Stefan holds degrees in finance, tax law and business administration, and supports founders in areas such as funding, fundraising strategy, financial modeling, and investor communications.
Stefan Walter co-founded NAP (formerly Cavalry Ventures) in 2015 as a Berlin-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests very early, often pre-product and pre-revenue, emphasizing timing and founder readiness over traditional metrics. With a background in business economics and prior experience in tax and corporate law, Stefan has shaped NAP's investment philosophy to focus on expert founders building companies with proprietary data, instant utility, and strong interoperability. His approach prioritizes long-term partnerships that support startups without overcomplicating relationships.
At NAP, Stefan Walter leads a founder-friendly investment strategy that avoids unnecessary due diligence delays and complex negotiations, focusing instead on identifying startups with real market potential. Stefan and his team pride themselves on being straightforward and transparent, supporting portfolio companies with capital, guidance, and connections while maintaining agility in decision-making.
You'll gain valuable insights from Stefan Walter's experience in early-stage investing and his perspective on fostering strong founder-investor relationships in the evolving European tech landscape. Stefan will share lessons on identifying market potential in pre-revenue companies, navigating challenges of building innovative companies, and partnering effectively with investors who understand early-stage realities.
Meet Stefan Walter at How to Web Conference 2025 to learn his approach to transparent, founder-friendly venture capital that drives early-stage success.
Other featured speakers
Andrei Dudoiu
CEO & Co-Founder @ SeedBlink @ SeedBlink
Andrei Dudoiu is the CEO and Co-Founder of SeedBlink, one of Europe’s most dynamic investment platforms focused on tech startups and equity management.
Alexander Agureev
Investor @ Northzone
Alex focuses on growth-stage companies across enterprise, fintech, and infrastructure & developers both in Europe and on the East Coast. He is particularly interested in verticalized solutions that cater to underserved market niches and have the potential to disrupt sleepy market incumbents.
Pavel Petrek
General Partner @ Tilia Impact Ventures
Pavel Petrek is the General Partner at Tilia Impact Ventures, the first impact venture capital fund in the Czech Republic, backing founders in Central and Eastern Europe who are solving the region’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.
Nicoleta Cherciu
Managing Partner @ Cherciu & Co
Nicoleta Cherciu is a technology and investment lawyer, AI legal expert, and the founder of Cherciu & Co. She advises venture capital funds on set-up, financing, and investment activities, and supports technology companies on product, IP, security, go-to-market, and corporate legal matters. Her work sits at the crossroads of law, innovation, and business strategy.