APX.vc
APX is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Berlin, backed by Axel Springer and Porsche. They focus on partnering with and supporting ambitious pre-seed startups from Europe and beyond, often acting as the first investor. APX invests in exceptional earliest-stage founder teams building startups with digital business models, aiming to be a long-term partner. While the information available is limited on the website crawl, it can be seen that they likely provide resources and help for startups to grow with them. APX is positioned as one of Europe’s leading earliest-stage VCs. Their strategy is centered around identifying and investing in promising pre-seed startups with digital business models, providing them with the necessary support and resources to scale their businesses.
Auxxo
Auxxo is a venture capital firm that invests in female-led startups in Europe. They aim to address the gender funding gap in the startup ecosystem by providing capital and support to women entrepreneurs. They focus on companies with diverse teams and the potential for high growth. They invest across various sectors and stages, supporting startups from pre-seed to Series A. Auxxo's investment strategy is driven by the belief that female-led companies often outperform their male-led counterparts, leading to better returns. They provide portfolio companies with access to their network, mentorship, and operational support, aiming to accelerate their growth and success. Auxxo is committed to fostering a more inclusive and equitable startup ecosystem.
BMH Beteiligungs-Managementgesellschaft Hessen
Based on the available information, BMH Beteiligungs-Managementgesellschaft Hessen (BMH Hessen) appears to focus on providing equity financing to businesses in the Hessen region of Germany. Their investment strategy includes supporting tech startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and companies in various sectors including healthtech, AI, proptech, and deep tech. BMH seems to participate in multiple funding rounds, from pre-seed and seed to growth stages, and also supports succession solutions for established companies. They actively manage the HessenFonds, indicating a commitment to fostering regional economic growth and innovation within Hessen. They look for companies that address significant needs or offer innovative solutions in their respective markets. The firm also co-invests with other VCs like HTGF (High-Tech Gründerfonds). BMH is interested in supporting succession planning and supporting smaller SMEs.
Bayern Kapital GmbH
Bayern Kapital is a venture capital firm that invests in innovative Bavarian startups and scale-ups in the high-tech, deep tech, and life sciences sectors. They act as an anchor investor, providing long-term support across multiple rounds, from pre-seed to scale-up stages, with investments ranging from €250,000 to €50 million per company. The firm prioritizes sustainable innovation and partners with companies that contribute to the advancement of technology in Bavaria. With 30 years of experience, they are one of the most active, experienced, and financially strong VC investors in the region. Bayern Kapital actively seeks companies that have the potential to become market leaders in their respective fields. They provide not only financial support but also strategic guidance and access to their extensive network. They invest in areas like autonomous mobility, medical technology, industrial manufacturing, and digital services. The firm aims to facilitate the growth of its portfolio companies, helping them scale their operations and achieve their business goals. The investment strategy focuses on companies that address real-world problems with innovative solutions. By partnering with Bayern Kapital, startups and scale-ups gain access to capital, expertise, and a strong network, enabling them to accelerate their growth and expand their market presence. Bayern Kapital positions itself as a reliable and supportive partner, committed to the long-term success of its portfolio companies. They invest in teams and support the personal growth of its founders and its people.
HEARTFELT_/APX
APX is an earliest-stage venture capital firm based in Berlin, backed by Axel Springer and Porsche. The firm focuses on supporting and partnering with ambitious pre-seed startups from Europe and beyond, often acting as their first investor. APX invests in exceptional founder teams building startups with digital business models. They emphasize being a long-term partner to their portfolio companies, providing support beyond just capital. The firm aims to be one of Europe's leading earliest-stage VCs, cultivating a growing family of startups and founders. Their investment strategy focuses on identifying promising digital business models and providing the resources and network necessary to help these startups succeed from their earliest stages. They operate as a pre-seed investor, helping startups at the very beginning of their journey.
