30+ handpicked ClimateTech VCs that actively invest in 2025

We’ve compiled a list of 30+ handpicked venture capital firms actively investing in European ClimateTech and sustainability startups in 2025.

Capvisory Insights

ClimateTech Startups

30+ handpicked ClimateTech VCs that actively invest in 2025

Capvisory, a specialized Berlin-based M&A boutique, advises tech companies on Seed, Series A, and Series B financing rounds, as well as guiding them through exit processes.

Gründer und Partner

Gründer und Partner

The ClimateTech and GreenTech ecosystem has experienced a remarkable rollercoaster ride in recent years – from the investment boom of 2021 and 2022 to the downturn in 2023.

In 2024, the global number of ClimateTech deals dropped again by 23%. At the same time, total funding volume (including non-dilutive capital such as venture debt) increased compared to 2023. The data suggests that while fewer companies are securing funding, those that do are raising significantly larger rounds.


In this article, we provide a concise overview of the current state of ClimateTech startup funding and present a curated list of over 30 active venture capital firms expected to invest in the space in 2025.

The data presented is based on the State of Climate Tech Report 2024 by Net Zero Insights, a ClimateTech market intelligence provider. The full report is available here: The State of Climate Tech 2024.

It is important to note that the report only includes publicly disclosed funding rounds. Some regions tend to be less transparent in reporting investment activity and deal volumes. As a result, China’s actual share of ClimateTech investment is likely higher than reported.

In addition to relying on leading market studies, Capvisory also collects its own proprietary data through the Capvisory Venture Capital Fund Tracker, which is updated monthly. A detailed analysis based on this data can be found further below.

2024: Europe surpasses the U.S. in ClimateTech funding for the first time

With a total funding volume of $38.88 billion (dilutive and non-dilutive), Europe saw a 45.1% year-over-year increase—significantly outpacing the U.S., which recorded $33.5 billion (+3.1% YoY). This lead is largely driven by substantial debt rounds, including $5 billion for Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt, $4.75 billion for French battery maker ACC, and €1.1 billion for German heat pump and solar provider Enpal.

Despite the strong growth in total funding volume, the number of deals dropped sharply in both regions: down 24.1% in Europe and 20.8% in the U.S., pointing to a broader decline in deal activity. The number of active investors also fell—by 12.5% in Europe and 14.7% in the U.S.—indicating an increasingly selective and cautious investment environment.


Since 2020, the share of energy-related investments within the broader ClimateTech category has been steadily increasing. In 2024, the majority of capital flowed into battery technologies, solar energy, and hydrogen—clearly the current favorites among investors.

Close behind is green mobility, particularly investments in electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure. In Europe, for example, Bolt secured a €220 million debt financing round.

29 new ClimateTech funds launched in the past six months

On the equity side, our Capvisory Fund Tracker identified 29 newly launched ClimateTech funds (Venture Capital and Private Equity) over the past six months, raising a total of $37.08 billion. This signals continued optimism from Limited Partners (LPs) and a strong willingness to allocate capital to the ClimateTech space. Most of this capital is expected to be deployed into private companies over the next 12 to 36 months.

Of these 29 funds:

    • 22 were venture capital funds, raising a combined $3.64 billion
    • 7 were private equity funds, raising $33.43 billion

In total, the Capvisory Fund Tracker recorded 245 new funds during this period, meaning 11.84% of all newly closed funds had a dedicated ClimateTech focus — or roughly one in ten.

Important note: Our tracker focuses on funds that have officially closed capital (not just announced) and covers the USA, Canada, Japan, and the MENA region.

Venture capital investors actively backing ClimateTech startups in 2025

For European startups, ClimateTech was one of the fastest-growing sectors in 2024 — and the outlook for 2025 remains highly promising. That’s exactly where our list of 30+ active and carefully vetted ClimateTech investors comes in.

The list includes only venture capital firms with a clear focus on climate and sustainable energy technologies. Each firm has either made at least one relevant investment or launched a new climate-focused fund within the past 12 months (as of March 2025).

🇩🇪

Seed and Series A stage VC, backing European software and hardware pioneers in climate tech.

🇺🇸

VC and early growth equity firm focused on AI-powered solutions for the world’s energy and climate challenges.

🇺🇸

Previously known as Climate Capital Bio, Juniper invests in frontier science tackling humanity’s sustainability challenges.

🇮🇹

Asset manager Algebris has launched Algebris ClimaTech, a VC fund focused on climate and deep tech startups.

