As the race for innovation in artificial intelligence intensifies, the investment fund Founders Future, led by Marc Menasé, has just announced a major strategic move: the opening of an office in San Francisco. This expansion, led by seasoned investors Dulcie Fforde and Jonathan Karlson, aims to build a direct investment bridge between the European and American ecosystems. This bold initiative, focused on tech and AI, spearheads a global ambition to reach €1 billion in assets under management by 2030.
A strategic bridge anchored in the global capital of AI
The Founders Future fund is bringing its ambition to create a true investment bridge between Europe and the United States to life with the opening of its new California office, strategically located in the Ferry Building in San Francisco. This location allows Marc Menasé’s fund to position itself at the heart of the artificial intelligence boom, close to major players such as OpenAI and the Y Combinator accelerator.
As Marc Menasé, Founding Partner, notes:
“Our ambition is to build an international investment platform capable of supporting the most visionary founders, wherever they may be. By connecting Europe and the United States with a resolutely AI-first approach, we are bringing our transatlantic mission to life and supporting the next generation of global champions.”
The goal of this branch is twofold: to support European scaleups as they grow in the U.S. market and to support founders of U.S. AI startups looking to expand into Europe. As Marc Menasé, Founding Partner of Founders Future, explains, this initiative aims to “build an international investment platform that supports the most visionary founders” by implementing a transatlantic mission centered on AI.
Experienced professionals to lead the expansion
To ensure the success of this key office, Founders Future has enlisted the services of two renowned investors: Dulcie fforde and Jonathan Karlson. Dulcie Fforde, drawing on her experience contributing to the growth of companies like Airbnb and Nubank at Baillie Gifford, will oversee the sourcing and selection of investment opportunities in the AI and consumer sectors.
For his part, Jonathan Karlson, who has proven himself at ICONIQ Capital and BlackRock, will focus on analyzing early-stage opportunities, developing relationships with LPs, and strengthening transatlantic synergies. The California-based team is already up and running, having closed its first two investments in San Francisco-based AI startups, with additional hires planned to strengthen the team.
Setting its sights on 2030: €1 billion in assets and a dedicated transatlantic fund
This expansion is part of Founders Future’s ambitious roadmap, which includes:
- the launch in 2026 of a transatlantic growth fund, with investment amounts ranging from $5 million to $10 million, dedicated to supporting U.S. startups in their European expansion;
- a gradual increase in assets under management, from €300 million in 2024 to a target of €1 billion in 2030;
- the consolidation of its capital following the opening of a 25% stake to leading institutions:
MACSF, CMA CGM (Rodolphe Saadé), and the Dassault family.
These initiatives confirm the fund’s commitment to establishing itself as a global, integrated investment platform focused on the most transformative innovations of the coming decade.
© Photo: Founders Future - Marc Menasé, Dulcie Fforde, and Jonathan Karlson
