Nazca Capital, a Spanish venture capital firm, has appointed Carme Artigas as an Operating Partner, marking a strategic move to expand its capabilities in deep-tech and dual-use technology investments.
Artigas will assume leadership of the firm’s newly established Technology Committee and take a seat on the Industrial Advisory Council. Her appointment underscores Nazca Capital’s commitment to strengthening its investment thesis around artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and emerging technologies with potential dual-use applications.
Strategic Addition to Venture Leadership
The operating partner role places Artigas in a position to directly influence the firm’s investment strategy and portfolio support mechanisms. Her involvement with the Technology Committee signals an organizational emphasis on evaluating and nurturing companies operating at the intersection of advanced technology sectors, where technical expertise and market understanding are equally critical.
Artigas brings substantial experience from her previous work in Spain’s digital and technology policy landscape. Her background in government affairs and technology governance positions her to provide valuable perspective on regulatory environments, institutional relationships, and strategic foresight—dimensions increasingly important for deep-tech investors navigating complex market conditions.
Growing Focus on Deep-Tech and Dual-Use Technologies
The appointment reflects broader momentum within European venture capital toward investing in foundational technologies with applications across multiple sectors. Deep-tech ventures, particularly those addressing artificial intelligence and digital transformation challenges, have attracted sustained investor attention despite economic headwinds affecting earlier-stage startup funding.
Dual-use technology—innovations with both commercial and strategic applications—represents a particularly nuanced investment category requiring sophisticated due diligence and understanding of regulatory frameworks. The inclusion of deep-tech expertise on an advisory council suggests Nazca Capital is positioning itself to evaluate these opportunities with greater technical rigor.
Ecosystem Context
Spain’s startup ecosystem has cultivated particular strengths in deep-tech and frontier technology sectors over recent years. Madrid and Barcelona have emerged as hubs for AI-focused companies and advanced manufacturing ventures. By augmenting its internal capabilities with experienced operators like Artigas, Nazca Capital joins other European venture firms in recognizing that successful deep-tech investing requires more than capital deployment—it demands active partnership and strategic guidance.
The broader European startup landscape has increasingly emphasized the importance of venture partners who combine technical knowledge with policy awareness. As European regulations around artificial intelligence, data protection, and technology governance continue evolving, investors backing deep-tech companies benefit from operating partners who understand these institutional contexts.
Artigas’s appointment arrives as European venture capital maintains selective deployment despite macroeconomic challenges. Specialized firms focusing on defined technology sectors and experienced management teams have generally sustained investor confidence more effectively than generalist platforms.