🇯🇵

Japanese VC fund focusing on climate tech and decarbonization, investing in startups from around the world.

🇧🇪

VC fund investing in European SMEs and scale-ups focused on clean energy and sustainable buildings.

🇸🇪

Early-stage VC fund backing climate tech startups with potential to become the leading businesses of tomorrow.

🇺🇸

VC fund that invests in climate tech companies from seed to Series A.

🇺🇸

Aligned invests in Seed to Series B companies that are deploying and scaling proven clean energy and climate solutions.

🇺🇸

The VC division of National Grid plc focuses on AI startups that work on solutions for the energy sector.

🇩🇪

VC focused on energy transition & climate tech. They partner with early- and growth-stage start-ups in EU and NA.

🇦🇹

Family Office that backs impact-driven founders tackling the climate, biodiversity & pollution crises at the early-stages.

🇩🇪

VC fund supporting European climate tech startups that have a significant positive impact on our planet.

🇬🇧

Impact investor focusing on growth-stage companies around three key impact themes: People, Planet, and Productivity.

🇩🇪

Invest in early-stage startups that create a positive environmental or social impact. From seed through to Series B.

🇺🇸

VC that invests in early-stage climate technology creating the foundation of a decarbonized global economy.

🇩🇪

Early-stage climate impact VC fund focused on startups from Europe with initial investments between €1M and €4M.

🇩🇪

Climate tech VC that invests in startups with significant emissions savings potential.

🇩🇪

Impact VC fund with a pan-European investment remit and focus on pre-seed to series a stage

🇩🇪

Invests in early-stage Green Tech and Food Tech startups to help build a resilient society within planetary boundaries.

🇺🇸

VC focused on investing in emerging technologies that drive sustainable transformation across traditional industries.

🇫🇷

European VC investing in pre-seed and seed GreenTech and B2B startups, with initial tickets from €100K to €1.5M.

🇫🇷

Growth-stage VC focusing on European tech scale-ups with strong sustainability or ESG commitments, typically investing from Series B onward.

🇺🇸

Climate-focused investor pursuing multiple strategies, backing early- to growth-stage ventures.

🇺🇸

An investment firm that invests in sustainable solutions that power the energy transition.

🇫🇷

European investor specializing in energy and ecological transitions, investing from €1M to €30M to back companies at every stage.

🇩🇰

Nordic Alpha Partners is a Danish growth fund that invests in sustainable hard-tech companies.

🇳🇱

Impact VC fund investing in early-stage ventures driving positive outcomes for climate and nature.

🇬🇧

Climate tech fund investing in transformative solutions for the built environment, typically from Seed to Series A in Europe.

🇸🇪

Early-stage impact investor from the Nordics supporting mission-driven startups tackling global challenges (climate, health, education) across Europe.

🇩🇰

Early-stage climate-tech fund in Europe backing ventures with measurable CO₂ reductions across sectors like energy, agriculture, and industry.

🇩🇪

Impact VC dedicated to investing in CleanTech solutions across energy, mobility, ag & food, and industrial sectors.

🇱🇹

Early-stage fund focused on accelerating Europe’s energy transition, investing in next-generation climate, mobility, and energy solutions.

Conclusion

Raising capital for ClimateTech startups remains challenging — but the odds of finding the right investors in 2025 are better than ever. As the extensive list above shows, VC interest in climate-focused innovation is very much alive. For larger rounds, founders should also consider alternative financing options, such as venture debt, as part of a well-rounded funding strategy.

If you’re currently fundraising and looking for the right investor fit, feel free to reach out. At Capvisory, we not only support ClimateTech startups during fundraising and exit processes — we also provide fast, honest feedback on whether a VC round makes sense in your case, or whether another financing route might be more promising.

P.S. At Capvisory, we continuously track new funds to keep our internal database of 20,000+ global investors up to date — a key asset we use to secure the best possible outcomes for our fundraising clients.

If you’re interested in funds with fresh dry powder, take a look at our monthly Fund Tracker.

Capvisory, a specialized Berlin-based M&A boutique, advises tech companies on Seed, Series A, and Series B financing rounds, as well as guiding them through exit processes.

Federal funding programs for tech startups in Germany

Overview of the federal funding instruments provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) for tech startups.

