AI dominated the news in 2025, and as we approach this year's close, it’s worth looking at the investors who helped Europe’s most ambitious founders get there. We reviewed the European funds that kept showing up in AI deals: the ones whose support turned early ideas into companies that actually made headlines.
AI Seed
HQ: London, UK
Stage: pre-seed and seed
Sector: AI
AI Seed is a specialist AI-focused VC firm investing at pre-seed and seed, with a portfolio built since 2017 by a team of exited founders. The fund has assembled one of Europe’s largest and best-performing portfolios of pure-play AI startups, with multiple exits including Odin Vision, Rahko, Observe, Facesoft, and EYN. Its active portfolio spans applied and deep AI across different verticals.
Amadeus Capital Partners
HQ: London, UK
Stage: early to growth
Sector: deeptech (AI, ML, quantum, advanced computing; plus health and climate, sustainability)
Amadeus Capital Partners is a long-standing deep tech VC firm founded in 1997, with over $1.3 billion raised and more than 190 portfolio companies. The firm invests across AI, quantum, advanced computing, and computational infrastructure, backing early-stage technologies with large-scale real-world applications. Its track record includes 17 IPOs and major exits, including OrganOx, acquired for $1.5 billion. Amadeus operates across three core verticals, Intelligence, Human, and Planet, funding startups solving complex problems in computation, healthcare, sustainability, and frontier science.
Antler
HQ: Amsterdam, the Netherlands (European HQ)
Stage: pre-idea, pre-seed, seed
Sector: generalist
Antler is a global day-zero investor who backs founders before they have a team or even a finalized idea, typically providing initial checks of around $100,000–150,000. It invests across multiple verticals, including AI, offering residencies worldwide for co-founder matching, rapid validation, and accelerated growth. With over 30 locations across six continents, Antler connects entrepreneurs to a vast network of experts, talent, and follow-on funding.
Bpifrance Digital Venture
HQ: Paris, France
Stage: pre-seed / seed
Sector: deeptech & AI (B2B software, AI infrastructure/components, data/analytics, healthcare)
Bpifrance Digital Venture is the early-stage arm of France’s sovereign investment bank, managing over €700 million across funds backing innovative tech startups. It typically invests at pre-seed and seed with small initial tickets (up to €100,000) and follow-on capacity. Since 2015, the team has backed 150+ AI startups, including Mistral AI, Poolside, H, Dust, and Bioptimus. Within Bpifrance’s broader mandate, it is contributing to the €10 billion in funding being deployed into France’s AI ecosystem by 2029 through equity, fund-of-funds, and national programs such as France 2030.
b2Venture
HQ: Berlin, Germany
Stage: early to growth
Sector: deeptech, AI & ML, biotech, climate, fintech, consumer, SaaS
b2venture operates in multiple locations, including St. Gallen, Munich, Luxembourg, Zurich, and Berlin. Through its dedicated funds and direct investment track, b2venture invests in startups in the DACH region and across Europe. Its portfolio includes companies from sectors such as deeptech, AI & ML, biotech, climate, fintech, consumer, and SaaS.
Balderton
HQ: London, UK
Stage: early to growth
Sector: generalist
Balderton Capital is a UK-based venture capital firm specializing in early- and growth-stage investments in technology companies. With a history spanning over 22 years, Balderton has raised $4.5 billion to invest in European technology startups, providing them with access to the combined insight, knowledge, and experience of its well-experienced team. They operate two funds: one for early-stage startups and one for growth startups.
Cathay Innovation
HQ: Paris, France
Stage: all stages
Sector: generalist
Cathay Innovation is a global, multi-stage venture capital firm affiliated with Cathay Capital. The firm invests in visionary, mission-driven teams at key growth inflection points, typically writing checks of $5-100 million, with the flexibility to lead or follow and reserves for follow-on rounds. Cathay Innovation emphasizes sustainable impact, supporting startups that contribute to economic, social, and environmental progress. Its investment philosophy combines global reach with local expertise, guided by principles of transparency, utility, and long-term partnership with determined and courageous entrepreneurs.
DN Capital
HQ: London, UK
Stage: from seed to growth
Sector: generalist
DN Capital is a transatlantic venture capital firm that has been backing entrepreneurs for over 20 years. With more than $1 billion in assets under management, the firm invests across seed, series A, and growth stages, providing up to €20 million per company. DN Capital prides itself on being a highly active partner, offering strategic guidance, business development support, and access to a strong global network. The firm has a proven track record with 58 exits and 7 IPOs across 16 countries.
