Historically, family offices in Europe have underinvested in venture capital (VC), a high-growth asset class that can unlock significant potential. At the same time, many top-tier entrepreneurs often struggle to access the leading VC funds. That’s where AlphaQ VC (AQVC) steps in: providing diversified access to global venture funds while democratizing VC for a broader audience. With a rigorous screening process, AQVC analyzes hundreds of funds every quarter, leveraging its structured data to benchmark the VC funds landscape, both in Europe and globally.
Providing Enhanced Liquidity and Diversification: Winning Combo for LPs in VC Funds ”
Marius Weber, Founding Partner of AQVC
A key differentiator of AlphaQ VC is its promise of enhanced liquidity for investors, while still offering exposure to a wide range of VC funds. This flexibility stands out in the traditionally illiquid world of VC investing – making AQVC a game changer. Marius Weber, Founding Partner of AQVC, explains the firm’s journey so far, stating, “With our data-driven approach, AQVC has screened over 3,000 funds and invested in 20 of them. We’re opening up the world of venture capital in ways that were once impossible for many investors.”
Weber, who began his career in law before transitioning to VC, was drawn to the autonomy and innovation that venture capital offers. “The corporate world, with its hyper-processed environment, felt suffocating. VC was underdeveloped in Germany when I started out and I was fascinated by the freedom it offered. The ability to directly engage with decision-makers was a revelation.
A Pioneering work with Rheingau Founders
Weber’s venture into the world of VC began in earnest when he started with Rheingau Founders in 2011, a company builder in Germany designed to bridge the gap between founders and the infrastructure they needed to succeed. “ In 2011 with 3 other co-founders, we came up with Rheingau Founders, a one-stop-shop company builder in Germany providing capital, legal help (HR contracts, capital instruments (Safe), marketing, scaling, product – In exchange we were getting shares. Back in the days no network of business angels existed, that’s why founders came to Rheingau for capitalization and support.Back then, Germany had just a handful of venture funds, and no real network of business angels. Founders came to us for everything from capital to legal help, marketing, scaling, and product development. In exchange, we received equity. It was a one-stop-shop for startups that didn’t exist at the time.”
Entrepreneurs’ Qualities That Define Success: Millennials are Hungry, Gen Z less
When asked about the qualities necessary for entrepreneurs to succeed today, Weber noted, “Building a company requires sacrifices. Millennials have inherited the hard-working ethos of their parents and grandparents, but many in the newer generation are focused on the hype—getting press, attending conferences, raising astronomical rounds of funding. They forget that unit economics, profitability, and changing consumers’ lives are what really matter. Sometimes, it even means sacrificing the idea of work-life balance.”
AlphaQ VC’s Unique Approach: for Entrepreneurs, by Entrepreneurs
As a former entrepreneur and now an investor, Weber understands the full lifecycle of building and scaling companies. This insight was a key motivator for founding AQVC. “We wanted to build something different—a fund of funds that offers semi-liquidity. Our investors can exit anytime, providing a unique flexibility that’s rare in VC.”
AQVC operates two main departments: the Fund of VC Funds and AQVC Discovery. The firm has invested in 20 venture funds including Nucleus Capital, Abstract Ventures, Don’t Quit Ventures and White Star Capital. Through AQVC Discovery, the firm has screened over 3,500 funds, leveraging data-driven tools to compare opportunities and make informed decisions.
“For example, we recently had 50 impact VC funds to compare, and through our platform, we were able to select the best one to invest in. AQVC Discovery is a critical tool for navigating the complex landscape of VC investment.”
The genesis of AlphaQ VC emerged from a deep understanding of what was missing in the venture capital landscape. As Weber explains: “As former entrepreneurs, we understand the entire value cycles of companies and ventures, as such we wanted to build something different, with as a main USP, having a Fund of Fund that is semi liquid, you can exit anytime you want providing unique flexibility to our investors.” This innovative approach transformed the traditional fund-of-funds model by introducing a level of liquidity previously unseen in venture capital investments, addressing one of the most significant barriers for potential investors in the asset class.
Global Diversification and Rigorous Fund Selection – while having an HQ in Europe
Geographic diversification is a key focus for AQVC, with 60% of investments in Europe, 30% in the US, and 10% spread across the rest of the world. When selecting funds, Weber emphasizes the firm’s strict criteria. “For established VC funds, we look at track records, references, and regional strength. For emerging managers, we prioritize GPs with experience, a strong work ethic, and a long-term commitment to the fund—sometimes without immediate financial returns. We conduct thorough qualitative due diligence to ensure we pick the best.”
When discussing their investment criteria, Weber provides detailed insight into their two-pronged approach: “Emerging and Established VC funds are our targets. For Established funds we look at = Track records, references, region. Emerging Managers = We look at GP’s with experience investing, who are committed to work hard for the next 8-10 years w/o direct pay offs. We make a thorough qualitative DD on these new emerging managers to pick the best. And due to our network, we see most of them.” This detailed evaluation process reflects AlphaQ’s commitment to identifying not just proven performers – but also emerging talent who demonstrate long-term commitment and potential, even if immediate financial returns aren’t guaranteed.
AlphaQ VC Investment Criteria
The Future of AlphaQ VC: Bigger, Stronger
Looking ahead, AQVC aims to strengthen its ecosystem and become the go-to destination for capital formation. Weber’s ambitions for the firm are as bold: “We want to build a stronger community and be the first name investors think of when it comes to capital formation in venture capital.”
Beyond financial returns, Weber sees venture capital playing an increasingly critical role in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. “Venture capital is a key driver of progress when it comes to climate change, inequality, and technology ethics. It’s fueling change at a faster rate than any other asset class. Our goal is to continue playing an active role in that transformation.”
As AlphaQ VC continues to democratize access to venture capital, it’s paving the way for a more inclusive, transparent, and impactful future for both investors and entrepreneurs.