Capvisory Insights

Funding programs for startups

Funding for tech startups: An overview of programs by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action in Germany

Capvisory is an independent advisory boutique specializing in fundraising, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

Gründer und Partner

Gründer und Partner

In the following, we provide an overview of the most relevant nationwide funding instruments of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) for startup creation, succession, and growth financing, including the various modules of the Zukunftsfonds (“Participation Fund for Technologies of the Future”). Our focus is explicitly on tech startups and venture capital investors, rather than the broader spectrum of traditional business support, such as the Micro-Mezzanine Fund for small business owners or the ERP Gründerkredit (ERP Startup Loan).

You can find an overview of state-backed regional venture capital initiatives, particularly those initiated by regional development banks and SME investment companies, here: List of 40+ state-funded venture capital investors in Germany.

We have categorized the BMWK instruments according to the target groups of the programs:

    • For Founders: Funding programs for the first steps and company formation
    • For Startups: Capital for young companies looking to scale
    • For Business Angels: Incentives for private investors to fund startups
    • For Venture Capital Funds: Opportunities for VC fund financing
Startup Support by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs
A comprehensive overview of all available funding opportunities from public institutions can be found in the Funding Database of the federal and state governments: https://www.foerderdatenbank.de.


There are three types of programs: 1) grant and advisory programs, 2) equity financing programs, and 3) debt financing programs. A comprehensive overview of all available funding opportunities from public institutions in Germany can be found in the Funding Database of the federal and state governments at www.foerderdatenbank.de.


Finding the funding landscape confusing?

Germany offers a wide range of funding opportunities, but navigating them can be overwhelming. Feel free to reach out! As M&A and fundraising advisors for tech startups from the Seed stage onward, we help you identify the right financing options for your specific case, and assess whether government funding programs could be a valuable addition.

1. Funding Programs for Founders

 

Tech founders who are still at the very beginning of their entrepreneurial journey—such as those who have just developed an idea and are now considering starting a business—can access the following funding programs initiated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK):

a) EXIST Startup Grant

The EXIST Startup Grant supports academic founders in the (pre-)startup phase with financial assistance for up to 12 months. The goal is to transfer innovative university and research projects into market-ready startups.

    • Target group: Academic founders
    • Amount: Up to €3,000 per month + material costs up to €30,000
    • Type: Grant (no repayment, no interest)
    • Key feature: Focus on science-based startups, the university provides a mentor, and the startup must not yet be founded
    • Example: A PhD student develops an eco-friendly water purification technology.

b) EXIST-Women

The EXIST-Women program supports aspiring female founders in developing their entrepreneurial skills and refining their business ideas. The goal is to encourage more women to enter the startup ecosystem and facilitate their path to self-employment through targeted qualification.

    • Target group: Women interested in entrepreneurship, with or without a concrete business idea
    • Amount: Material costs up to €2,000; optionally, a 3-month stipend for the founders
    • Type: Grant & advisory support (no repayment, no interest)
    • Key feature: No university degree required, support from universities and research institutions, access to networks, coaching, and qualification programs, funding lasts one year
    • Example: A vocational school-trained IT specialist develops a cybersecurity platform and receives coaching on business model development.


2. Funding Programs for Startups

 

Young companies with technologically sophisticated products and high growth ambitions have access to several BMWK initiatives. Here’s an overview:

a) High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF)

The High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is one of Germany’s leading early-stage investors, providing technology-driven startups with venture capital and access to networks.

    • Target group: Highly innovative, technology-oriented startups
    • Amount: Up to €1 million (in the first round), max. €4 million per company
    • Type: Equity financing (venture capital)
    • Key feature: Focus on technological innovations with scalable business models
    • Example: A MedTech startup develops an AI-powered diagnostics solution and receives €1 million for product development.

b) High-Tech Gründerfonds Opportunity

The HTGF Opportunity Fund provides additional capital for later financing rounds for startups that have already received initial funding from the HTGF.

    • Target group: Startups that have already received HTGF funding
    • Amount: Up to €30 million
    • Type: Equity financing (venture capital)
    • Key feature: Enables follow-up financing without seeking new VC investors
    • Example: A biotech startup that previously received HTGF funding secures an additional €9 million for clinical trials.

c) DeepTech & Climate Fund (DTCF)

The DeepTech & Climate Fund (DTCF) invests in startups with a technology or climate protection focus that require significant capital.

    • Target group: Startups building in DeepTech or ClimateTech
    • Amount: Up to €30 million
    • Type: Equity financing (venture capital)
    • Example: A startup developing eco-friendly battery technology receives €15 million to scale production.

d) RegioInnoGrowth

RegioInnoGrowth is a joint program with Germany’s federal states that supports innovative startups regionally.

