makesense is a Paris-based mission-driven investment platform and nonprofit organization founded in 2010, focused on accelerating social and environmental transitions across Europe. Through its investment arm, makesense_invest, the organization backs early-stage founders building businesses that combine economic viability with measurable positive impact. makesense operates at the intersection of capital, entrepreneurship, and citizen mobilization, with a long-standing presence in the European impact ecosystem.
makesense invests in purpose-driven startups addressing environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and the circular economy. The firm focuses on ventures that preserve resources, reduce waste, extend product lifecycles, enable reuse and recycling, and improve access to essential services, often while creating employment opportunities for underserved communities. Its investments are concentrated on companies where impact and business fundamentals are tightly aligned.
makesense launched makesense seed II, a new pre-seed investment fund targeting €15 million, and has completed its first close at the full amount.
The fund is backed by a strong group of institutional and mission-aligned investors, including the European Investment Fund, Mirova, Revital’Empoi, as well as a group of business angels and family offices. makesense seed II invests between €200,000 and €500,000 in early-stage companies across France and Europe.
The fund is designed to be highly hands-on, supported by an in-house Operating Team with expertise in circularity and inclusion that works closely with founders on strategy, execution, and impact measurement.
The fund has already made its first investment in United Repair Center, a Dutch social enterprise providing industrial-scale apparel repair solutions for major fashion brands. makesense seed II builds on the organization’s broader investment platform, which now manages over €100 million and supports a growing portfolio of impact-driven ventures.
Leadership
makesense_invest is led by a partnership team that includes Anne Gerset, Partner and Co-founder, and Marion Schuppe, Partner and circularity expert. The leadership team combines impact investing, operational, and ecosystem-building experience, with deep roots in Europe’s social and environmental innovation landscape.
Investment Strategy
makesense follows a high-touch, impact-first investment strategy. The firm partners closely with founders from the earliest stages, providing capital alongside structured operational support. Its model emphasizes long-term value creation for all stakeholders, with active involvement in governance, growth strategy, and impact delivery. makesense integrates impact objectives directly into its investment process rather than treating them as secondary outcomes.
Notable Investments
Notable investments across the makesense portfolio include Vesto, Le Drive Tout Nu, Epoca, HandiGaspi, Lokki, Resortecs, Loom, and United Repair Center, reflecting a strong focus on circular economy, inclusion, and sustainable consumption models.
Notable Exits
Specific exits have not been publicly highlighted, as the platform prioritizes long-term impact and portfolio building at early stages.
Other
makesense is deeply values-driven and selective. The firm donates 100 percent of its carried interest to the makesense endowment fund, which finances public-interest projects. makesense is best suited for founders building impact-led companies who want an investor that brings operational support, ecosystem access, and long-term alignment around mission as well as returns.
France
