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Severin Zugmayer

Severin Zugmayer

Founder of New Renaissance Ventures; Investor in Culture and Creative Tech

severin
Vienna, Austria
Uganda
Joined August 2025
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Summary

Severin Zugmayer is a pioneering venture capitalist who founded New Renaissance Ventures, the first dedicated venture fund in Europe for the Cultural and Creative Industries. His firm focuses on early-stage, technology-enabled businesses at the intersection of AI, spatial computing, and the creator economy, typically leading pre-seed rounds and following at seed. allocator+3
Leveraging extensive experience from leading roles at Speedinvest (Investor & Head of Fundraising), Google (Marketing Consultant, Startup & New Business Development), and Red Bull (Student Brand Manager), Severin brings a unique operator-investor perspective to his ventures. His background in brand culture, global FMCG, and big tech informs his ability to identify high-growth opportunities and support visionary founders. allocator+2
Beyond venture capital, Severin is also a co-founder of Tourilla Tours, a sustainable tour operator based in Uganda. This venture highlights his passion for ethical travel and commitment to positively impacting local communities, cultures, and nature through tailor-made safari experiences. tourilla+1
He is an active speaker and writer on the intersection of culture, technology, and venture capital, contributing insights through platforms like Medium and EUVC. He frequently shares updates on New Renaissance Ventures' progress and engages with the CultTech community, demonstrating thought leadership in this evolving sector. medium+4

Work

Education

Writing

New Renaissance Ventures - The Year 2 Update

October 1, 2025

A LinkedIn post by Severin Zugmayer announcing that New Renaissance Ventures is a $10m micro-fund, detailing its growth to 15 portfolio companies, investment alongside top-tier VCs, and the focus on founders in cultural and creative industries.

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Redefining Venture Capital: Art, AI, and Emotional Risk with Severin Zugmayer (Podcast)

September 1, 2025

A podcast episode where Severin Zugmayer discusses the founding of New Renaissance Ventures, his unique investment thesis in creative tech, and the emotional aspects of venture capital, drawing from his background at Red Bull, Google, and Speedinvest.

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New Renaissance Ventures - Year 1 Update

November 1, 2024

A guest post outlining the first year of New Renaissance Ventures, detailing its investment thesis, focus on cultural and creative industries, portfolio statistics, and community engagement through events.

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Notes

BGBernhard Grabnersaid
SZSeverin Zugmayer
is one of the most insightful investors they've met.

Feb 6, 2026

YTYang Transaid they've seen
SZSeverin Zugmayer
make especially impactful angel investments in AI infrastructure startups in Europe.

Jan 19, 2026

CWCallum Woznowsaid
SZSeverin Zugmayer
stands out for their impact as a family business investor in startups.

Dec 12, 2025

MLMarkus Langsaid that if they were launching a startup in Europe,
SZSeverin Zugmayer
would be at the top of their list for an initial investment.

Oct 2, 2025

PRPetri Rajahalmesaid
SZSeverin Zugmayer
is one of their favorite investors to approach when looking for that first check in Europe.

Oct 1, 2025

CWCallum Woznowsaid that if they needed a top creative collaborator for an important project,
SZSeverin Zugmayer
would be among their first picks.

Sep 26, 2025

MSMichael Schneidersaid they've seen
SZSeverin Zugmayer
make a real difference for early-stage startups in Europe.

Aug 7, 2025