    • Target group: Innovative startups with digital, ecological, or social business models
    • Amount: Up to €5 million
    • Type: Mezzanine capital or subordinated loan
    • Example: An AgriTech startup in Baden-Wuerttemberg develops an AI-powered sustainable farming platform receives €3 million in funding, after speaking to the regional Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft.

e) German Accelerator

The German Accelerator helps German startups expand internationally by providing mentoring, networks, and market entry strategies.

    • Target group: Startups aiming for international expansion
    • Support: Individual mentoring, workshops, and access to global networks
    • Markets: USA, Asia, South America
    • Example: A German SaaS startup in business automation gains entry to the US market via the German Accelerator.

f) Venture Tech Growth Financing (VTGF)

The Venture Tech Growth Financing (VTGF) program provides technology-driven growth companies with VC-backed access to debt financing.

    • Target group: Fast-growing, technology-driven companies
    • Amount: Flexible growth financing, often combined with private lenders
    • Type: Venture debt (loan) for expansion financing
    • Example: A FinTech startup secures €10 million for customer acquisition and international expansion.


3. Funding Programs for Business Angels

INVEST – Grant for Venture Capital

The INVEST program supports private investors, particularly business angels, in financing innovative startups to channel more private capital into technology-oriented companies.

    • Target group: Private investors, particularly business angels
    • Amount: 15% grant on investments, 25% exit grant on sales of shares and max. €100,000 per investor and €3 million per company
    • Type: Grant (no repayment, tax-free for investors)
    • Example: A business angel invests €200,000 in an AI startup, receives a €30,000 investment grant, and, after five years, can claim a 25% tax-free exit grant on the capital gain.


4. Funding Programs for Venture Capital Investors

a) ERP/EIF Fund of Funds

The ERP/EIF Fund of Funds invests in European venture capital funds that support startups and growth-stage companies. The initiative aims to foster innovation and improve access to venture capital for young businesses.

    • Target group: Venture capital funds
    • Funding amount: Dependent on fund volume and co-investors
    • Type: Fund of funds investment (co-investment with private investors)
    • Key feature: Joint financing with private investors to strengthen European VC structures
    • Example: A European VC fund specializing in AI and automation receives capital from the ERP/EIF Fund of Funds to invest in German startups.

b) European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI)

The European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI) is a pan-European growth fund designed to support venture capital funds with large-scale financing. Its goal is to help European scale-ups compete globally and match the investment levels of U.S. and Chinese investors.

    • Target group: Venture capital funds focused on large-scale financing
    • Funding amount: Up to €1 billion
    • Type: Fund of funds investment
    • Key feature: Focus on scale-ups, with pan-European participation to strengthen the VC ecosystem
    • Example: A European growth fund secures ETCI capital to fund a German DeepTech startup’s financing round.

c) GFF EIF Growth Facility

The GFF EIF Growth Facility provides capital for venture capital funds investing in high-growth technology companies. The program is designed to support the long-term scaling of innovative businesses.

    • Target group: Venture capital funds
    • Funding amount: Variable, depending on fund size and investment strategy
    • Type: Fund of funds investment
    • Key feature: Expands capital access for scale-ups with high funding needs
    • Example: A European fund focusing on sustainable technologies secures funding from the GFF EIF Growth Facility to invest in CleanTech startups.

d) ERP/Future Fund Growth Facility

The ERP/Future Fund Growth Facility supports venture capital funds that specialize in scaling and internationalizing innovative technology companies.

    • Target group: Venture capital funds for large-scale financing
    • Funding amount: Up to €1 billion
    • Type: Fund of funds investment
    • Key feature: Facilitates funding rounds for European scale-ups with significant capital needs
    • Example: A VC fund investing in biotech startups in the growth phase secures capital from the Future Fund Growth Facility.

e) Growth Fund Germany

The Growth Fund Germany provides financing for venture capital funds that invest in late-stage European tech companies. The initiative aims to strengthen Germany’s startup ecosystem on a global scale.

    • Target group: Venture capital funds for large-scale financing
    • Funding amount: Up to €1 billion
    • Type: Co-investment with institutional investors
    • Key feature: Enables funding rounds for scale-ups that already have an established business model
    • Example: A leading German VC fund leverages the Growth Fund Germany to close a €50 million financing round for an AI startup.

f) ERP VC Fund Investment

The ERP VC Fund Investment provides capital for venture capital funds that invest in European startups and scale-ups. The objective is to enhance innovation and competitiveness in the German economy.

