NJF Holdings is open to exploring co-investment and syndicated opportunities, as well as direct, private investments

Njf holdings

NJF Holdings is an international investment company founded in 2012 by international entrepreneur and investor Nicole Junkermann with interests in venture capital, private equity, and real estate.

During the last decade, NJF Holdings has built up a strong international network of investments, partners, and expertise in Europe, Asia, and the US, and is open exploring co-investment and syndicated opportunities, as well as direct, private investments.  Through NJF’s venture capital arm (NJF Capital), we oversee a portfolio of over 40 start-ups across Europe and the US in sectors including healthcare, fintech, and deep tech. 

Our success has been through supporting and guiding talented and ambitious companies and entrepreneurs looking to disrupt and redefine traditional business models.  For example, NJF Capital was an early investor in the global challenger bank, Revolut.  In addition, three of our early venture investments include Songza, Dollar Shave Club, and RelateIQ, which were successfully acquired by Google, Unilever, and Salesforce respectively. 

THE TEAM

The team brings a wide range of expertise and experience to invest in early-stage companies tackling both the most pressing-challenges facing society today, in areas such as genomics, artificial intelligence, and climate change, as well as the products and services focused on making people’s lives easier.

NICOLE JUNKERMANN, FOUNDER

Nicole Junkermann is an international entrepreneur and investor, focused on identifying opportunities to disrupt traditional business models through industry-defining technologies.

German born and London based, Nicole has built a deep and diverse business network across Europe, the U.S., and Asia. Fluent in six languages, Nicole has experience living and working across each of these continents.

As an entrepreneur turned investor, Nicole has experience sitting at both sides of the investment table and applies this experience and knowledge to the like-minded innovators she invests in. She is a valued and active partner who helps these emerging leaders build their early-stage enterprises into successful companies.

As a major investor and Vice-Chairperson of Infront Sports & Media, Nicole helped build the company into a top sports and media rights business, leading it to a successful sale to Bridgepoint Capital in 2011. Nicole also founded United in Sports, her own private equity fund focused on sports and media investments, which raised approximately €250m.

Nicole is a Director of NJF Capital portfolio company, Owkin, and currently serves as an Advisor to pan-European private equity firm, Trilantic Europe. Nicole also sits on the Tate Americas Foundation Latin American Acquisitions Committee, supporting the work of Latin American artists. In 2023, Nicole was appointed a Trustee of the world-renowned Royal Academy of Arts and in 2024 she was appointed a Trustee of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which supports the work of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, a world-leading cancer centre.

ENRIQUE (KIKÉ) GUTTIERREZ DE RAVE LEVY, head of njf sports and media

Kike Levy is an entrepreneur and sports media executive. His journey in the industry spans over a decade, marked by significant contributions and leadership at the intersection of sports, media, and technology.

At Meta Platforms Inc., Kike held the role of Southern Europe Sports Lead, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape of sports media. His innovative approach, content development expertise, and dedication to monetization strategies added exceptional value to both media partners and Meta. Notably, Kike led the groundbreaking partnership with LaLiga, making Facebook the exclusive platform for live broadcasts of all LaLiga games in the Indian Subcontinent, a milestone that reshaped the sports and media industry.

Prior to his tenure at Meta, Kike made his mark at Twitter Inc., where he navigated the early days of digital content monetization and media partnerships. At his time at Infront Sports and Media AG, he was involved in different projects, from managing worldwide TV rights sales and on-site coordination of the FIS Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard World Cups, to designing digital strategies for renowned Italian football teams and Lega Serie A. His passion to sport was clear since the early days of his career journey, where he hold early roles at Real Madrid C.F.

As the industry continues to evolve, Kike remains a driving force in the convergence of sports, media, and technology, aiming to continue to inspire innovation and transform the way fans engage with their favorite sports and content.

BEN AVIGDORI, MANAGING DIRECTOR - INvestments

Ben Avigdori is the former CEO of the Rothschild Foundation. He was Chief Advisor to the late Lord Jacob Rothschild from 2020 until his passing in February 2024.

He brings a wealth of experience with over 25 years of experience across multiple industries and sectors. Originally qualifying as a solicitor in 2001, he has held board roles in both public and private companies, founded and exited businesses, and transacted and invested across multiple jurisdictions. 

At NJF Ben is principally focused on investments across Sports & Media.

Ben holds a Law Degree from the University of Leeds and attended law school at the University of Law in London. Outside NJF Ben is a Trustee of Rothschild Foundation H Europe.

Ryan Taylor, General Counsel

Ryan is a UK-qualified solicitor who trained and spent eight years at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, leaving as a Senior Associate in the corporate team.

During his career, Ryan has advised a range of multi-national corporates and financial institutions on complex, cross-border M&A deals, joint ventures and other corporate transactions. Ryan also completed secondments to Freshfields’ New York office and in-house to Novartis, Switzerland.

Ryan holds a Law degree from the University of Oxford.

PIERRE SAPIN, head of ventures

Pierre started his career as an investment banker specialising in technology at Goldman Sachs in both London and New York in Equity Capital Markets. He graduated with a Master’s degree in Economics and Finance from Paris Dauphine University. He worked for 10 years with Internet entrepreneur, Jean-Christophe Chopin who co-founded E*Trade Europe, then Verisign Europe and BORN. Pierre is co-founder of BORN, the first SaaS PremiumTech company reimagining how professional buyers and brands do business by leveraging technology. He oversaw business and corporate development for 9,000 B2B buyers and 1,600 brands.

Pierre is Head of Ventures for NJF Capital and brings a decade of operational experience to fast-growing companies. In this role, he sources, qualifies and brings value to our existing and future portfolio companies and founders.