European Investment Fund (EIF) is a public institution established in 1994 to improve access to finance for Europe's small and medium-sized businesses. It designs and develops venture capital and guarantee instruments to support SMEs and to catalyse private investment, aiming to build a robust European equity ecosystem. EIF engages in venture capital, growth capital, and guarantee operations, backing innovative entrepreneurs primarily in technology and life sciences, as well as across other sectors. Through cornerstone investments and fund participation, EIF seeks to crowd in private investors and stimulate venture activity across Europe. Its equity portfolio has grown substantially, with assets under management exceeding EUR 14 billion, reflecting its broad role in strengthening SME finance and supporting entrepreneurship and growth.

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.

IP Group is a London-based venture capital firm that focuses on commercialising intellectual property from research-intensive institutions. It creates value by identifying early-stage IP, developing it into commercially viable opportunities, and forming strategic partnerships to support portfolio companies. The firm provides capital, strategic guidance, and industry insight to science- and technology-based businesses, with emphasis on clean technology, life sciences, and deep tech. With more than twenty years of experience, IP Group supports the growth of science and technology companies from inception toward scale, helping translate research into market-ready products and accelerate their impact.

Octopus Ventures is a London-based venture capital firm that backs technology-enabled startups across Europe, with a bias toward the UK. It invests across stages, from idea/concept through seed, Series A/B to growth, typically taking lead rounds and board seats. The firm targets sectors including health, fintech, deep tech, consumer, and B2B software, as well as climate and digital health, and provides hands-on support to help portfolio companies scale, not only capital. Annual activity amounts to several hundred million pounds, with equity investments ranging from relatively small rounds to tens of millions. It seeks to partner with founders for multi-year growth, and has backed notable companies such as ManyPets, Cazoo, Depop, Elvie, and WaveOptics. Operations span London and New York, aided by a network of partners in the US and Asia.

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.

FJ Labs is a New York-based venture capital firm founded in 2015 by Fabrice Grinda. It is stage-agnostic and focuses on marketplaces and consumer-facing startups, making seed and Series A investments. Typical checks range from 50,000 to 5,000,000 dollars. The firm supports early-stage companies across sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, ad tech, mobile, and software-as-a-service, seeking opportunities with high growth potential in the United States and internationally. Its portfolio includes a mix of consumer brands and marketplace platforms, reflecting an emphasis on business models that connect buyers and sellers or enable direct consumer experiences. FJ Labs aims to back entrepreneurs building scalable, disruptively positioned products and services, often partnering with founders early in their development to help accelerate growth.

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.

Index Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 1996 and based in London with additional offices in San Francisco and Geneva, supporting entrepreneurs shaping technology-driven global businesses by investing across early and growth stages in software, TMT, and related sectors including artificial intelligence, data, fintech, healthcare, and mobility, and partnering with founders to scale companies globally.

Insight Partners is a global software investor that partners with growth-stage technology and software companies. Headquartered in New York City with offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Palo Alto, it concentrates on growth-stage software, internet, and data services, with notable focus areas including fintech, cybersecurity, AI/ML, DevOps, and healthcare. Founded in 1995, Insight Partners manages over $75 billion in regulatory assets under management and has invested in more than 750 companies worldwide, with over 55 portfolio companies achieving an IPO. The firm combines capital with hands-on, right-sized software expertise to support portfolio companies on their growth journey from first investment to IPO.

High-Tech Gründerfonds is a Germany-based seed and early-stage venture capital firm focused on technology companies in Germany. Based in Bonn with an additional office in Berlin, it operates as a public-private partnership that supports high-tech startups across information technology, software, hardware, life sciences, chemistry and related fields. HTGF provides initial funding and follow-on capital to eligible young companies, often taking minority stakes and participating as lead or co-investor, while offering hands-on guidance from experienced investment managers and startup experts. Since its founding in 2005, the firm has backed numerous startups and facilitated the growth of portfolio companies through multiple funds aimed at early stages. The model combines both public support, involving government and financial institutions, with private investor participation to nurture startups from concept to market.

Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983 by Arthur Patterson and Jim Swartz and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in San Francisco, London and Bangalore. It funds early- and growth-stage technology companies across software, cloud, SaaS, consumer, enterprise IT and related sectors, and it supports portfolio companies as they scale internationally. With a global network and more than three decades of experience, Accel seeks to help entrepreneurs build world-class, category-defining businesses. Notable investments include Atlassian, Facebook, Dropbox, Slack, Spotify, Etsy, Braintree, Cloudera and Qualtrics, among others. Accel operates multiple funds and programs to back companies at different stages, continuing a long track record of backing ambitious technology founders around the world.