HTGF | High-Tech Gruenderfonds
HTGF invests in tech founders who have the courage to shape the future. They focus on pre-seed and seed stages, providing a strong network in business and science, experience in scaling startups, and in-depth tech know-how. Their mission extends beyond their track record, aiming to sustainably strengthen the technological backbone of Germany as a business location and create international market leaders. They invest across all major tech fields from software to hardware: From AI, deep tech to biotech. They have over 300 years of investment experience. They believe that long-term success is only possible if the impact of technologies and business models are considered from the start and managed responsibly, integrating ESG measures into their processes since 2019. HTGF contributes at the fund level, including active risk management, measuring and offsetting carbon footprint, vegetarian catering, and environmentally friendly travel policies. They also provide a healthy work environment for their employees, with flexible working hours, company bicycle leasing, subsidized sports memberships, and the maximum employer subsidy for the Deutschlandticket. They actively advocate for practical requirements for founding teams in relevant areas within their network, ensuring standardization and transparency in ESG reporting. They offer ESG Due Diligence before investing and provide ESG Support for Impact after the investment, supporting companies to set up sustainably from the very beginning. They help startups to collect relevant data for annual ESG reporting, helping them present themselves transparently and convincingly to customers and investors.
Heliad Equity Partners
Heliad Equity Partners focuses on providing generational founders with access to capital markets. They invest in early-stage companies through their fully owned early-stage investment vehicle, Collective Ventures, supporting founders from pre-seed to Series A. They also make growth-stage and beyond investments directly from their balance sheet, utilizing an evergreen structure that allows for long-term partnerships, even beyond an IPO. Heliad emphasizes its ability to support companies through various stages of their growth, without being constrained by typical fund life cycles. They aim to be more than just investors, acting as partners to help companies reach their full potential.
Positron Ventures
Positron Ventures focuses on helping and funding Europe-based scientist-entrepreneurs who are pursuing moonshots for planetary health. They invest in scientist-entrepreneurs working on breakthroughs across the natural sciences, backing teams from day one in their pursuit of solving major global challenges. The firm often acts as the first believer and investor, offering support across all aspects of building a company. They proactively conduct deep dives in scientific niches to thoroughly understand the state of science in a given field before investing. Their investment strategy appears to be focused on early-stage, pre-seed deeptech companies. Positron Ventures aims to turn breakthrough research into successful companies by investing at the frontier of science and building systems that help deeptech founders succeed. This includes support across operations, people, communications, and LP engagement. Positron Ventures invests in deeptech funds in Europe and the US, and is launching the Positron Foundation to support high-risk, pre-commercial research.
Project A Studio
Project A Studio is a proving ground for Europe's boldest entrepreneurial talent, partnering with founders at the ideation and validation stage. They provide hands-on support from their experienced team, helping to shape and test the founder's vision. When conviction is mutual, they lead the pre-seed round on founder-fair terms and bring in high-signal angels.
Realyze Ventures
Realyze Ventures invests in European startups leveraging technology and innovation to decarbonize the built environment, improve process efficiency, and enable superior returns. Focus areas include sustainability, energy efficiency, digitalization, and scalable solutions for real estate and construction challenges.
STARTHUB Ventures
STARTHUB Ventures focuses on providing financial support and a vast network to visionary entrepreneurs in the pre-seed and seed stages. They aim to boost leading young entrepreneurs and take their businesses to the next level, step by step, until they reach the sky. Their investment strategy revolves around identifying founders who combine vision with execution excellence, can build and lead outstanding teams, and have the courage and ability to change markets. They look at around 1,500 to 2,000 early-stage startups per year, primarily through recommendations from other investors, founders of portfolio companies, databases, media publications, accelerator graduates, and events. They emphasize the importance of early-stage capital and leverage their network, particularly in international logistics, to assist portfolio companies. The firm is open to various fields but primarily invests in digital companies within specific sectors. Their investment process includes sourcing, contact, deal screening, co-investor meetings, due diligence, contract negotiations, closing/signing, and payment. The duration can vary from 2 hours to 2-3 weeks depending on the startup's investment readiness. The firm looks for companies with founders who have experience and where contracts are finalized already. Alternatively, they also invest in companies coming out of accelerator programs and are ready to take the lead on first round investments. They aim to be the largest private investor in the first round. The firm wants a referral from an existing portfolio company or co-investor.
