 |
| Venture Captial Firms For Startups in Europe |
Europe's startup ecosystem has matured into a global force, attracting founders, talent, and capital from all corners of the world. Behind many of these success stories are top-tier venture capital firms that provide not only funding but also strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to influential networks. Whether you're launching your first startup or scaling your second, knowing the best Venture Capital firms in Europe is key to your growth journey. In this article, we’ll spotlight the top 10 startup venture capital firms in Europe that are driving innovation across the continent.
(toc) Table of Content
1. Seedcamp - London, UK
Seedcamp is arguably Europe’s most influential early-stage venture capital firm. Based in London and launched in 2007, Seedcamp was built to support pre-seed and seed-stage startups across sectors like SaaS, fintech, and healthtech. The firm has backed over 400 startups, including unicorns like TransferWise (now Wise), UiPath, and Hopin.
Seedcamp is more than a source of capital - it’s a community. Their Seedcamp Nation brings founders together with world-class mentors, operators, and investors. What sets them apart is their hands-on approach, helping startups with everything from hiring to international expansion.
Notable Investments: Wise, Revolut, UiPath, Hopin, WeFox
Stage: Pre-seed, Seed
2. Global Founders Capital - Berlin, Germany
With global reach and serious firepower, Global Founders Capital (GFC) is a key player in the European VC scene. GFC operates from Berlin but has offices across the world. Backed by the Samwer brothers of Rocket Internet fame, GFC is known for moving fast and writing checks quickly - ideal for early-stage founders looking for decisive investors.
GFC invests across all stages and sectors, offering founders not just funding but access to a global startup-building infrastructure. They’ve backed major names like Facebook, Slack, and Zalando.
Notable Investments: Facebook, Slack, Revolut, Canva, Zalando
Stage: Seed to Growth
3. Hi Ventures - Budapest, Hungary
A rising star in Central and Eastern Europe, Hi Ventures is a government-backed venture capital fund based in Hungary. Their goal is to stimulate the Hungarian startup ecosystem and support scalable businesses in the region.
Hi Ventures is especially notable for offering a suite of funding programs - from idea-stage grants to Series A investments. For startups in emerging European markets, they are a powerful ally and one of the most accessible VCs in the region.
Notable Investments: Innoria, IPR-Insights, Tresorit
Stage: Pre-seed to Series A
4. Earlybird Venture Capital - Berlin, Germany
Earlybird is one of Europe’s oldest and most respected VC firms. Founded in 1997, this Berlin-based firm focuses on European technology companies, particularly those innovating in enterprise software, deep tech, and digital health.
What makes Earlybird unique is its geographical focus. They have dedicated funds for both Western and Eastern Europe, helping to balance the flow of capital across the continent. Their track record includes some of Europe’s biggest tech wins.
Notable Investments: N26, UiPath, Smava, Socialbakers
Stage: Seed to Series B
5. Partech - Paris, France
Partech is a global investment firm with strong European roots. Headquartered in Paris, with offices in Berlin, San Francisco, and Dakar, Partech takes a multi-stage investment approach-backing startups from seed all the way to growth stages.
They invest in a broad range of sectors including SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, and digital health. With a strong reputation and an impressive portfolio, Partech is particularly valuable for startups looking to expand internationally from Europe.
Notable Investments: Alan, ManoMano, Sorare, Glovo, Jellysmack
Stage: Seed to Growth
6. Speedinvest - Vienna, Austria
Based in Vienna, Speedinvest has grown into one of Europe’s most active seed-stage VC firms. They have over €1 billion in assets under management and specialize in early-stage startups across fintech, marketplaces, deep tech, and healthtech.
What makes Speedinvest stand out is its “Platform+” support model, where founders get access to expert teams for growth, hiring, operations, and fundraising. They're known for being deeply founder-friendly and hands-on.
Notable Investments: Bitpanda, WeFox, GoStudent, Tier Mobility
Stage: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
7. Octopus Ventures - London, UK
Octopus Ventures, a part of the broader Octopus Group, is one of Europe’s largest and most active VC firms. Headquartered in London, they primarily invest in early-stage startups with big visions-particularly in the health, climate, fintech, and deep tech sectors.
