Advising ambitious software companies at seed and beyond
As an independent advisory boutique, our mission is simple : to connect great companies with investors sharing the same vision, laying the foundation for future growth.
The first institutional equity round is a defining moment for the entrepreneur. There is no going back.
Startups
Vertical software & AI
Because combining sectorial knowledge with software economics is the recipe for defensible long term growth
Hardware-enabled software
In a AI-dominated landscape, we believe the interfaces between computing power and reality have huge potential.
You ?
Though we prioritise some market segments, we are always open to discuss ideas outside our scope. Please reach out !
Investors
Our team has investment experience, we know the challenge of finding gems under the radar while trying to support your past investments.
High quality curated dealflow
Because you don't want more, you want better. We provide you with selected investment-ready opportunities in line with your thesis
Supporting your companies
You've done your part, and the show must go on.
The marengo doctrine
Artisanal
We select a limited number of clients every year to ensure full focus & availability. We optimize for winrate, not volume. We do not believe in brokerage.
Committed
Dedicated and hands-on until closing. The partner in charge wonʼt vanish after the mandate, leaving juniors to execute. Your deck wonʼt be made in 15 minutes from 3 bulletpoints using AI either, because your fundraise is too critical for that.
Fundamental
We build equity stories from data, not buzzwords. This is not 2021 anymore. We dive in your CRM and cohorts to find gold, anchored to market and investor expectations. Thatʼs the work.
Sample of our deals
Companies we’ve worked with
Investors we’ve worked with
FAQs
Why do I need an advisor, I thought I was expected to raise alone
Not every startup needs an advisor. In straightforward situations, well-connected founders can raise capital independently. We recommend working with an advisor if the fundraising workload risks distracting you from building your business, if your situation is unique or complex, or if you want guidance on crafting the right funding strategy going forward.
Do you work with international investors ?
Yes. Our first network is in France, but we have made deals with europeans investors too.
For US investors, Marengo complies with the SEC (chaperonned under rule 15a-6) to act as a broker-dealer with US institutional investors.
Whats your business model ?
All (or most) of our fees are success-based. Specifics depend on your situation (round size, preparation work needed, investors already secured etc.) Expect market-practice. We do not take equity.
Do you do everything ? How involved do I have to be as a founder ?
Unfortunately no, because founders are irreplaceable. We streamline the
process, set up investor meetings, craft deal materials, help with due diligence & negotiation, advise on choices and tradeoffs, but you are still involved at all times.
How long from signing the mandate to having the funds ?
The fundraising environment has changed a lot since 2020. Expect at least 6 months from our first contact to money in the bank, but probably more. Itʼs also very dependent on each investor process.
When should I contact you ?
You can never be too early, but it can sometimes be too late. We like talking to founders even if there is no raise planned in the short-term. The worst case scenario is if youʼve tried to raise on your own without much success. Itʼs a difficult situation to salvage. We take on maximum 4 to 5 clients per year to ensure optimal client service, but we are happy to discuss your long-term plans at any time.
Get in touch
Whether you’re a company looking to raise money or an investor wanting to discuss dealflow