Spread Ventures
Spread Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on empowering sustainable fashion solutions. They aim to improve the future of fashion by investing in creative minds and turning seemingly impossible ideas into the new normal. Backed by Spread Group, a global provider of customized fashion and lifestyle products, Spread Ventures combines operational e-commerce and made-to-order production know-how with venture capital expertise. They leverage this combination to drive change in the fashion and creator industry. Spread Ventures invests in tech-driven early-stage companies, primarily in the pre-seed and seed stages. Their investment strategy centers around partnering with startups, founders, and visionary pioneers who possess the potential to redefine the fashion and creator industry. They seek companies aligned with a vision for a better and more sustainable future. The firm focuses on specific sub-sectors within the fashion tech and creator economy, including made-to-measure, mass customization, production-on-demand, digital creator services, content creation and monetization, virtual fitting, avatar & metaverse, phygital fashion, sustainable materials, supply chain & circularity solutions, and new textiles & circular fashion. This targeted approach allows them to leverage their operational background and market knowledge to support their portfolio companies effectively.
Square One
SquareOne is a venture capital firm that invests in B2B tech entrepreneurs at the pre-seed and seed stages. They focus on entrepreneurs who are deeply committed to solving complex problems in large, expanding markets. Their website highlights a focus on industry expertise, product advising, tech advising, mentorship, and customer connections to provide value beyond capital. The firm appears to take a hands-on approach, assisting portfolio companies with building, connecting, facilitating, and hustling. SquareOne's investment strategy seems centered around identifying and supporting companies developing innovative solutions, often involving deep tech or software, as evidenced by their portfolio. They aim to actively assist their portfolio companies in scaling and navigating the challenges of early-stage growth. The inclusion of veteran mentors and guaranteed connections indicates an emphasis on practical guidance and leveraging a strong network. Their approach to 'squaring ideas' likely encompasses a rigorous evaluation process coupled with active involvement in refining and executing the company's vision. Given the repeated reference to assistance with 'building, hustling, connecting, and facilitating,' SquareOne seems to position itself as an active, operationally-focused investor, rather than solely a provider of capital. The fund invests in startups across various sectors including AI, robotics, cybersecurity, ecommerce, and green technology. They appear to offer a strong network through their industry, product, and tech advisors to help with customer connections and problem-solving.
Styx Urban Investments
STYX Urban Investments is a venture capital firm focused on investing in entrepreneurs who are reimagining the urban environment. They aim to support startups that offer innovative solutions for greener cities and buildings. Their investment strategy revolves around providing not only capital but also access to their 'Urban Living Labs,' which allow startups to test and validate their products in real estate assets across key European markets. STYX targets pre-seed funding rounds, helping urban tech startups prepare for seed rounds. They consider themselves to be more than just an investor, viewing themselves as an enablement partner and an Urban Living Lab VC.
Sunfish Partners
Sunfish Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in deep tech startups originating from Eastern Europe (CEE). Their core mission revolves around bolstering Europe's autonomy through strategic investments in the space and defense sectors, alongside hardware and software startups. They provide pre-seed funding with ticket sizes between €150k to €300k. The firm's investment strategy targets companies that contribute to technological advancement and independence within Europe, particularly within the space and defense industries. They invest in both hardware and software, acknowledging the critical intersection of these domains in fostering impactful innovation. Geographically, they prioritize founders based in Eastern Europe (CEE). Sunfish Partners emphasizes providing early-stage capital and expertise to support the growth of promising startups. They actively engage with the space and defense tech ecosystem, participating in events and sharing insights through articles and videos. They are dedicated to fostering the next generation of deep tech companies in the region.
