High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Bonn, Germany, specializing in early-stage investments in high-tech startups. Established in 2005, the firm focuses on technology-driven companies across various sectors, including information and communication technology, life sciences, healthcare, automation, and cleantech. HTGF typically invests in companies that have been operational for no more than one year, aiming to contribute up to €0.6 million in initial funding and up to €3 million in follow-on financing. The firm seeks a minority stake, generally around 15%, and provides a subordinated loan convertible into equity, with deferred interest for up to four years to support liquidity. With a total investment volume of approximately €895.5 million across three funds, HTGF has successfully supported over 500 startups and attracted more than €2 billion in follow-on investments from external sources. The firm's investors include notable public and private entities, underscoring its role as a key player in fostering innovation and growth within the German startup ecosystem.
Founded in 1995, Bayern Kapital is a venture capital firm based in Landshut, Germany. It specializes in growth capital investments, focusing on high-tech companies in sectors such as biotechnology, IT, and environmental technology. The firm primarily invests in small and medium-sized companies located exclusively in Bavaria, with typical investment amounts ranging from €0.25 million to €9 million.
HV Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm supporting founders in developing internet companies. Established in 2000, it has invested in over 200 companies including Zalando and Delivery Hero, with fund sizes ranging from €500,000 to €50 million.
Speedinvest is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, with offices in Berlin, Paris, London, Munich, and San Francisco, that focuses on early-stage technology investments across Europe, including Central and Eastern Europe. The firm backs seed to early growth rounds in areas including deep tech, fintech, health, industrial tech, marketplaces, consumer tech, software-as-a-service, and network effects, with a platform philosophy and hands-on support via an in-house Platform+ team that provides growth marketing, human resources, US business development, and networking assistance from day one. Typical investments range from a few hundred thousand euros up to about three million euros, with a preference for minority stakes up to around 20% and for taking co-entrepreneurial operational roles for six months to a year. Speedinvest was founded in 2011 and is known for combining capital with hands-on operational support to help portfolio companies scale.
High-Tech Gründerfonds is a German seed and early-stage venture capital firm that backs technology startups across Germany. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Bonn with an additional office in Berlin, it focuses on high-tech sectors such as information technology, software, hardware, IoT, robotics, energy, life sciences, healthcare and clean tech. The firm targets very young companies, typically with a small team and limited turnover, often at or near product launch. It provides initial funding and follow-on rounds to support growth, generally taking a minority stake and offering flexible financing that can include a subordinated loan convertible to equity. HTGF frequently acts as lead investor or co-invests with others, and aims to build long-term partnerships to help portfolio companies scale, commercialize technology and reach later financing milestones.
IBG is a venture capital firm based in Magdeburg, Germany. Established in 2000, it specializes in seed to growth stage investments, focusing on technology-oriented companies within the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. IBG invests across various sectors including software, industrials, energy, healthcare, and biotechnology, typically allocating up to €10 million per company and aiming for minority stakes up to 24.9%.
Founded in Munich, Germany in 2015, Picus Capital is an early-stage technology investment firm with a long-term investment philosophy. It works closely with daring founders to build successful global companies across various sectors including financial services, HR, energy & climate, healthcare, logistics & mobility, real estate & construction, crypto & web3, deeptech, and e-commerce. Picus invests in pre-seed, seed, and series A ventures, aiming to become the closest partner of its portfolio companies by supporting strategic decisions and operative challenges throughout their lifecycle.
IBB Ventures, established in 1997 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, is a venture capital firm specializing in seed/startup to mid-stage investments. It focuses on technology-oriented companies and creative industries, with a particular interest in information and communication technologies, life sciences, industrial technologies, media, entertainment, and software sectors. The firm typically invests between €0.25 million and €3 million per transaction, preferring to take a board seat in its portfolio companies.
Established in 1997, this company supports emerging tech startups and innovative businesses by providing equity and quasi-equity financing to aid in product development and market launch.