Seedcamp is a European seed-stage venture capital firm based in London that identifies and invests early in founders tackling large global markets with technology. It supports a community of more than 400 startups, including publicly listed UiPath and Wise and unicorns such as Revolut, Hopin, Sorare, Pleo and wefox, as well as fast-growing companies like Grover, viz.ai and Ezra. The firm accelerates founders by providing smart capital, a lifelong community, and a global network built on more than a decade of backing exceptional talent.

Founded in 2008, Par Equity is a venture capital firm based in Edinburgh. It focuses on investing in early-stage, high-growth technology companies across Northern England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

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.

SOSV is a global venture capital firm that supports early-stage startups through active, founder-first development programs. Its flagship initiatives HAX and IndieBio provide facilities, engineering resources, services, and laboratory equipment to accelerate product development and prepare companies for subsequent funding rounds. SOSV focuses on deep technology across health, environmental, and cross-border software sectors, aiming to solve human and planetary health challenges. In addition to providing capital, the firm emphasizes intensive programmatic support to help portfolio companies move quickly from seed toward growth, including customer acquisition and scale. The firm operates globally with a bias toward startups targeting rapid international expansion, especially in Asia, and tends to back a small cohort of high-potential companies to accelerate their progress and attract leading investors.

Parkwalk Advisors is a London-based venture capital firm that focuses on investing in early-stage to growth-stage technology companies, with a particular emphasis on spin-outs derived from UK universities and research institutes. It targets UK-based, often unquoted companies across sectors such as artificial intelligence, big data, life sciences, materials, cleantech, future mobility, medical technology, quantum computing and related fields, and operates with a stage-agnostic approach from seed through later rounds. The firm leverages academic networks, technology transfer channels and venture networks to access deal flow and support portfolio companies. Founded in 2009, it has been aligned with IP Group as part of its corporate structure, reinforcing its focus on intellectual property-backed innovation. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

SFC Capital is a United Kingdom-based venture capital firm founded in 2012 that makes early-stage investments in UK startups, including pre-seed and seed rounds. It backs companies across sectors such as software, technology, e-commerce, consumer, enterprise, green tech, medical technology, and hospitality, providing capital plus strategic guidance to support growth and product development. The firm operates a model that combines an angel network with seed funds to back SEIS- and EIS-qualifying businesses, aiming to offer exposure to a diversified portfolio while delivering hands-on support to portfolio companies.

Balderton Capital is a London-based venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments in European technology companies, including information technology, fintech, consumer products, healthcare tech, and related sectors. It supports founders throughout the journey, offering strategic advice, introductions to professional service providers, and opportunities to participate in workshops and a founder community. Balderton primarily targets Series A opportunities and backs companies from seed through growth phases, aiming to help them scale in Europe with a strong network and hands-on support.

JamJar Investments is a London-based venture capital firm that backs European consumer-focused startups across seed to later stages. It invests across consumer services and products, technology and non-tech sectors, including food and drink, and focuses on high-growth consumer brands in both digital and non-tech areas. The firm typically makes initial investments in the range of £0.15 million to £1 million, with the option to follow on, and prefers teams of more than one founder, often taking a lead or co-investor role. Its approach draws on operational, commercial and brand experience developed through the founders’ work with innocent, including scaling it into a major brand and sale to Coca-Cola, which informs its support for entrepreneurs navigating growth challenges. JamJar seeks to back European businesses with potential to scale, offering practical guidance alongside capital.

Partech is a global technology investment firm headquartered in Paris with offices in Berlin, Dakar, Dubai, Nairobi and San Francisco. It provides capital, operational experience and strategic support to technology companies from seed to growth stages. Founded in San Francisco about 40 years ago, Partech manages approximately €2.5 billion in assets under management and backs a portfolio of about 220 companies across 40 countries and four continents. The firm pursues investments across software, information technology services, cybersecurity, fintech, health tech, artificial intelligence and other tech-enabled sectors.

Future Planet Capital is a London-based global impact-led venture capital firm that backs growth companies arising from leading universities and research ecosystems. It focuses on climate, health, education and sustainable growth technologies and seeks to commercialize university research. The firm manages about $380 million for institutional investors and has invested in more than 300 companies, with around 60 exits, reflecting its track record across early to growth-stage opportunities.