argo vantage GmbH
argo Vantage GmbH is a European venture capital firm focused on investing in innovative startups within technology, health, and sustainability. They prioritize making follow-on investments and actively engage with entrepreneurs, striving to advise and challenge them as board members. The firm emphasizes direct and transparent relationships built on trust, utilizing a "no bullshit" approach. They seek founders who share their values and are driven by a desire to build companies that contribute to a positive vision of the world. Their investment strategy focuses on identifying and supporting groundbreaking B2B solutions in Deep Tech, Business Process Automation, and Mass Consumer Disruption, seeking to disrupt massive consumer markets through digital technology.
B2Venture
B2Venture is a European venture capital firm that focuses on backing "the Unique, the Mavericks, the Outliers." They aim to leverage the power of generations to shape tomorrow by investing in the earliest stages of companies with the best ideas and brightest minds. The firm is supported by a community of angel investors spanning both tech and industry, who provide expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and hands-on support to portfolio companies. They invest primarily in the pre-seed and seed stage with the ability to invest in later stages through a Direct Investments track. B2Venture emphasizes its role as a long-term partner for entrepreneurs, providing deep experience, unwavering dedication, and unique expertise to support portfolio companies.
First Momentum Ventures
First Momentum Ventures is a pre-seed venture capital firm focused on investing in B2B startups in Europe that address hard problems with complex technology. They aim to be the companion for technology founders at hour zero, providing a strong foundation for sustainable growth. The firm's core belief is in backing highly ambitious teams with scientific or technological breakthroughs, helping them turn these innovations into impactful startups. They emphasize a hands-on, supportive approach, delivering "first momentum" to their portfolio companies. This includes providing resources, a relevant network, and the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of building a successful deep tech startup. Their Pre-Seed DNA means they have deep expertise in guiding companies from zero to one, leveraging their experience since 2015. Their team of engineers and scientists enables them to speak the language of technical founders and understand highly technical products, markets, and commercialization paths. They strive to offer tangible support through high-value connections to talent, customers, and future investors, emphasizing that IQ and EQ are equally important in their relationships with founders. Beyond capital, First Momentum builds ecosystems for technical founders by creating communities, knowledge resources and events tailored to this audience.
HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds
HTGF (High-Tech Gründerfonds) is a pre-seed and seed investor focused on tech startups. They aim to back tech founders who are building the future, particularly in Germany, from the very beginning. Their mission is to strengthen the technological backbone of the German economy and create international market leaders. They achieve this by providing capital, access to a strong network of industry and science experts, experience in scaling startups, and deep tech know-how. They invest in companies across a variety of high-tech sectors, including industrial, climate, deep tech, life sciences, chemistry, and digital tech. They focus on tech startups in Germany and seek to help them to become successful and leading international companies.
High-Tech Gründerfonds
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) invests in tech founders with the ambition to shape the future. They focus on early-stage investments (pre-seed and seed) and provide a strong network in business and science, along with experience in scaling startups and deep tech know-how. Their mission extends beyond track record, aiming to strengthen the technological backbone of Germany and create international market leaders. HTGF invests in all major tech sectors, from software to hardware, including AI, Deep Tech, and Biotech. They emphasize supporting companies developing innovative technologies across industrial, climate, deep tech, life sciences, chemistry, and digital tech sectors. HTGF aims to provide not only capital but also expertise and support to navigate the challenges of the early phases of startup development. HTGF focuses on backing tech founders and helping them build the future early on. They are deeply involved in helping companies scale, utilizing their extensive network and tech expertise. Their stated mission is to sustainably strengthen Germany's position as a leading tech hub and facilitate the creation of global market leaders. HTGF's team comprises founders, visionaries, and individuals with experience in business and science, boasting over 300 years of combined investment experience, understanding the dynamics and challenges of early-stage companies. HTGF participates actively in the German startup ecosystem through news, stories, and events. They offer online seminars (FoundersClasses) and podcasts such as 'ZukunftsReady' and 'Founders Faces' to share insights and knowledge with founders. HTGF supports startups not only financially, but also by providing support in communication through press releases and logo downloads. The firm emphasizes the importance of people, recognizing the value of diversity and passion in tech.
