BergStars
AG
A Swiss Aktiengesellschaft domiciled in Zug, deploying proprietary capital across direct private equity, structured credit, and trading firm lending. Selectively open to co-investment alongside venture syndicates and direct applications from exceptional founders. No fund structure. No LP constraints. Balance sheet capital only.
Proprietary Capital. Principal Risk.
BergStars AG is a Swiss principal investment company that deploys exclusively from its own balance sheet. There is no fund structure, no external limited partners, no capital calls, and no management fee income. Every position on the book represents proprietary risk.
The group operates across four defined capabilities: direct equity in private companies, structured credit instruments, working capital facilities for trading firms, and AI & quantitative advisory delivered through the group's consulting practice. The investment thesis centres on segments where conventional bank lending and institutional fund mandates structurally underserve the market.
BergStars actively evaluates inbound deal flow from founders and management teams at growth stage. The company co-invests selectively alongside leading venture syndicates and participates directly in rounds where its capital, structuring capability, and operational engagement add measurable value beyond the cheque.
Balance Sheet Deployment
No management fees, no carried interest, no fund lifecycle constraints. Capital allocation decisions are not subject to external LP mandates or forced exit timelines.
Multi-Jurisdictional Structuring
Transaction structuring capability across Swiss, EU, UAE, and emerging market regulatory and tax frameworks. Specialist external counsel retained per jurisdiction.
Active Governance
Board representation, operational engagement, and direct oversight on portfolio companies. Concentrated positions with active involvement in strategic and operational decisions.
Instrument Flexibility
Equity, convertible notes, mezzanine facilities, revenue participation agreements. Instrument selection is determined by transaction structure, not by fund mandate constraints.
Direct Founder Access
No intermediaries required. Founders and management teams submit materials directly. Initial assessment within five business days, decisive feedback without consultative limbo.
Corporate Framework
Legal Structure
Incorporated as a Swiss Aktiengesellschaft (AG) under the Swiss Code of Obligations. Domiciled in Kanton Zug. The holding structure operates without external limited partners, without a fund lifecycle, and without third-party capital commitments. All investment activity is funded from the company's own balance sheet.
Governance Model
Board-level oversight with direct principal accountability. No external investment committee. No advisory board with veto rights. Capital allocation authority resides with the principals who bear the economic risk. This removes much of the agency problem inherent in delegated capital management.
Capital Structure
Proprietary balance sheet deployment only. No management fees, no performance fees, no fund administration costs passed to third parties. The absence of a fee cushion enforces capital discipline: every position must generate returns on its own merit or be exited.
Regulatory Posture
As a principal investor, BergStars invests solely from its own balance sheet and does not pool or manage third-party capital. Counterparties engage directly with a Swiss corporate entity and its balance sheet.
Four Capabilities
Direct Private Equity
Concentrated equity positions in private companies—from seed and early-stage rounds through to pre-IPO. Primary sector focus: cybersecurity and data infrastructure, medical technology and healthtech, fintech infrastructure, deep tech and AI, critical resources and energy transition. Selective opportunistic investments outside primary sectors. Board representation in material positions.
- Growth equity and selective control transactions
- Board representation and operational governance
- Active ownership and value creation alongside management
- Typical hold period of 3–7 years, with the flexibility to hold for the long term
- Direct founder applications accepted—no intermediary required
Structured Credit
Bespoke credit instruments structured per transaction. Convertible notes, revenue participation agreements, mezzanine facilities, and hybrid instruments. Each deal is structured with specialist counsel in the relevant jurisdiction; no standardised templates.
- Convertible notes and SAFE instruments
- Revenue-based participation agreements
- Mezzanine and subordinated debt facilities
- Cross-border structuring (CH, EU, UAE, EM)
Trading Firm Lending
Working capital facilities, margin infrastructure, and operational financing for proprietary trading firms, brokerages, and fintech companies. Traditional bank credit models are poorly suited to underwrite the cash flow velocity, collateral types, and settlement cycles characteristic of these businesses.
- Working capital and operational credit facilities
- Prop firm and brokerage credit lines
- Margin lending and collateral management
- Short-duration, high-velocity capital deployment
AI & Quantitative Advisory
Strategic advisory and execution support for institutional clients deploying AI, quantitative methods, and algorithmic trading at scale. Spans algorithm design, predictive modelling, data infrastructure, and sustainability-aligned execution frameworks. Delivered through the group's consulting practice, serving hedge funds, investment firms, and private equity operators.
- Trading algorithm design and optimisation
- Quantitative strategy and predictive modelling
- AI and machine-learning infrastructure
- ESG-aligned execution and reporting frameworks
Group Holdings
Figures shown are portfolio company operating metrics, not BergStars financial results.
Building Something Exceptional?
BergStars deploys proprietary capital into companies led by founders who are building category-defining businesses. If you are raising growth capital and want a principal investor—not a fund manager—on your cap table, we want to hear from you.
What We Look For
- Seed and early-stage through pre-IPO stage companies
- Demonstrable product-market fit and revenue traction
- Defensible technology or structural competitive advantage
- Founders with deep domain expertise and clear capital allocation discipline
Target Sectors
- Cybersecurity and data infrastructure
- Medical technology and healthtech
- Fintech infrastructure and financial services
- Deep tech, AI, and dual-use technology
- Critical resources and energy transition
How We Invest
- Initial ticket: $100K – $1M per position
- Follow-on capacity: up to $5M per portfolio company
- Instruments: equity, convertible notes, SAFE, revenue participation
- Co-investment alongside leading VC syndicates welcome
- Board seat or observer rights in material positions
How to Apply
- Submit your pitch deck and executive summary
- Include current round terms, cap table summary, and use of proceeds
- Initial assessment within five business days
- No intermediary or warm introduction required
Get in Touch
For founders raising growth capital, companies seeking principal investment, and the advisers who represent them. Submit materials for review; initial assessment within five business days.