Entrepreneurs First
HQ: London, UK
Stage: pre-idea, pre-seed, and seed
Sector: AI, deeptech, enterprise software
Entrepreneurs First is a global talent investor that builds founding teams from exceptional individuals, often before they have a concrete startup idea. Founded in 2011, EF has helped launch companies now valued at over $13 billion, including multiple unicorns, and its portfolio is backed by investors such as Sequoia, Andreessen Horowitz, SoftBank, and Khosla Ventures. The fund provides equity-free grants, up to $250,000 initial funding, and follow-on support up to $5 million, along with intensive mentorship and access to Silicon Valley networks.
Elaia
HQ: Paris
Stage: pre-seed to Series B
Sector: B2B, deeptech, biotech
Elaia is a long-established European tech investor with more than €850 million under management, over 100 investments, and 80 exits across its 20-year track record. The firm backs B2B technology companies from inception through early growth, typically investing €300,000 to €15 million. Elaia invests across Europe and Israel, with a focus on complex, high-innovation domains including deep tech and biotech.
EQT Ventures
HQ: Stockholm, Sweden
Stage: early to growth
Sector: generalist
EQT Ventures operates as a multi-stage venture capital fund, focusing on all stages of a startup’s growth, from early to Series B and beyond, primarily investing in European tech companies. Founded by former founders and entrepreneurs, EQT Ventures positions itself as an accessible, supportive, and committed partner that understands the challenges and risks founders face. With offices in Stockholm, London, Berlin, Paris, and San Francisco, the fund employs a sector-agnostic approach, investing from €2 million to €50 million.
Flyer One Ventures
HQ: Kyiv, Ukraine
Stage: pre-seed, seed
Sector: software
Flyer One Ventures is an early-stage VC fund led by entrepreneurs from one of the largest tech companies in CEE, managing investments in 95 startups totaling nearly €39 million. The fund typically invests €500,000 per company, with a range of €350,000 to €1.5 million, focusing on post-MVP, tech-driven businesses with initial traction. Flyer One Ventures backs companies building the application layer of global software, with a geographic focus in CEE and Ukraine.
GapMinder
HQ: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Stage: seed
Sector: AI, deeptech, B2B SaaS, enterprise automation, data analytics, fintech, cybersecurity, dev tools
GapMinder manages €130 million and invests in AI and deeptech startups founded in the SEE region or its global diaspora. The firm leads seed rounds and provides substantial follow-on capital, with 85% of its portfolio companies securing subsequent funding. Its investment profile targets early-traction teams operating in large markets with clear US/UK/global expansion strategies. The portfolio includes companies such as FintechOS, Druid AI, Veridion, Salestools, and Deepstash.
High-Tech Gründerfonds
HQ: Berlin, Germany
Stage: early stages
Sector: general tech
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a German seed investor seeking high-tech startups with growth potential. With a team of seasoned experts, HTGF provides knowledge and support to nurture young companies across sectors, including digital tech, industrial tech, life sciences, and chemistry. The fund specifically selects startups that are less than 3 years old and headquartered in Germany (or with a German base of operations), which in turn can count on investment tickets of up to € 1 million in the seed round and €4 million across all financing rounds.
IQ Capital
HQ: Cambridge, UK
Stage: pre-seed to Series A
Sector: deeptech
Focusing on sectors like computer science, energy, life sciences, fintech, space, and advanced engineering, IQ Capital has backed over 30 new investments in the past three years. The VC fund is currently investing from its fourth fund, ranging from £500,000 to £10 million per company, targeting disruptive deeptech across sectors such as generative AI, advanced engineering, space tech, quantum hardware, cybersecurity, and synthetic biology. It seeks seed and Series A opportunities with strong deep-tech IP and offers follow-on investments of up to £30 million through its Growth Fund.
Index Ventures
HQ: London, UK
Stage: early to growth
Sector: generalist
Index Ventures, headquartered in London, San Francisco, and Geneva, has made over 1000 investments across various companies. Offering strategic guidance and global connections, Index Ventures supports innovation in deeptech, software, e-commerce, fintech, climate, and more. It invests from the earliest and seed stages through late-stage, working with entrepreneurs and their companies at every stage and across every sector.