Earlybird Venture Capital is a Berlin-based investment firm founded in 1997 that backs technology companies through development and growth stages in Europe and the United States. It manages about EUR 2 billion and is regarded as one of Europe's most experienced venture investors, offering not only capital but also strategic guidance and access to an international network and capital markets. The firm pursues early- and growth-stage opportunities across consumer goods, consumer services, information technology, SaaS, health tech, life sciences, fintech, e-commerce, and related sectors, with a focus on European and US markets. Earlybird has a track record of eight IPOs and 30 trade sales, highlighting its ability to support portfolio companies as they scale globally.
Established in 2020, the European Innovation Council supports innovative startups and researchers with promising ideas, focusing on early-stage companies with positive environmental, social, or governance impacts. It co-invests alongside private investors.
Founded in Berlin in 2013, Atlantic Labs is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments. They support ambitious founders across various sectors, with a recent focus on decarbonization, artificial intelligence, and industrial automation.
Founded in 2000, B2Venture is a Swiss venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments across various sectors including AI/ML, automation, biotech, fintech, and more. They invest EUR 100m+ annually with ticket sizes ranging from EUR 0.25m to 3.5m.
Insight Partners is a global software investor that partners with growth-stage technology and software companies. The firm focuses on growth-stage software, internet, and data services, with emphasis on fintech, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning, DevOps, and healthcare. Based in New York City with offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Palo Alto, Insight Partners has backed more than 750 companies worldwide and has more than 55 portfolio companies that have achieved an IPO. As of 2022, the firm reports over $75 billion in assets under management. It seeks to fund and work closely with visionary executives, providing practical, hands-on software expertise to support growth from initial investment through to IPO.
WestTech Ventures is a Berlin-based venture capital firm established in 2013, specializing in pre-seed and seed investments in B2B software startups across Germany. The firm concentrates on sectors such as enterprise SaaS, automation, climate solutions, the future of work, and health, aiming to support companies that strive for a positive global impact through technology. With extensive experience from over 80 direct and indirect investments, WestTech Ventures positions itself as a knowledgeable partner in the startup ecosystem, fostering growth and innovation in emerging ventures.
Allianz Global Investors is a global investment management firm backed by Allianz. It provides active investment strategies for individuals, families, and institutions, including mutual funds, managed accounts, and alternative investments across equity, fixed income, and multi-asset portfolios. The firm serves a broad client base such as individuals, financial advisers, asset managers, pension funds, insurers, banks, foundations, and charities, and conducts investments across global public markets. It emphasizes fundamental analysis with bottom-up stock selection complemented by macro analysis and external research, supported by a global research network. With offices across multiple countries, Allianz Global Investors delivers research-driven investment capabilities and risk management to clients worldwide. The firm manages assets in the hundreds of billions of dollars, reflecting its large, diversified platform within Allianz's asset management business.
Founded in Berlin in 2012, Project A Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that combines financial support with operational services for technology companies. With over $600 million in assets under management and a team of more than 100 experts across software engineering, business intelligence, marketing, and recruiting, the firm offers comprehensive assistance to its portfolio companies. Notable investments include Trade Republic, sennder, KRY, Catawiki, WorldRemit, Spryker, and Voi.
European Investment Bank is the EU's long-term lending institution owned by its member states. It finances public and private sector projects across transportation, energy, telecommunications, health, education, water, housing, and other sectors in the European Union and beyond. The bank provides a range of financing tools including project loans, guarantees, debt and equity investments, and risk-sharing arrangements, as well as microfinance and venture capital funds. It also offers advisory services, infrastructure funding, and support for urban development, PPPs, and sustainable energy projects. Through infrastructure and environmental funds and partnerships with banks and intermediaries, it supports SMEs, innovation, and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Coparion is a German venture capital firm founded in 2015, headquartered in Cologne with a presence in Berlin. It manages a EUR 275 million fund, investing in early-stage and growth-phase companies, typically in the technology sector. Coparion provides capital up to EUR 15 million per company, usually in multiple rounds of EUR 0.5-8 million each, supporting entrepreneurs' visions with expertise while allowing them to manage their businesses independently. The firm co-invests with others and focuses on German start-ups and early-growth companies.