Mercia Asset Management is a specialist asset manager based in the United Kingdom, focused on equity and debt investments to support the growth aspirations of regional businesses. The firm manages multiple funds, including venture capital funds dedicated to early-stage technology companies, particularly in the West Midlands. Mercia aims to provide a complete capital solution by investing across various asset classes, including venture and private equity. It emphasizes backing companies with strong growth potential and proprietary technology. The firm offers initial investments typically ranging from £50,000 to £250,000, with the capacity for follow-on investments up to £1 million per company. Mercia Asset Management also allows private investors to participate in high-growth technology companies through its Growth EIS Fund, benefiting from tax reliefs. Established in 1982, Mercia has established a reputation as a proactive partner for business owners, shareholders, and fund investors, aspiring to deliver superior returns.

Entrepreneur First is a London-headquartered platform and early-stage technology investor that helps ambitious individuals form technology startups by connecting them with potential co-founders, helping develop ideas, and accelerating funding from leading investors. The organization operates across six cities on three continents, supporting high-potential founders to build globally important tech companies. Since inception it has supported hundreds of ventures and built a network of thousands of alumni, with a portfolio valued in the billions. It is backed by prominent tech founders and investors who provide mentorship and capital to accelerate growth.

Founded in 2003, Creandum is a Stockholm-based early-stage venture capital firm focusing on innovative technology companies across Western Europe and North America. The firm supports founders by providing not only capital but also operational expertise and a robust network built over years in the industry.

Molten Ventures is a venture capital firm based in London, United Kingdom; it invests in deeptech, consumer tech, healthtech, SaaS and enterprise software, and other technology sectors including software, telecoms, electronics, the internet, MedTech and cleantech, and it supports visionary entrepreneurs to develop and scale technologies that could shape the future.

YFM Equity Partners is an independent private equity and venture capital firm that provides growth capital, recapitalizations, development funding, and management buyouts for small and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom and the United States. The firm targets growth-oriented companies across sectors such as energy, materials, manufacturing, consumer brands, healthcare, technology, information technology, software and services, financials, business services, retail, and telecommunications, with a preference for firms with proprietary technology or data capabilities. It typically invests in growth capital and management buyouts, deploying multi-million pound equity (examples include roughly £2–£6 million for growth deals and £3–£10 million for buyouts), often takes a board seat, and aims to hold a majority stake. YFM seeks to exit holdings within about five years through sale or listing. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Leeds, the firm maintains offices in London, Manchester, Sheffield, and other UK cities to access regional opportunities and oversee cross-border investments.

Antler is a global venture capital firm based in Singapore that backs early-stage technology companies. It runs incubation programs and provides a global community of co-founders, access to talent, expert advisors, expansion support, and capital to help startups grow. The firm targets a broad range of sectors, including healthcare, finance, software, energy, consumer and B2B technologies, and operates through regional programs across Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, Southeast Asia, India, Africa, and beyond.

Citi Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Citigroup that leverages the bank’s resources to identify, incubate, and invest in innovative ideas at the intersection of finance and technology. Headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York, London, Palo Alto, Tel Aviv, and Singapore, Citi Ventures collaborates with Citi colleagues, clients, and the broader innovation community to discover new value and accelerate the development of transformative technologies. The firm focuses on fintech, data analytics and machine learning, the future of commerce, security and enterprise IT, marketing, property technology, distributed ledger technology, and digital assets, pursuing strategic investments that complement Citi’s business lines and risk management capabilities. Since its founding, Citi Ventures has sought to build partnerships and portfolios that support entrepreneurship and technological progress, helping individuals, businesses, and communities adapt to rapid digital change while expanding Citi’s ecosystem and capabilities.

DN Capital is a London-based venture capital firm founded in 2000 that backs seed to early-stage software, fintech, and consumer internet companies in Europe and North America. It focuses on firms that plan to operate on both sides of the Atlantic and helps them build international businesses, reflecting a cross-border investment approach with activity across the UK, Northern Europe, and North America.

Notion Capital is a London-based venture capital firm that funds early-stage technology companies, with a focus on B2B software as a service, cloud computing and enterprise technologies. Founded in 2009, it operates across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, offering entrepreneur-led support to help high-potential startups scale. The firm backs companies in a broad range of sectors including cloud, SaaS, cybersecurity, fintech, data, ad tech, logistics, mobility, IT services, insurtech and health tech, typically at Series A and beyond, with an emphasis on software-driven and cloud-based business models.