With over £1.5 billion under management, Octopus Ventures is best known for backing mission-driven startups. They offer incredible support through their Venture Partners Network and global expansion teams.
Notable Investments: Depop, Cazoo, Zoopla, Elvie, Big Health
Stage: Seed to Series B
8. Holtzbrinck Ventures (now HV Capital) - Munich, Germany
HV Capital, formerly known as Holtzbrinck Ventures, is one of the oldest and most successful venture capital firms in Germany. Since its founding in 2000, HV Capital has invested in over 200 startups and manages over €2 billion in assets.
HV Capital is especially known for its strong track record in B2C businesses. They've helped scale some of Europe’s most beloved digital brands, and their team offers exceptional operational expertise to their portfolio.
Notable Investments: Zalando, FlixBus, HelloFresh, Enpal
Stage: Seed to Growth
9. Wellington Partners - Munich, Germany
Wellington Partners is a European VC firm with a strong focus on life sciences and deep tech. Headquartered in Munich, the firm has made significant investments in medtech, biotech, and AI-powered enterprise solutions.
Though Wellington Partners keeps a relatively tight portfolio, the quality of their investments speaks volumes. They are ideal for deep tech startups looking for patient capital and domain-specific expertise.
Notable Investments: Spotify, Immatics, Wiko, Quanta
Stage: Series A to Growth
10. Hoxton Ventures - London, UK
Hoxton Ventures is a boutique seed-stage VC firm based in London with a laser focus on identifying the next European unicorns. Despite being a smaller team, Hoxton has achieved outsized results by investing early in transformational companies.
Their approach is high-conviction and hands-on. Hoxton is ideal for startups aiming for global markets, especially in software, marketplace, and AI-driven sectors.
Notable Investments: Deliveroo, Babylon Health, SuperAwesome
Stage: Seed, Series A
A Thriving European Venture Capital Landscape
The venture capital ecosystem in Europe is no longer just an emerging scene-it’s a powerhouse. From UK and France to Germany, Austria, and Hungary, venture capital firms across the continent are not only funding startups but fueling the future of innovation. Whether it’s Seedcamp’s mentorship-driven model or Global Founders Capital’s fast-moving deal flow, each of these firms brings something unique to the table.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what makes these VC firms stand out:
| VC Firm | HQ Location | Key Sectors | Stage Focus | Unicorns Backed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedcamp | London, UK | Fintech, SaaS, Health | Pre-seed to Seed | Wise, UiPath, Revolut |
| Global Founders Capital | Berlin, Germany | All sectors | Seed to Growth | Facebook, Slack, Zalando |
| Hi Ventures | Budapest, Hungary | Generalist, Regional | Idea to Series A | Tresorit, IPR-Insights |
| Earlybird | Berlin, Germany | Deep Tech, Health | Seed to Series B | UiPath, N26 |
| Partech | Paris, France | SaaS, eCommerce | Seed to Growth | Alan, Glovo, Sorare |
| Speedinvest | Vienna, Austria | Fintech, Marketplaces | Pre-seed to Series A | GoStudent, WeFox |
| Octopus Ventures | London, UK | Health, Climate, Fintech | Seed to Series B | Depop, Cazoo, Elvie |
| HV Capital | Munich, Germany | B2C, Marketplaces | Seed to Growth | HelloFresh, Zalando |
| Wellington Partners | Munich, Germany | Life Sciences, Deep Tech | Series A to Growth | Spotify, Quanta |
| Hoxton Ventures | London, UK | AI, SaaS, Marketplaces | Seed, Series A | Deliveroo, Babylon Health |
Final Thoughts
If you're a founder in Europe, this list should be your go-to resource when mapping out potential VC partners. Each of these firms offers a unique value proposition, whether it’s mentorship, global networks, or deep operational support. Getting the right VC partner isn’t just about money-it’s about finding someone who believes in your vision, supports your mission, and helps you scale smart.
Startups that team up with the right venture capital firms gain more than just funding-they unlock access to a powerful ecosystem that can drive exponential growth. As Europe's tech scene continues to rise, these top 10 VC firms will be at the center of its most exciting success stories.
Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by --> Following us