their own organization but have also played a significant role in helping their portfolio companies achieve their goals. Stuart Chapman, Co-founder at Molten Ventures, emphasizes their energy and dedication in identifying and supporting the most visionary entrepreneurs in Europe. With flexible, patient, and supportive capital, Molten Ventures is uniquely positioned to make more possible for all.

So, if you’re looking for a transformative partnership that delivers results, join the Molten Ventures journey today. Subscribe now to stay updated with the latest innovations and investments in Europe’s thriving tech ecosystem. Become a part of the Molten Ventures community and empower the next generation of groundbreaking companies.

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Draper Esprit, Europe’s only stock-market listed tech VC firm, is changing its name to Molten Ventures after a change in senior personnel and an increasingly distant relationship with the US VC network from which is inherited its name. With former cofounder and CEO Simon Cook amicably departed to pastures new and the European listing powering to the fund in new directions, Molten is as good a new name as any with which to plow a new furlough. Molten’s team says the name conjures up images of transformation, “matter being transformed via the injection of energy – the first transformation is from solid to molten form.” OK… But behind the marketing speaks is a solid VC fund with a very experienced team, so there are no concerns there. In terms of an update on the fund, Molten Ventures now has a portfolio of investments boasting 67 companies, including early-stage companies like Irish drone delivery company Manna Aero, Cambridge-based quantum computing software company, Riverlane, London-based climate intelligence company, Cervest and Finnish satellite company ICEYE. Why Draper Esprit doubled down on its status as a publicly listed VC Its portfolio also includes European unicorns such as Trustpilot, UiPath, Graphcore, Revolut, Cazoo, Ledger and Aircall. Between them, Molten’s portfolio companies have a combined valuation of well over £1.4bn.   It’s also an investor in seed venture capital funds. Its Fund of Funds program comprises 42 European funds, including Seedcamp, Earlybird, IcebreakerVC and Future Positive Capital. Funds invested in the last 3 years total £75m, with the same amount committed for the next three years.   Just over five years ago, the firm first listed its shares on AIM and the Euronext Growth Market in Dublin. It’s still the only large, tech-focused VC firm listed on the stock market. Since 2016, Molten has raised £619m (~$860m) and seen cash realisations of over £300 million (~$420m) with £206m (~$290m) in the last full year, deploying over £550m (~$760m). Its annual rate of deployment is about £200m ($270m). Its initial portfolio totaled 24 European technology companies at a valuation of £74.8 million.   Martin Davis, CEO at Molten Ventures said: “Our rebrand to Molten Ventures is rooted in the team’s long experience of transformation – both our own, and our successful efforts to help our portfolio do the same It encapsulates that moment when VCs give their energy to help companies succeed.”   Stuart Chapman, Co-founder at Molten Ventures said: “All our energy is devoted to identifying and supporting Europe’s most visionary entrepreneurs. We recognize that building the next generation of companies requires flexible, patient and supportive capital and we are uniquely positioned to offer this – making more possible for all of us.”