Earlybird Venture Capital is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 1997 that backs technology companies across Europe from early stages to growth. It focuses on consumer and enterprise technology, mobility and logistics, the internet of things, marketplaces, artificial intelligence, fintech, health tech, and related software-enabled services, often investing as lead or minority investor and taking board seats where appropriate. The firm provides strategic support and access to international networks and capital markets to help portfolio companies scale. It operates from Berlin with additional offices in Munich, Istanbul, and the United States, and is regarded as one of Europe’s most established and active VC firms.

Kima Ventures is a venture capital firm headquartered in Paris with an office in London, founded in 2010 by Xavier Niel. It invests in seed and early-stage startups worldwide, often as lead investor, and supports founders with funding, an extensive network, and guidance to accelerate product development and growth. The firm emphasizes rapid decision-making and aims to smooth fundraising so founders can focus on building their business. Described as a network of founders and experts with a pay it forward mindset, Kima has invested in hundreds of startups across multiple countries, reflecting its global reach and active early-stage engagement.

83North is a London-based venture capital firm with an additional office in Herzliya that manages over $1.8 billion in assets. It invests across Europe, the United States, and Israel, spanning seed to growth stages in consumer and enterprise technology. The focus areas include software, fintech, health tech, cybersecurity, SaaS, data infrastructure, and other technology-enabled sectors. With a global investment approach, 83North backs category-leading startups and supports portfolio companies through multiple funding rounds, emphasizing building scalable businesses across Europe, the United States, and Israel.

Founded in 2000, General Catalyst is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage and growth equity investments. It focuses on accelerating ideas, careers, and companies towards success by providing ongoing momentum and mentorship based on deep experience.

Amadeus Capital Partners is a London-based global technology investor and venture capital firm founded in 1997. It backs technology companies across stages, from seed to growth, across sectors including software, cybersecurity, healthcare IT, fintech, hardware and semiconductors, communications and networking, and clean energy. The firm also participates in secondary investments to provide founders with additional runway and partners with entrepreneurs to scale. To date it has backed over 130 companies and raised more than a billion dollars for investment, with a focus on Europe and selective opportunities in Israel.

Atomico is an international venture capital firm headquartered in London that backs disruptive technology companies and helps them scale globally. It partners with technology founders from seed to growth stages, leveraging hands-on operational experience to accelerate expansion, hiring, and marketing. With offices in major European cities, the firm supports companies across Europe, North America, and beyond, investing in information technology, software, and other technology-enabled industries and focusing on long-term partnerships and practical operational guidance to navigate global markets.

Lakestar is a Zurich-headquartered venture capital firm that backs technology-enabled businesses across Europe and the United States. It focuses on deep tech, digitalization, artificial intelligence, financial technology and healthcare, seeking to identify, fund, and grow disruptive ventures founded by exceptional entrepreneurs. The firm provides active support to portfolio companies in areas such as business development, recruitment, technology, product development and regulatory insight, guiding founders from seed to growth stages. Lakestar has backed well-known early investments in Skype, Spotify, Facebook and Airbnb, and manages more than €2 billion across multiple early-stage and growth funds, maintaining a presence in Berlin, Zurich and London.

Salica is an investment firm and venture capital investor headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Founded in 2014, it focuses on equity and debt investments across complementary sectors and stages, with a global reach. The firm aims to combine traditional values with a contemporary approach, balancing disciplined processes with agility to pursue commercial opportunities and attractive returns. Salica seeks to build a broad network of complementary opportunities and relationships across the private markets.

Northstar Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, focusing on direct and fund of funds investments in technology‑driven startups and growth companies. It targets sectors including climate technology, healthy aging, digital media, data, entertainment services, telecommunications, healthcare, biotechnology, energy and related technologies, investing primarily in the United Kingdom with emphasis on the North East region (County Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear). Typical direct investments range from £0.02 million to £0.75 million, with total commitments up to about £2 million, complemented by involvement in private equity funds, accelerators and incubators through fund of funds. The firm supports portfolio companies with resources such as a network of university partners, funders, non‑executive directors and talent to help generate talent, jobs and growth in the region. Founded in 2004, it operates from its Newcastle base.

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.

