8eyes

8eyes represents a venture capital firm established by the founding team behind Runtastic, bringing entrepreneurial expertise directly to their investment approach. Having successfully built and sold Runtastic to Adidas for approximately $240 million in 2015, these founders have transitioned their operational knowledge into strategic investment capabilities. Their firsthand experience navigating startup challenges—from initial product development through scaling and eventual exit—provides portfolio companies with practical guidance beyond mere financial support.

The investment philosophy at 8eyes centers on early-stage technology startups with promising growth trajectories. Their portfolio typically includes companies in health tech, fitness innovation, consumer applications, and digital platforms—sectors where the founding team's operational expertise can add substantial value. The firm generally focuses on seed and Series A rounds, typically investing between $250,000 and $2 million in initial funding, while maintaining capacity for follow-on investments in high-performing portfolio companies.

What distinguishes 8eyes in the competitive venture capital landscape is their founder-first mentality and hands-on advisory approach. Portfolio companies gain access to the team's extensive network across Europe and North America, including connections to potential customers, partners, and follow-on investors. Their involvement frequently extends beyond capital to include strategic guidance on product development, go-to-market strategies, team building, and operational efficiency—areas where the founding partners developed expertise through their Runtastic journey.

Geographically, 8eyes maintains a primary focus on European startups, particularly in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), though they occasionally invest in North American ventures with strong European expansion potential. Their investment thesis prioritizes sustainable growth over rapid but unprofitable scaling, seeking founders who demonstrate both technical innovation and business acumen. The firm typically takes a long-term partnership approach, supporting portfolio companies through multiple growth phases while preparing them for eventual successful exits or sustainable independence.