Superbo, a UK-based pioneer in agentic AI, has secured a strategic investment from Deep Capital, a move set to accelerate the company’s ambition to redefine enterprise automation. This partnership brings funding and access to extensive networks in technology, media, and gaming, pushing Superbo to the forefront of autonomous solutions for businesses. As someone who has built my startups bootstrapped in the challenging European startup ecosystem, I find this investment a fascinating case study for entrepreneurs seeking to scale innovative technologies.
The announcement highlights not only the financial aspect of investment but also the strategic guidance that Deep Capital brings. For those of us navigating the business world without deep pockets, partnerships like these serve as inspiration for how alliances built on shared vision can elevate both parties to success.
What we know about the investment
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The investor: Deep Capital is led by Dimitris Maris, a name already associated with growing cutting-edge companies like Kaizen Gaming. Known for nurturing innovative businesses, Deep Capital brings the expertise of scaling companies globally.
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Goals of the partnership: Superbo’s target is clear, scale the adoption of its flagship Opero Suite across EMEA and the US and focus particularly on highly regulated industries. This focus on industries like healthcare and finance, where precision is critical, demonstrates a clear understanding of market needs.
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Strength in products: The Opero Suite, including tools named Nova, Solo, and Aeon, creates seamless workflows and deploys autonomous agents. These bots don’t stop at interaction; they take actions that lead to measurable outcomes. This is especially exciting because the approach shifts from mere chatbot functionality to full-fledged operational overhauls.
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Funding details: While the amount remains undisclosed, it’s not just money on the table here. The investment includes strategic mentorship, emphasizing that financial capital, though crucial, cannot substitute quality guidance when scaling operations.
For someone like me, who has leaned heavily on bootstrapping, the standout here isn’t just the funding, it’s the balance of resources and advice. Had I been in their place, I’d be thrilled to find an investor who also fosters industry introductions and brings years of knowledge about growth challenges.
Lessons for female entrepreneurs in Europe
Building a startup in Europe has its quirks, and as a female founder, I’ve had my share of uphill battles. But this story of Superbo and Deep Capital holds valuable takeaways:
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Prioritizing scalability in your pitch: Superbo didn’t sell itself as just another AI tool. They highlighted the operability of their solutions on an enterprise level. It’s vital to frame your business as not just solving today’s problem but growing into tomorrow’s essential solution.
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Networking beyond industries: By focusing on industries like gaming and media through their investor’s network, Superbo showed that technology crossover often fuels success. This can inspire you to rethink which industries your product might fit into instead of sticking to a single niche.
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Seeking more than a funding check: Many founders, myself included in my earlier ventures, focus on investment solely as cash flow. Superbo’s choice shows how critical it is to vet investors for their connections, mentoring style, and understanding of your target market.
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Tech partnerships matter: Before this funding, Superbo had already joined the Microsoft Partner Network in Africa, driving Azure OpenAI implementations. Partnering with established tech firms adds credibility and spreads your reach, even when bootstrapped.
Common mistakes to avoid if you’re looking for investors
Entering the world of external funding isn’t easy, and as someone who’s had to carefully weigh collaboration offers, I’ve seen where founders often misstep:
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Chasing big names only: It’s tempting to approach prominent VCs or firms for their status, but what matters more is their alignment with your goals. Superbo clearly chose Deep Capital for its industry fit.
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Ignoring the potential of hybrid partnerships: Funding isn’t always linear. Combine partnerships with tech giants or regulatory bodies to give you added leverage. Superbo’s earlier collaboration with Microsoft gave it a solid foothold even before taking on this investment.
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Leaving out diversification in planning: If you optimize your product only for one specific region during scaling (e.g., focusing solely on European markets), it limits your potential. Learn from Superbo’s focus on both EMEA and the US.
How you can apply these lessons
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Position your product for the bigger market: Make sure your startup solves problems for enterprises, not just individuals. This widens your revenue potential and makes you attractive to strategic investors.
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Prepare a long-term roadmap: Investors are looking for founders with clear scalability ideas. Show them where you’ll expand, and how. Whether it’s regulatory industries like pharmaceuticals or regions with underserved automation needs, clear plans set you apart.