Merantix Capital
Merantix Capital focuses on building and investing in AI-native companies. Their approach includes a venture studio model, where they partner with pre-idea entrepreneurs to define new AI categories and build companies from scratch. Simultaneously, they operate a venture capital fund that invests in pre-seed and seed-stage AI-native companies. They aim to leverage Europe’s largest and most diverse AI community to provide support and resources to their portfolio companies. This multi-faceted approach allows them to identify, create, and nurture promising AI ventures from the earliest stages.
Project A Ventures
Project A Ventures is an early-stage VC firm focused on partnering with European entrepreneurs building the next generation of iconic companies. They invest in pre-seed and seed stages, providing initial investments ranging from €1m to €6m. The firm emphasizes a long-term, shoulder-to-shoulder approach, aiming to support founders through all cycles and build bold ideas into enduring businesses. Project A acts as early believers, offering support and expertise to overcome early-stage roadblocks. They are pan-European, investing from London to Berlin and beyond, and have a strong network that helps founders scale. Project A combines deep thematic expertise with a generalist platform, investing across sectors. The firm's investment themes include European Resilience, focusing on stronger national security, technological sovereignty, and democratic stability, as well as Fintech, towards democratic markets and efficient industries.
YZR Capital GmbH
YZR Capital focuses on investing in European HealthTech companies, from pre-seed to Series B, that are improving patient care, increasing provider efficiencies, and innovating value chains within healthcare. They aim to back ambitious entrepreneurs tackling complex challenges in global healthcare, combining deep expertise with fast execution to help build global champions with lasting impact. The firm emphasizes a hands-on, collaborative approach, leveraging their sector expertise to accelerate growth and support the founder's vision, building strong personal relationships with a shared ambition, and the freedom to innovate. They focus on quality over quantity, backing the right founders at the right time, and scaling them into market leaders across Europe. YZR Capital believes Europe offers an unmatched mix of world-class talent, deep tech expertise, and rising healthcare innovation potential. They aim to fill a critical knowledge gap and deploy capital when others paused, positioning themselves as a catalyst for this fast-growing ecosystem. They seek to partner with founders who are making healthcare more efficient, transparent, and accessible, building solutions that shape a healthier future. Their investment approach is centered around supporting founders who are building category-defining companies with scalable, tech-enabled solutions. They actively support their portfolio companies with functional and healthcare-specific know-how from day one. They aim to identify and scale companies that can address the growing challenges within healthcare such as a shortage of healthcare workers and the increasing number of people living with chronic diseases.
b.value AG
b.value AG is a venture capital firm focused on investing in DeepTech startups that combine exceptional founders and disruptive technologies to create solutions for a sustainable future. They aim to build a portfolio of fast-growing companies that define the future of production processes and markets, bridging the gap between R&D and global markets. Their strategy is based on identifying and supporting companies with talented founders, scalable business models, and disruptive, protected technologies. The firm specializes in companies operating in the European D-A-CH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), particularly those in the pre-seed and seed stages. b.value acquires minority stakes, co-investing with other investors to minimize risk and pool resources. This collaborative approach enables them to foster the success and growth of promising companies. b.value emphasizes its deep technology expertise and operational experience in building and managing biotech and high-tech companies. They aim to offer strategic and financial support, as well as access to a comprehensive network of industry experts, scientists, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders to assist in scaling their portfolio companies. The firm believes that sustainable processes and products are fundamental for the future. Their focus lies on biotechnology (including precision fermentation, sustainable chemicals, food/feed, life science methods) and advanced materials, sectors they view as having above-average growth and innovation potential.