Kima Ventures
HQ: Paris, France
Stage: from seed to Series A
Sector: sector agnostic, with emphasis on deeptech, software, internet, fintech, AI
Headquartered in Paris with a London office, Kima Ventures is one of the most active early-stage investors, committing to 2-3 global investments per week. The fund provides €150,000 in tickets in 100 new deals annually, with flexibility in stage, deal size, and sector. Operating from seed to Series A, often as a lead investor, Kima Ventures assists startups in team building, learning, focus, and growth strategies.
LocalGlobe
HQ: London, UK
Stage: early stages
Sector: tech, B2B, and consumer software
LocalGlobe is a London-based early-stage venture capital firm that partners with founders from pre-seed through seed rounds. The firm invests across a broad range of tech sectors, including B2B software, AI, consumer applications, fintech, and Web3, supporting companies from initial traction to growth. The firm emphasizes long-term partnerships, providing operational support and follow-on funding through multiple rounds.
Look AI Ventures
HQ: Prague, Czech Republic
Stage: early growth from pre-Series A
Sector: AI
Look AI Ventures is the first Czech VC fund exclusively focused on AI startups worldwide, launched in Q4 2022. The fund has evaluated over 7,400 startups, discovers around 180 new AI startups monthly, and covers 130+ industries across 89% of European countries. LAIV invests in teams with strong technical expertise and prototypes, providing both financial backing and hands-on support through mentorship, industry connections, and follow-on fundraising assistance.
MMC Ventures
HQ: London, UK
Stage: seed, Series A
Sector: AI, data science
MMC Ventures is an early-stage European VC investing up to £10M per company, primarily leading Series A rounds while selectively backing seed-stage startups. The firm focuses on AI and data-driven technologies, including enterprise software, cloud and data infrastructure, fintech, and data-driven healthcare, with particular expertise in deploying these solutions at scale. MMC allocates a significant portion of its funds to follow-on investments, supporting long-term growth for its portfolio companies. Its geographic focus spans the UK and broader Europe, with notable investments in Spain, France, Germany, the Nordics, and Eastern Europe.
Molten Ventures
HQ: London, UK
Stage: Series A and above
Sector: consumer, digital health and wellness, AI, deeptech, hardware, cloud, enterprise, and SaaS
With offices in London, Cambridge, and Dublin, Molten Ventures focuses on Series A rounds and beyond, targeting companies tackling significant technological challenges across various sectors. Molten’s latest fund aims to capitalize on its established approach of identifying and nurturing Europe's tech leaders in sectors including deeptech, hardware, software, healthcare, and consumer technology.
Northzone
HQ: Stockholm, Sweden
Stage: seed to growth
Sector: generalist
Northzone is a multi-stage venture capital fund that partners with founders from seed to growth, investing across Europe and the US. Typical check sizes range from €1 million to €40 million. Northzone is sector-agnostic but focuses on companies aiming to redefine or lead their category. Its philosophy prioritizes long-term partnerships, fair ownership terms, and team diversity, while avoiding rigid KPIs and conventional venture pressures.
OTB Ventures
HQ: Amsterdam & Warsaw
Stage: late seed / Series A (early growth)
Sector: deeptech (AI & automation, fintech infrastructure, space tech, cybersecurity)
OTB Ventures is a pan-European investor managing over $350 million and backing post-product B2B deep tech companies with global scaling potential. The fund targets startups with proprietary IP and early revenue traction, typically investing €1–7 million initially and up to €25 million per company across multiple rounds. Its focus spans four core pillars: AI and automation, fintech infrastructure, spacetech, and cybersecurity. OTB invests primarily in European founders building internationally ambitious companies.
Point Nine Capital
HQ: Berlin, Germany
Stage: pre-seed, seed, early Series A
Sector: SaaS, AI, B2B marketplaces
Point Nine Capital is an early-stage VC firm that has been investing since 2008, backing notable companies such as Algolia, Chainalysis, Contentful, Delivery Hero, Docplanner, Loom, and Zendesk. They focus primarily on seed-stage investments, with initial tickets of €0.5–5 million, and often follow on into Series A rounds. While Europe is their home market, 20–30% of investments are made in the US, Canada, and beyond. Over 65% of their seed-stage portfolio goes on to raise a Series A, with more than 10 companies reaching $ 100 million+ ARR.