UVC Partners is a Munich- and Berlin-based early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2011 in Garching, Germany, that backs technology-driven startups in Europe, focusing on B2B software, enterprise tech, industrial technology, and mobility; it typically makes initial investments from €0.5 million to €10 million and can provide up to €20 million in total funding per portfolio company.
EASME is a European Union executive agency that supports small and medium-sized enterprises and promotes innovation in Europe. It manages projects in the areas of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the environment, energy, and maritime sectors, funded by COSME, LIFE, and EMFF. EASME organizes the European Sustainable Energy Week and serves industries such as environmental management, energy production, and maritime activities.
Cherry Ventures is a Berlin-based early-stage venture capital firm that backs European founders, often acting as their first institutional investor. It focuses on seed and pre-seed investments across Europe and provides hands-on support in go-to-market strategy and scaling. The firm maintains offices in London, Paris, and Stockholm and backs companies across sectors such as fintech, consumer goods, health tech, industrials, climate tech, and software. Cherry Ventures has funded more than 50 seed-stage companies across Europe, including FlixBus and Infarm, reflecting an active, hands-on approach to helping startups achieve rapid growth.
Founded in Berlin in 2013, Global Founders Capital is a venture capital firm supporting entrepreneurs across various stages and global markets. It focuses on software and TMT sectors, investing based on potential impact and feasibility.
Founded in 2015, FJ Labs is a New York-based venture capital firm focusing on stage-agnostic investments in marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. Their investment range varies from $50,000 to $5,000,000, typically at seed or series A stages.
KfW is a state-owned German development bank, established in 1948. It operates through various segments to provide financing and funding for businesses, infrastructure projects, and private individuals. KfW focuses on promoting economic, social, and ecological improvements domestically and internationally.
Founded in 2020, 468 Capital is a Berlin-based investment firm focusing on opportunities across technology, healthcare, renewable energy, and other sectors. It employs a systematic approach to investment analysis and collaborates with various partners to support its strategies.
Redalpine is a pan-European venture capital firm founded in 2006 that blends financial investment, operational expertise, and an extensive international network to help entrepreneurs turn their vision into reality. With offices in Zurich and Berlin and a presence in London and San Francisco, it backs software and science companies across Europe from early stages onward, managing over 1 billion in assets. The firm supports a broad portfolio of disruptive startups, including N26, Taxfix, Inkitt, 9fin, Carvolution, vivenu, and Infinite Roots, through hands-on guidance and strategic connections across its network. It focuses on Europe-wide investments in information technology, healthcare, fintech, and related sectors, aiming to drive value creation through active involvement with portfolio companies.
TGFS is an early-stage venture capital fund focused on investing in high-tech startups with strong growth potential, primarily located within Saxony, Germany's leading semiconductor hub.
Founded in Berlin in 2011, Rheingau Founders is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments in European B2B startups. It primarily invests in sectors such as Marketplaces, Software as a Service, InsurTech, and eHealth, seeking companies with the potential to disrupt existing processes.
Invest AG is the private equity and venture capital arm of Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich Aktiengesellschaft, specializing in investments in small and medium-sized enterprises. Established in 1994 and headquartered in Linz, Austria, the firm manages a portfolio of approximately 180 million euros, focusing on expansion and growth financing, management buyouts, and other financial strategies, while avoiding investments in tourism and restructuring. It generally invests between 1.5 million and 15 million euros, seeking a stake of no more than 49 percent in the companies it supports. The firm operates primarily in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with a particular emphasis on the Upper Austrian region for young entrepreneurs. Invest AG has invested in over 140 companies across various sectors and aims to exit its investments through methods such as IPOs and trade sales. The firm prides itself on providing long-term stability and expertise to its partners, assisting them in operational, commercial, and strategic matters.
Fly Ventures is a Berlin-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology startups across Europe. Founded in 2015, it serves as a first-check investor for technical founders solving hard problems, providing capital from day zero through seed stage to back European teams building software and other technology-driven ventures.