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Be industry-specific when pitching: If Superbo had pitched broadly as just “AI for businesses,” their strategy wouldn’t have stood out. Learn to break down your niche; if you target, say, AI in education, specify whether you’re offering it to universities, early learning platforms, or government systems.
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Bootstrap smart before looking for funding: Sometimes funding offers can lock you in. When feasible, bootstrap like I did, so when you do invite external investors, you hold a position of strength.
Interesting statistics about AI-driven workplaces
The future of enterprise solutions, like the one Superbo is helping shape, is already seeing measurable adoption.
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According to the IDC Worldwide Artificial Intelligence Spending Guide, the spending on AI solutions is forecast to reach $154 billion by 2025, growing steadily across sectors including healthcare, banking, and manufacturing.
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In a Deloitte survey last year, 43% of businesses globally plan to embed AI-driven systems into everyday operations by the end of 2025.
These numbers aren’t just future predictions but an indication of how vital it is to adapt to automation now.
Tools and resources
If you’re a founder looking to build traction, some resources can take you closer to your goals:
- Microsoft Partner Network: As seen with Superbo, aligning early with large tech infrastructure opens doors. Discover how you can become a Microsoft Partner.
- Tech hubs near you: Platforms like Y Combinator or tech accelerators in Europe such as Yes!Delft offer grounding for early-stage companies. Yes!Delft, in particular, is focused on deep tech and might be your go-to for next-gen startups.
Final thoughts for founders
Superbo’s journey reminds female entrepreneurs like me that scaling is less about overnight innovation and more about deep strategy. Sometimes, the bold move isn’t just building the product but surrounding it with partnerships that scale its growth. For those bootstrapping like I did, Superbo’s story highlights what to keep in mind when you finally seek external investment: it should amplify your vision, not dilute it.
Lastly, as diverse entrepreneurship grows across Europe, it becomes clear that stories like this are templates, not exceptions. So, take the lessons, tweak them for your unique journey, and never undermine the power of teaming up for mutual growth.
FAQ
1. What does Superbo specialize in?
Superbo specializes in agentic AI, focusing on autonomous enterprise solutions through its Opero Suite, which includes tools like Nova, Solo, and Aeon for intelligent dialogue and seamless workflows. Learn more about Superbo's AI solutions
2. Who is the investor in Superbo's recent strategic funding?
Deep Capital, led by Dimitris Maris, provided the recent strategic investment to Superbo to accelerate its global expansion and scale its enterprise AI solutions. Read about Deep Capital's partnership
3. What is the primary goal of Superbo's partnership with Deep Capital?
The partnership aims to expand Superbo’s operations across EMEA and the US, particularly focusing on regulated industries like healthcare and finance, where precision and compliance are critical. Discover the goals of this collaboration
4. What is Deep Capital’s background?
Deep Capital is an international investment firm founded by Dimitris Maris, known for scaling innovative technology companies like Kaizen Gaming. Learn about Deep Capital’s expertise
5. What industries does Superbo focus on?
Superbo focuses on highly regulated industries such as healthcare and finance, aiming to provide precise, outcome-driven AI automation through its flagship Opero Suite. Check out Superbo’s target industries
6. How does the Opero Suite differ from traditional chatbot solutions?
Opero Suite agents go beyond simple interactions; they take autonomous actions and deliver measurable outcomes, fundamentally transforming enterprise workflows. Understand Opero Suite’s uniqueness
7. How will Superbo use the new investment?
The investment will support global scaling, increase the adoption of the Opero Suite, and deploy enterprise-scale autonomous agents in regulated industries. Explore Superbo's investment plans
8. What prior partnerships has Superbo established?
Superbo is part of the Microsoft Partner Network in Africa, leveraging Azure OpenAI implementations to expand its reach and credibility. Learn about Superbo’s partnership with Microsoft
9. How does this investment benefit Deep Capital?
By investing in Superbo, Deep Capital gains a stake in the rapidly growing enterprise AI market and extends its network’s influence in technology and regulated sectors. Read about Deep Capital's strategic gains
10. What lessons can entrepreneurs learn from this investment story?
Entrepreneurs can learn the importance of aiming for scalability, networking across industries, finding investors whose expertise aligns with their goals, and building tech partnerships early on for credibility. Get insights from the investment case
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
