Rewriting the future. Together.

Dreamers. Doers. Experts.
We are a growth equity firm empowering a new generation of extraordinary visionaries. Bolstering brands and tech-enabled solutions that make our lives healthier, happier and more convenient, where no one is left behind.

We look for globally ambitious founders operating across Europe, UK and the US; accelerating their growth via our unique access to major markets, including Asia.

We partner with crowd-pleasing brands which encourage conversations and subscribe to our shared vision of conscious consumption.

We are thematic believers and back customer-centric teams betting on the future of Health, Wellness, Family, Lifestyle, Beauty, Nutrition, Education, Daily Tech and Modern Commerce. We specialise in the intersection of:

Innovation
Community
Technology
Branding

We are experts in what we do

A team made up of experienced consumer investors and consumer tech professionals with complementary skill sets and a track record in investing and scaling USD 1Bn+ brands; we have built, operated, invested in, and advised over 100 consumer brands in the target categories and across all continents, including:

“At IRIS, we do things differently. We love stories, voices, and diverse opinions. We bet on brands that shift categories and add value to people's lives; and on founders who are motivated to shape the future in a purposeful way. Beyond investment advice, we strive to turn the founder’s vision into a reality by becoming a highly-active partner and forging long-term relationships.”

MONTSE SUÁREZ
FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER

our vision

Growth, through a unique lens.

We look for unstoppable founders who have the ability to understand today the problems of tomorrow, defining the future of consumption with a clear mission: upgrading our lives.

We admire brands that encourage responsible innovation, diversity, transparency and positive change.

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We guide founders by providing top operational and strategic support, working side by side in true partnership. Our community and expert network is endless, and we make sure you get what you need.

We understand the power harnessed by the brands that modern consumers love: a compelling mix of seamless products & experiences, engaging content and a true sense of belonging, all enabled by data and technology.

And we do this by combining art, science and intuition, secretly noticing details that no one else sees, operating with purpose and empathy, with the aim to build a more human digital-lifestyle future.

We promote investments leading/co-leading
Series A (+/-) and co-investments in later-stage rounds.

TEAM

Infinite perspectives.

We are a team of expert investors who love to reimagine the future and its possibilities, under a shared belief that you have to engage to have impact. We have come together to redefine the role of modern consumer funds, from the core.

MONTSE SUÁREZ

FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER

Montse is the Founder of IRIS Ventures. With 20+ years of global investment and advisory experience, she’s established herself as a prominent European investor in digital lifestyle. Prior to IRIS, she launched Walgreens Boots Alliance venture fund, followed by Vaultier7 LLP, which she co-founded and actively manages. Montse started her career as a banker within the Consumer and Luxury team of Morgan Stanley. Mother of three, and mentor to founders, she has a sharp eye for brands and a passion for sports.

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MONTSE SUÁREZ

FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER

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Montse is the Founder of IRIS Ventures. With 20+ years of global investment and advisory experience, she’s established herself as a prominent European investor in digital lifestyle. Prior to IRIS, she launched Walgreens Boots Alliance venture fund, followed by Vaultier7 LLP, which she co-founded and actively manages. Montse started her career as a banker within the Consumer and Luxury team of Morgan Stanley. Mother of three, and mentor to founders, she has a sharp eye for brands and a passion for sports.

CELIA BOSCH

Partner

Celia has 10+ years of experience in consumer across investing, operating and innovation in Beauty, Wellness, Jewellery, and Apparel, as well as a Consumer and Luxury Practice consultant at McKinsey - all of which speak to her track record as a category leader in Europe. Most recently, she was CMO at sustainable jewellery brand Monica Vinader. Prior to that, she co-founded Puig Futures, leading Venture Brands. She also serves in the Screening Committee for the HBS Angels of London. Celia is an enthusiast of the outdoors, art, and travel.

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CELIA BOSCH

Partner

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Celia has 10+ years of experience in consumer across investing, operating and innovation in Beauty, Wellness, Jewellery, and Apparel, as well as a Consumer and Luxury Practice consultant at McKinsey - all of which speak to her track record as a category leader in Europe. Most recently, she was CMO at sustainable jewellery brand Monica Vinader. Prior to that, she co-founded Puig Futures, leading Venture Brands. She also serves in the Screening Committee for the HBS Angels of London. Celia is an enthusiast of the outdoors, art, and travel.

