Gagarin Capital Partners

Gagarin Capital Partners is a venture fund that backs early-stage artificial intelligence companies in many countries, and it now operates as Taver Capital. It was one of the first funds to specialise in AI, and its current focus includes the industrial sector. Deals are sourced through a network of entrepreneurs and scientists, originally centred on Silicon Valley, Russia and the CIS.

Services

• Early-stage investment: funding for young companies building AI products.
• Industrial AI focus: interest in AI applied to industry, engineering and automation.
• Global deal sourcing: local networks and advisers in several regions.
• Advisory support: a group of partners and advisers from technology, search and finance backgrounds.

Who it serves

The portfolio includes Prisma (AI photo tools), Wallarm (application security), ID R&D (biometric authentication), Cureskin (skin care app, India), EARTH AI (mineral exploration, Australia), iFarm (indoor farming, Finland) and Sterblue (drone inspection, France).

Key facts

• Current name: Taver Capital
• Managing partner: Mikhail Taver, with more than 250 deals over 20 years in M&A and private equity, and CFA, ACMA and CGMA designations
• Deal network: Silicon Valley, Russia and the CIS, now global