Prima Materia
HQ: Stockholm, Sweden
Stage: early stages / pre-seed
Sector: deeptech, clean energy, AI, healthcare, natural resources
Prima Materia is a boutique venture builder and investor that prioritizes building a small, high-impact portfolio rather than deploying capital broadly, partnering with founders from day one to lay the foundation of companies that can create meaningful societal impact. Unlike traditional VCs, Prima Materia acts as an active builder and long-term owner, providing capital, network, and hands-on support across technical and strategic areas.
Seedcamp
HQ: London, UK
Stage: pre-seed, seed
Sector: generalist
Seedcamp is a European early-stage venture fund that acts as a first backer, investing $350,000–1 million in startups from pre-product to post-revenue stages. The fund emphasizes hands-on support, providing access to expertise in hiring, marketing, product, finance, and legal matters, as well as a global network of founders, angels, and co-investors. Seedcamp runs a fast, founder-friendly investment process that completes within two weeks of initial engagement. They back founders worldwide but primarily focus on European startups, often leading or co-leading investment rounds to build strong syndicates.
SFC Capital
HQ: Northwich, UK
Stage: early stages
Sector: generalist
SFC is a UK-based venture capital firm focused on investing in innovative startups through partnerships with universities, spinouts, accelerators, and angel investors. With over £150 million in assets under management, SFC operates the UK’s leading SEIS Fund, investing in 15-20 companies per fund to build diverse portfolios across sectors such as deeptech, B2B software, fintech, medtech, and green tech. Its follow-on All-Star EIS Fund reinvests in 10-15 of the top-performing portfolio companies.
Speedinvest
HQ: Vienna, Austria
Stage: early to growth
Sector: deeptech, fintech, health, techbio, climate tech, industrial tech, marketplaces & consumer, SaaS
Speedinvest is a pan-European venture capital firm that offers an extensive industry-specific network connecting portfolio companies with other founders and experts at every stage. The fund’s initial ticket size ranges from €300,000 to €2 million for SaaS and from €250,000 to €15 million for fintech, depending on the market segment. Speedinvest primarily invests in pre-seed and seed-stage startups.
Startup Wise Guys
HQ: Tallinn, Estonia
Stage: pre-seed to seed
Sector: B2B SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, proptech, sustainability, Web3
Startup Wise Guys is one of the most experienced early-stage accelerators in Europe, operating since 2012 with over 45 accelerator programs and a community of founders from 60+ countries. The fund typically invests €100K in its flagship programs and has supported over 800 founders, with portfolio companies raising more than €460M and achieving 20+ exits. It focuses on B2B startups across verticals, including SaaS, AI, fintech, cybersecurity, proptech, sustainability, and Web3, with a strong presence in CEE and CIS countries.
SpeedUp Venture Capital Group
HQ: Poznań, Poland
Stage: from seed to Series A
Sector: consumer internet, fintech, martech, adtech, e-mobility, industry 4.0, medtech, IoT, hardware
SpeedUp Venture Capital Group is a CEE-focused investment group with a long track record of supporting early-stage technology companies. Investments typically range from €50,000 to €4 million, with an investment horizon of 3 to 8 years. The fund targets European founders, primarily from Central and Eastern Europe, who are building solutions in AI, machine learning, and image recognition across both software and hardware.
SquareOne
HQ: Berlin, Germany
Stage: pre-seed, seed
Sector: B2B enterprise, SaaS, tech
SquareOne is a single-stage European VC fund investing in pre-seed and seed B2B tech startups, with typical checks ranging from €350,000 to €3.5 million. The fund focuses on founding teams with complementary skills in industry, technology, and sales, who are deeply committed to solving complex problems in large markets. SquareOne aims to be the first institutional investor on the cap table, providing hands-on support from day one and aligning incentives fully with the founding team.
Tera Ventures
HQ: Tallinn
Stage: seed
Sector: digital tech (AI-driven SaaS, robotics, deeptech, fintech, security)
Tera Ventures is an Estonian seed-stage investor backing born-global digital startups across the Nordics, Baltics, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The firm has over 15 years of experience investing in AI-powered technologies, spanning enterprise SaaS, robotics, fintech, security, and broader deeptech applications. Tera typically leads seed rounds and provides follow-on support through early stages.