FLORIAN WOJEWODZKI

Partner

Florian has 10+ years of investment and advisory experience and was previously at Melitas Ventures where he invested in CPG businesses across verticals. Prior to that, he was at UBS’ Leveraged Finance & Financial Sponsors Group. Florian began his career in investment banking at Credit Suisse and later at MVision. A dual citizen of France and the U.S. and fluent in English, French and Spanish, Florian has lived in four continents and is an avid skier and kitesurfer. He earned his M.B.A. from INSEAD and B.A. from Brown University.

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FLORIAN WOJEWODZKI

Partner

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Florian has 10+ years of investment and advisory experience and was previously at Melitas Ventures where he invested in CPG businesses across verticals. Prior to that, he was at UBS’ Leveraged Finance & Financial Sponsors Group. Florian began his career in investment banking at Credit Suisse and later at MVision. A dual citizen of France and the U.S. and fluent in English, French and Spanish, Florian has lived in four continents and is an avid skier and kitesurfer. He earned his M.B.A. from INSEAD and B.A. from Brown University.

SAM KAPLAN

US VENTURE PARTNER

Sam has 10+ years of global investment experience and has a strong track record investing in and alongside many of the most successful consumer entrepreneurs in the world. Sam has his finger on the pulse of the consumer and retail industry and an extensive network in the United States and abroad. An accomplished board member, he specializes in helping the artists and the scientists that help each company tick communicate smoothly. Sam is based between New York and Los Angeles.

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SAM KAPLAN

US VENTURE PARTNER

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Sam has 10+ years of global investment experience and has a strong track record investing in and alongside many of the most successful consumer entrepreneurs in the world. Sam has his finger on the pulse of the consumer and retail industry and an extensive network in the United States and abroad. An accomplished board member, he specializes in helping the artists and the scientists that help each company tick communicate smoothly. Sam is based between New York and Los Angeles.

FRANCESCA HANANIA

Francesca leads research and market analysis at IRIS. With a strong corporate and start up research background, she was a former Equity Researcher at Bank of America covering Consumer Stocks and Thematic Investments. Being a citizen of the world, she studied in the major European capitals graduating from ESCP Europe for the Master and from Bocconi for the Bachelor. When she’s not looking at new opportunities in the consumer space, you’ll find her practicing yoga or attending the latest Art exhibition in London.

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FRANCESCA HANANIA

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Francesca leads research and market analysis at IRIS. With a strong corporate and start up research background, she was a former Equity Researcher at Bank of America covering Consumer Stocks and Thematic Investments. Being a citizen of the world, she studied in the major European capitals graduating from ESCP Europe for the Master and from Bocconi for the Bachelor. When she’s not looking at new opportunities in the consumer space, you’ll find her practicing yoga or attending the latest Art exhibition in London.

MARC CALZADA

Marc's passion for innovation led him to join IRIS, where he channels his curiosity towards helping the greatest consumer entrepreneurs. Marc holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master's in International Management from ESADE Business School. With both investing and operating experience Marc previously worked at Antai Venture Builder as an Analyst and was CFO & Head of Business Development at Volava. Marc also founded a digital brand himself and plays field hockey at elite level.

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MARC CALZADA

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Marc's passion for innovation led him to join IRIS, where he channels his curiosity towards helping the greatest consumer entrepreneurs. Marc holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master's in International Management from ESADE Business School. With both investing and operating experience Marc previously worked at Antai Venture Builder as an Analyst and was CFO & Head of Business Development at Volava. Marc also founded a digital brand himself and plays field hockey at elite level.

EUGENIA ZOZAYA

Head of legal

Eugenia is responsible for all legal, compliance and sustainability matters. She brings over 20 years of legal experience. She has worked as an M&A lawyer for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and has led the international business legal practice at CaixaBank. Most recently, she was head of Legal & Compliance at Trea Asset Management (6 billion in AUM). Family woman, Eugenia is a healthy food enthusiast and fan of yoga, as well as a climate change student.

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EUGENIA ZOZAYA

Head of legal

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Eugenia is responsible for all legal, compliance and sustainability matters. She brings over 20 years of legal experience. She has worked as an M&A lawyer for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and has led the international business legal practice at CaixaBank. Most recently, she was head of Legal & Compliance at Trea Asset Management (6 billion in AUM). Family woman, Eugenia is a healthy food enthusiast and fan of yoga, as well as a climate change student.