Headline: Multi‑Local Capital, Global Outcomes

Headline (formerly e.ventures/BV Capital) is a global, “multi‑local” venture capital firm that leads rounds from Seed to Growth with teams on the ground across San Francisco, Berlin, Paris, London, São Paulo, Tokyo and Taipei. Its model couples region‑specific early‑stage funds with a single global growth vehicle, giving founders local conviction at entry and scaled capital at inflection.

At a glance

• Stages: Seed, Series A, and Growth (Series B+)

• Typical checks: Early stage $1.5–15M (EU: €1–15M); Asia $1–5M; Growth $20–70M

• Sectors: Software & infrastructure (incl. AI), fintech, consumer/marketplaces, vertical SaaS

• Select portfolio: Mistral AI, Segment (acq. Twilio), Pismo (acq. Visa), Scopely (acq. Savvy Games Group), Bumble, Sonos, The RealReal, Gopuff, Raisin

Why They Stand Out

A multi‑local engine. Headline’s regional funds (U.S., Europe, Brazil, Asia) operate with local autonomy, sourcing and leading Seed/A, while a global Growth fund steps in at scale. For founders, that means one brand from first check to pre‑IPO, without re‑telling the story at every stage.

Data as a habit, not a buzzword. Proprietary platforms (commonly referenced as EVA for sourcing and ATHENA for analytics) underpin pipeline, diligence and post‑investment support. Public analyses like “Deepdive” signal how the firm thinks about cohorts, retention and go‑to‑market.

Cross‑border follow‑through. The portfolio features recognisable outcomes in multiple regions and categories, from infrastructure and AI to consumer. It’s a practical network for founders aiming to expand beyond home markets.

Clear, founder‑friendly lanes. Check windows are explicit by stage and region, helping teams and co‑investors structure rounds with fewer surprises.

Strategy & Where They’re Leaning Now

• Asia early‑stage momentum. Headline Asia Fund V ($145M) targets Seed–Series A in Japan, Taiwan and Southeast Asia (selectively South Korea), writing $1–5M checks across e‑commerce/logistics, fintech, IP‑driven tech and AI.

• Fresh dry powder for growth. The Global Growth IV fund ($865M) invests $20–70M at Series B+, with an ambition to deploy a significant share in Europe while remaining genuinely global.

• AI across the stack. From model‑layer bets to vertical SaaS and workflow automation, the team’s public theses and deal pace point to sustained appetite for AI‑native software with real distribution.

Portfolio Highlights (selected)

• Mistral AI — European AI leader; emblematic of Headline’s conviction in infra‑heavy software and European innovation.

• Segment — Customer data platform; acquired by Twilio for $3.2B.

• Pismo — Latin America–built fintech infrastructure; acquired by Visa for $1B.

• Scopely — Games platform; acquired by Savvy Games Group for $4.9B.

• Plus public‑market names Bumble, Sonos, The RealReal, and consumer standout Gopuff, along with European fintech Raisin.

What Founders Can Expect

• Lead at Seed/A, real ownership. Headline frequently leads and sets terms, with reserves for follow‑on.

• Hands‑on, local teams. Partners and operators embedded in key hubs; intros, hiring, and BD are handled regionally.

• Metrics‑driven conversations. Expect granular questions on retention, sales efficiency and payback, often before you’re asked for a formal data room.

• A path to scale. Early winners have a direct corridor to Growth IV, useful in tighter late‑stage markets.

Why to Watch (Southeast Asia, 2025–2026)

• SEA pipeline is heating back up. With Asia Fund V active and a cross‑border lens, SEA companies in fintech, logistics and vertical SaaS can leverage Headline’s Japan/Taiwan networks for expansion and procurement relationships.

• Follow‑on certainty matters. In a market where Series B and C rounds have become more selective, a growth vehicle with defined ticket sizes is strategic, not cosmetic.

• AI goes practical. The firm’s focus tilts toward AI that upgrades workflows, compliance and unit economics, right where SEA founders are building.

Meet the Team (two to know)

• Tatsuya Kawamura — Managing Director, Headline Asia. Leads Seed–A investing across Japan, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, helping founders navigate expansion and cross‑border partnerships.

• Shalini Rao — General Partner, Growth. Steers the Growth IV strategy, writing $20–$70M checks into Series B+ category leaders with a strong transatlantic mandate.

How to Get on Headline’s Radar

• Best fit: Vertical SaaS and fintech infrastructure with clear ACV, strong net retention, and credible expansion paths beyond your home market.

• Signals they like: Efficient growth (rule‑of‑40 discipline), bottoms‑up adoption into enterprise, and AI that compresses costs or unlocks new SKU/GMV.

• Materials: Clean KPI table (MRR/ARR, net/gross retention, CAC payback, sales efficiency), cohort views, and a simple hiring plan for the next two quarters.

WOWS Take

With local lead capital at Seed/A and institutional follow‑on at Growth, Headline is engineered for founders who plan to scale across borders. The combination of on‑the‑ground teams and a data‑first playbook makes them a high‑signal partner for SEA startups building in fintech, logistics, and AI‑powered vertical SaaS. Want to reach investors built for cross‑border scale?

Explore Headline’s investor profile on WOWS Global’s Deal Flow platform and discover other standout startups shaping Southeast Asia’s next decade.