GP Bullhound is a London- and globally oriented technology advisory and investment firm founded in 1999. It provides independent strategic and financial advice to technology companies, including mergers and acquisitions, private placements, IPOs, and capital-raising activities. The firm combines technology insight with access to a global network of buyers and capital across Europe, the United States, and Asia, helping entrepreneurs and growth companies navigate complex transactions. In addition to advisory work, GP Bullhound maintains an investment arm that backs technology-focused opportunities across seed to late-stage rounds, with a track record of working with category-leading clients. With offices across Europe, the United States, and Asia, the firm serves sectors including software, fintech, media, and other technology-enabled services, aiming to help teams build scalable, billion-dollar businesses.

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.

A Plus Finance, established in 1998 and headquartered in Paris, France, is an independent trust company that specializes in managing Common Investment Funds for Innovation and Proximity Investment Funds. The firm focuses on various innovative sectors, notably information technology, media, security, and the environment. With a team composed of financiers and entrepreneurs, A Plus Finance offers a unique blend of practical management insights and long-term strategic guidance to businesses. The firm manages funds totaling approximately €220 million and typically invests between €1 million and €4 million in individual projects. Additionally, A Plus Finance engages in real estate and private equity investments, further diversifying its portfolio.

New Enterprise Associates is a U.S.-based venture capital firm founded in 1977 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California. It invests in technology and healthcare companies across stages and geographies, supporting startups from seed to growth. The firm operates globally with investments in the United States, Asia, and Brazil among others, and has a long track record of portfolio IPOs and acquisitions. It has over $19 billion in cumulative committed capital.

Northzone is a London-headquartered venture capital firm with offices in New York, Oslo, Stockholm, and across the Nordics. Established in 1996, it pursues early- and multi-stage technology investments in healthcare, semiconductors, software, hardware, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and gaming. The firm leverages a global network to help portfolio companies scale, connecting them with customers, partners, and key talent. Northzone has backed influential founders and built relationships with category-defining businesses, having partnered with the founders of Spotify, Klarna, iZettle, Hopin, and others. The organization has raised over €1.5 billion in funds to support its investments.

360 Capital Partners is a Paris-based venture capital firm that backs early-stage startups across Europe, focusing on deep tech, climate technology, digital sectors, consumer goods and business services. With roughly two decades of activity, it operates across Europe with a diversified team and has an active portfolio of over 50 companies. The firm has about €400 million of assets under management. Notable portfolio companies include Alsid, Earthcube, Exotec, Arbe Robotics, Sophia Genetics, Le Slip Français and Tediber. The team is described as diverse and experienced, with offices in Paris and Milan, and it seeks to partner with talented entrepreneurs to develop disruptive companies in Europe.

Battery Ventures is a technology-focused venture capital firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1983. It invests in category-defining technology companies across sectors such as application software, infrastructure software, consumer internet and mobile services, industrial technologies, and life science tools. The firm supports growth across various stages and geographies, including the United States, Europe, and Israel, with emphasis on software, TMT, and related tech-enabled opportunities. As a registered investment adviser, Battery Ventures backs companies that build scalable platforms and transformative products, helping them compete in rapidly evolving markets.

Samsung Electronics is a global technology company based in South Korea that designs, manufactures, and sells a wide range of electronics and device solutions. Its portfolio spans consumer electronics (mobile devices, televisions, home appliances, cameras), information technology products (PCs, peripherals, printers), semiconductors, memory and storage, and display technologies. The company also provides telecommunications infrastructure and related services, and conducts extensive research and development to advance core technologies. With a global footprint across Korea, China, the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific, Samsung Electronics is a leading supplier of smartphones, memory chips, and displays, and it coordinates significant manufacturing and supply chain activities to support its varied product lines.

Ascension is a venture capital investment firm based in London, United Kingdom. Founded in 2010, the firm focuses on investing in deep tech, fintech, e-commerce, sustainability, new work, next-generation media, and health sectors.

Highland Capital Partners is a Massachusetts-headquartered global venture capital firm that invests in seed, early and growth-stage consumer and enterprise technology companies. It maintains offices in Boston, Silicon Valley and Shanghai and has raised substantial capital and backed more than 225 companies across consumer and enterprise technology, supporting entrepreneurs with a focus on building lasting businesses. The firm also runs mentorship initiatives such as Summer@Highland. Its European presence, Highland Europe, founded in 2012, targets rapidly growing internet, mobile and software companies in Europe and works closely with the firm to pursue primary investments as well as acquisition finance or lead secondary transactions.