Vorwerk Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in Berlin, Germany in 2008. It focuses on investing in growth-stage consumer technology companies with direct-to-customer business models, typically committing between €1 million to €10 million per investment. The firm seeks minority equity stakes and has a strong commitment towards startups driving positive impact for people and the planet.
BayBG Venture Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm that backs technology startups in Bavaria. Founded in 1972, it uses an evergreen investment approach that avoids traditional fund constraints. The firm primarily provides equity investments and can also offer venture debt to help maturing startups reach break-even while limiting founder dilution. As a private investment company, it can act as lead investor or co-investor and may serve as a private lead investor for other investors. The firm focuses on supporting growing Bavarian tech companies throughout their development.
Founded in 1997, BMP Ventures is a Berlin-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage and growth startups across various sectors such as fintech & legaltech, mobility & automotive, cleantech & planet positive, life sciences & e-health, media & gaming, industry & deep-tech, and digital solutions. The firm typically invests between €0.5 million to €10 million, seeking minority holdings.
Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983 and based in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in San Francisco, London, and Bangalore. It focuses on early and growth-stage technology startups, investing across software, cloud, data analytics, mobile technology, consumer services, fintech, security, healthcare, and information technologies. Accel seeks to partner with entrepreneurs to build world-class companies that define new categories and drive growth. Its portfolio includes notable technology companies such as Atlassian, Dropbox, Slack, Spotify, Etsy, Cloudera, DJI, Braintree, and Lookout Security, among others.
SoftBank Robotics Europe, formerly Aldebaran Robotics, designs and manufactures humanoid robots for education, research, health, distribution, tourism, business applications, and home use. The company serves customers worldwide and focuses on interactive robotics that assist professionals and individuals. Founded in 2005, it is based in Paris, France, with additional offices in France, Japan, the United States, and China, and operates as a subsidiary of SoftBank Group.
Capnamic is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage companies across Europe. Founded in 2013, it focuses on technology startups, with a particular interest in business products and services, financial services, and information technology sectors. The firm's experienced team has made over 70 investments, including several successful trade sales and IPOs.
Acton Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 1999 that focuses on growth-stage investments in technology-enabled companies. It backs startups across Europe and North America, spanning sectors such as consumer goods, fintech, SaaS, digital health, mobility and education, as well as the future of work. The firm maintains a global reach with a presence in Munich and Vancouver and has deployed over 700 million euros across more than 199 portfolio companies through five funds, supporting them toward market leadership.
Axel Springer is a leading global media company with a strong presence in over 40 countries. Founded in 1946 by Axel Springer, the company initially focused on print publishing but has since expanded into digital platforms and services. Today, Axel Springer operates as a diversified media business, offering informative and entertaining journalism alongside marketing and classifieds segments. The company is committed to accelerating its digital transformation, investing in strategic acquisitions, and fostering innovation through partnerships with digital start-ups.
Founded in Munich, Germany in 2004, MIG Capital is a leading venture capital firm focusing on European Deep Tech and Life Sciences investments from seed to late-stage. With over €1.2 billion committed by private investors across Germany and Austria, the firm manages 17 public venture capital funds regulated by BaFin.
Northzone is a venture capital firm founded in 1996 and based in London, with offices in New York, Oslo, and Stockholm. It invests in technology-enabled companies across healthcare, software, hardware, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, blockchain, and gaming, spanning early-stage and multi-stage opportunities. The firm emphasizes connections by helping portfolio companies access customers, partners, and talent on an international scale. Northzone has backed notable founders of Spotify, Avito, iZettle, Klarna, and Hopin, reflecting a history of building category-defining businesses. The firm maintains a Nordic and European footprint while operating globally, and has raised substantial capital, including over €1.5 billion in funds.
Wellington Partners is a Munich-based venture capital firm with offices in London and Zurich that invests in technology and life sciences companies across Europe. It targets early-stage and growth-stage opportunities in Digital Media, Software, Electronics and Photonics, Resource Efficiency and Biotech/Life Sciences, including digital health, industrial biotechnology and IT/TMT sectors. The firm provides entrepreneurs with resources to execute their strategies and typically leads rounds, with investments ranging from approximately €0.5 million to €20 million and potential commitments up to €15 million depending on maturity. Since its founding in 1998, it has backed European startups through multiple investment vehicles focused on technology and life sciences.
