In this episode of the EUVC podcast, Andreas is joined by Robin Haak, the solo GP behind Robin Capital, to share his unique journey through venture capital and entrepreneurship.

Robin opens up about his extraordinary path, from building a coffee shop in Bhutan to fighting Muay Thai in Thailand, and how these experiences shaped his investing philosophy. Andreas and Robin discuss the realities of being a solo GP in Europe, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of community-driven LP relationships. Robin shares why he chose the solo GP route after co-built Revaia, a €250 million growth fund, and why staying small and boutique matters to him.

This episode goes beyond the typical investment talk. It dives deep into what drives Robin, the principles behind his investments, and the personal journey that shaped him into the investor he is today. Robin’s story is one of resilience, growth, and a deep desire to serve founders in ways that go beyond just financial backing.

Watch it here or add it to your episodes on Apple or Spotify 🎧 chapters for easy navigation available on the Spotify/Apple episode.

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✍️ Show notes

Embrace the Journey: Lessons from Robin Haak

Robin Haak, a solo GP at Robin Capital, joins us in this episode to share his remarkable journey, both as an investor and as a human being. From traversing the globe with an 8kg backpack to buying a coffee shop in Bhutan, Robin’s experiences are far from ordinary and have shaped the way he approaches venture capital today.

Robin’s spiritual journey included everything from taking the Trans-Siberian train to Mongolia, trekking the mountains of Peru with shamans, to practicing Muay Thai in Thailand. He’s walked the Camino de Santiago three times and explored spiritual teachings like Zen meditation, Kabbalah, and Tibetan practices. These experiences have profoundly influenced his values and his perspective on investing.

Read this in-depth piece on Robin’s travels and his incredible journey in Bhutan. To stay in the loop, sign up for Robin’s newsletter at Robincap.com.

The Professional Arc: From Corporate Career to Solo GP

Robin began his career in the corporate world at Axel Springer, donning a suit and tie and working 100-hour weeks. He worked in Mergers and Acquisitions, reviewing opportunities such as GetYourGuide, Lieferando, and more. However, since Axel Springer focused on late-stage investments, he couldn’t pursue earlier-stage opportunities. When the chance to build the Axel Springer Plug and Play Accelerator arose, he joined as a co-founder.

Afterward, he became a founder himself, building tech companies from scratch, including Jobspotting, which utilized machine learning and AI to reach 3 million users across 12 countries. The AI company Jobspotting became profitable, and Robin, along with his co-founders and team, exited to the San Francisco-based company SmartRecruiters, an Applicant Tracking Suite. Robin became a shareholder and Managing Director, partially relocating to the U.S. and taking on responsibilities in global GTM and Operations, including fundraising for Series D and E with Insight Partners and Silverlake. During his time, SmartRecruiters grew from $4 million to $35 million in ARR and has since become a profitable centaur with $100 million in ARR.

Robin Capital: Building the Firm Around Values

Robin Capital is built on authenticity, collaboration, and a deep understanding of founders' needs. With a €10 million target for Fund I and a focus on B2B SaaS, Robin aims to invest in 35 companies, with a heavy focus on mid-market and enterprise sales. He’s already made 24 investments and is on the fundraising trail for Fund II, all while embracing the solo GP model to maintain a highly personalized and flexible approach.

The firm is more than just Robin; it’s backed by a network of 100 operators and four Venture Partners, including two unicorn founders and a manager of €800 billion AUM firm. Robin Capital's focus remains on Europe—50% DACH, 40% broader Europe, and 10% YOLO investments, all in B2B SaaS, where Robin’s expertise can make the most impact.

Why Europe Needs Robin Capital

Only 8% of VCs in Europe are former founders or operators, and even fewer have gone from €20 million ARR to a successful exit. Robin brings a unique perspective to the European VC ecosystem, combining founder experience, operational know-how, and a history of institutional investing. He aspires to be the kind of investor he needed most during his darkest times as a founder—someone who can help not just with funding but also with sanity, support, and a deep understanding of the challenges founders face.

Personal Philosophy: Serve, Support, and Grow Together

Robin didn’t just decide to be a solo GP; he chose to build a venture product uniquely focused on supporting founders. For Robin, investing isn’t about competition; it’s about collaboration and community. He deliberately keeps Robin Capital small, boutique, and personalized to ensure he wakes up every day with a sole purpose: to serve the founders he works with.

He often says, "I want to be the person I needed most in my darkest times," and it’s not just a tagline—it’s his driving force. Whether it’s taking a late-night call to discuss a struggling founder’s worries or being a true partner in growth, Robin is committed to walking the walk.

The Importance of Community and Lifetime Relationships

Robin speaks about the value of lifetime relationships, drawing inspiration from mentors like Saeed Amidi at Plug and Play, who taught him that treating everyone like family can lead to lifelong collaboration. Robin’s approach to venture capital goes beyond traditional metrics, focusing on fostering trust, community, and the belief that venture capital should be a long-term, human-centric endeavor.

Top Tips from Robin Haak

* Embrace the Pain: Whether it’s fighting Muay Thai in Thailand or trekking to Bhutan’s remote monasteries, Robin believes in embracing challenges head-on. For founders, that means facing the hardships of startup life and fundraising, but doing it with resilience.

* Build for the Long Term: Venture is about long-term relationships. Whether with LPs, founders, or fellow GPs, Robin emphasizes the importance of thinking in terms of decades, not years.

* Stay Authentic: As a solo GP, Robin believes in being unapologetically himself. He wants to build a firm and a product that reflect his values and strengths—not following a cookie-cutter model but one that is deeply rooted in his personal journey and mission.

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