Day One Capital
Budapest-based early-stage venture capital firm investing in Central and Eastern European founders; led Orqa's 2021 seed round as its sole institutional investor and participated as an existing investor in Orqa's €5.8M round (Dec 2024, led by Lightspeed).
Day One Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Budapest, Hungary, investing in Central and Eastern European founders. Its stated thesis: 'We back CEE founders with conviction capital as they rebuild how the world works, how businesses run, how people create things, how we stay safe.' Focus areas: AI-native software; robotics, drones and autonomous systems; cybersecurity and data infrastructure; defense, security and resilience; and creative industries. It leads and co-leads Pre-Seed and Seed rounds, typically issuing tickets of €300K-€2M. The firm reports roughly €94M in assets under management across its funds, including the €45M Day One CEE Fund II (2023). Founded in 2011 by Elek Straub, György Simó, and Csaba Kákosy, Day One led Orqa's 2021 seed round as sole institutional investor and later participated in Orqa's €5.8M round led by Lightspeed (December 2024).
Overview
- Firm
- Day One Capital
- Headquarters
- Budapest, Hungary
- Founded
- 2011
- AUM
- ~€94M total AUM (self-reported), including €45M Day One CEE Fund II
- Stages
- Pre-Seed, Seed
- Thesis
- We back CEE founders with conviction capital as they rebuild how the world works, how businesses run, how people create things, how we stay safe.
- Website
- www.dayonecapital.com
Portfolio companies1
Partners2
- FounderCsaba KákosyCo-founder, Managing Partner and COO of Day One Capital, a Budapest-based venture capital firm investing in Central and Eastern European founders; former Hungarian Minister of Economy and Transport (2007-2008).
- FounderGyörgy SimóCo-founder, Managing Partner and CEO of Day One Capital, a Budapest-based venture capital firm investing in Central and Eastern European founders; former CEO of T-Online Hungary and founder of innovation hub Kitchen Budapest.
Frequently asked
- What is Day One Capital?
- We back CEE founders with conviction capital as they rebuild how the world works, how businesses run, how people create things, how we stay safe.
- How much does Day One Capital manage?
- Day One Capital manages ~€94M total AUM (self-reported), including €45M Day One CEE Fund II in assets, and was founded in 2011.
- What stages does Day One Capital invest at?
- Day One Capital invests at Pre-Seed, Seed.
Sources & citations5
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
Day One Capital's own thesis quote, focus areas, and self-reported AUM (~€94M total across its funds)
Day One Capital: Day One Capital | Venture Capital for CEE FoundersVerified2026-08-09 - 2
Day One Capital's stage focus (Pre-Seed/Seed) and ticket size (€300K–€2M)
Day One Capital: Day One Capital | Venture Capital for CEE FoundersVerified2026-08-09 - 3
Day One Capital participated as an existing investor in Orqa's €5.8M round (Dec 2024)
BusinessWire: Orqa Secures 5.8m€ in Seed Funding led by Lightspeed Venture Partners to Accelerate Development and Production of Next-Gen Autonomous Drone Solutions for Defense and Enterprise MarketsVerified2024-12-18 - 4
Day One Capital led Orqa's 2021 seed round as its sole institutional investor
CEE Legal Matters: MTG Advises on Day One Capital's Investment in Orqa Holding LimitedVerified2021-03-03 - 5
Day One Capital announced a new fund focused on Pre-Seed and Seed stage CEE companies, with a €45M second close ahead of final closing in early 2026
Day One Capital (Substack): Day One Capital announces its new fund focusing on Pre-Seed and Seed stage CEE companies.Verified2025-11-24