NRW.Bank, headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, is a development bank serving the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It offers a wide range of financial products and services, including low-interest loans, equity financing, and advisory support, primarily for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as initiatives in fields like housing, infrastructure, and innovation. The bank also provides funding for start-ups, social housing, urban development, and environmental projects. It operates competitively neutral, partnering with banks and savings institutions, and combines state, federal, and EU promotion programs with its own products.
IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Hamburg, Germany, focusing on seed financing and supporting early-stage innovative companies. As a subsidiary of Hamburgische Investitions- und Förderbank, it aims to stimulate local entrepreneurship by investing in young companies with fewer than 50 employees and annual sales or balance sheets under €10 million. The firm typically invests up to €0.6 million per financing round, with a total possible investment of up to €1 million across multiple rounds. IFB Innovationsstarter primarily targets startups that are less than two years old, with plans to exit investments within three to eight years. The organization not only provides financial support but also plays a role in fostering innovation within the Hamburg region.
BlackRock is a global investment management company based in New York City. It serves institutions, intermediaries, foundations, and individual investors, operating as a leading global asset manager that oversees and advises on a wide range of investment portfolios across multiple asset classes, strategies, sectors, and regions. The firm is noted for its emphasis on technology and financial solutions that support the broader financial industry, including risk management, advisory services, and integrated investment platforms. Through its diversified offerings, BlackRock aims to help clients pursue long-term goals across equities, fixed income, alternatives, and multi-asset strategies, while leveraging data and analytics to inform investment decisions and risk controls.
Goldman Sachs is a global financial services firm that provides investment banking, securities, and investment management services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals. It advises on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and other corporate actions; underwrites public offerings and debt; and helps clients raise capital through various markets. The firm engages in market making and client execution across fixed income, currencies, commodities, and equities, and offers securities services including financing and lending to institutional clients. Its asset management and wealth advisory businesses manage assets and provide investment solutions for a broad client base, including institutions and individuals. Headquartered in New York, the company serves clients worldwide and operates across multiple business lines to support capital formation, risk management, and investment activities.
The EIC Accelerator is a Horizon Europe funding program that provides assistance to start-ups and SMEs that have an innovative, game-changing product, service, or business model that has the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones, and have the ambition and commitment to scale up, are seeking substantial funding, but the risks involved are too high for private investors to invest alone
Next47 is an independent, global venture firm backed by Siemens AG that concentrates on enterprise-focused technology companies. It makes fast decisions and shares deep conviction with the teams it backs, aiming to unleash maximum potential. The firm leverages its own global footprint and the Siemens ecosystem spanning hundreds of countries and regions to provide resources and collaboration opportunities. It invests primarily in software, infrastructure, and other information technology sectors, including enterprise AI-enabled solutions.
FinLeap GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2014. The company specializes in investments in early-stage fintech startups, particularly those offering software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions and digital services within the financial services market. FinLeap typically invests between €0.5 million and €5 million in its portfolio companies. Over its operational years, the firm has built or invested in numerous ventures and developed several corporate joint ventures, collectively valued at over €3 billion at one point. In addition to its Berlin headquarters, FinLeap has established offices in San Francisco, Milan, Madrid, and Paris, reflecting its commitment to fostering innovation in the global fintech landscape.
EQT is a global private equity firm founded in 1994 that invests in mid-market companies through buyouts, expansion capital, growth equity, and infrastructure opportunities. It targets opportunities in Europe, North America, and Asia across sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, technology, industrials, consumer services, and real estate, seeking durable cash flows and meaningful intrinsic value. EQT pursues controlling or co-controlling stakes and collaborates with management to drive growth, improve operations, and expand internationally. The firm maintains a broad geographic footprint and an ownership orientation designed to build market-leading companies with sustainable competitive advantages. By combining sector expertise with disciplined capital allocation, EQT aims to create long-term value for its portfolio and stakeholders while adapting to evolving market dynamics.