    • Target group: Venture capital funds for large-scale financing
    • Funding amount: Up to €1 billion
    • Type: Co-investment with private investors
    • Key feature: Focus on long-term capital availability for European tech companies
    • Example: A cloud computing-focused VC fund secures capital from the ERP VC Fund Investment to finance startups with scalable SaaS models.

Summary

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) offers a wide range of funding opportunities for startups—from grants and loans to equity financing. Whether it’s founding, growth, or scaling, there are suitable programs for every stage.

If the variety of options seems overwhelming, we at Capvisory are happy to help you find the right financing for your startup. Feel free to reach out!

💡 Tip: A complete overview of all funding opportunities can be found in the BMWK Funding Database: www.foerderdatenbank.de.

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in fundraising, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

Overview of all newly launched venture capital funds in 2025

The Capvisory Fund Tracker scans dozens of sources each month, capturing newly announced funds that have successfully raised capital at least through their first closing. Here is the continuously updated overview for 2025.

Capvisory Insights

Fund Tracker

Overview of all newly launched venture capital funds in 2025

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in fundraising, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

Gründer und Partner

Gründer und Partner

The Capvisory Fund Tracker scans dozens of sources each month, identifying newly announced funds that have successfully raised capital at least through their first closing. The goal is to provide founders with an up-to-date overview of funds that have recently secured fresh capital and are therefore actively deploying investments.

Tip for founders: If you’re currently seeking venture capital, prioritize VCs that have closed a fund in the last 1–2 years. These investors typically still have substantial “dry powder,” significantly increasing your chances of securing a deal.

The Capvisory Fund Tracker covers the USA, Canada, Europe, and the MENA region.

List of venture capital investors that successfully raised funds in 2025

January 2025
🇯🇵

$98M VC Fund: Focus on early-stage US and Japanese tech startups.

🇺🇸

$650M VC Fund: Sector-agnostic fund with a focus on Indian tech startups. Key investment areas include cybersecurity, SaaS, and AI-driven enterprise and consumer applications.

🇫🇮

$50M VC Fund: Invests in Finland and the Baltics, with historical ticket sizes of up to $1M.

🇺🇸

Funding undisclosed: Focus on B2B companies leveraging technology to address challenges in food and agriculture.

Defiant
🇬🇧

$30M VC Fund: Focused on Early-Stage B2B SaaS and fintech.

🇺🇸

$425M VC Fund: Invests across all areas of medtech, with a focus on medical devices and data science.

Smartfin
🇧🇪

$255M VC Fund: Growth fund accelerating Europe’s B2B tech innovations.

Capricorn
🇧🇪

$52M first closing: Healthcare-focused VC fund investing in digital health and medtech across Europe, from seed to Series B.

🇺🇸

$500M VC Fund: Eli Lilly and Andreessen Horowitz partnership with focus on biotech and healthcare.

🇺🇸

$1.2M Angel Fund: Invests mainly in Connecticut-based startups (US).

🇺🇸

$255M VC Fund: Targets growth-stage companies in the healthcare sector in North America.

🇺🇸

$68M VC Fund: Early-stage fund focusing on sports and entertainment startups.

Senovo
🇩🇪

$82M first closing: Early-stage fund specializing in B2B software investments.

🇺🇸

$12.5B VC Fund: Invests in leading software companies globally, supporting growth at any stage.

Ardian
🇺🇸

$3.2B Expansion Fund: Invests in high-growth, mission-critical SMEs in Europe to create international champions.

33East
🇨🇾

$26.6M first close: Sector-agnostic investor focused on Cypriot founders, investing between €100K and €1M, up to Series A.

🇪🇪

$100M VC Fund: Invests in defense startups developing military and dual-use technologies.

🇳🇱

$25M first close: Targets early-stage quantum technology startups globally, with a final fund target of €60M.

Portfolia
🇺🇸

$4.15M VC Fund: Focused on women’s health, including mental health, fertility, menopause, and aging.

AO Ventures
🇦🇺

$30M VC Fund: Tennis Australia's venture arm, investing in sports, entertainment, media, and health startups at seed to Series A stage.

🇺🇸

$110M VC Fund: Invests mainly in AI, but also software, life sciences, and deep tech, from pre-seed to Series A.

🇮🇹

$60M first close: Climate tech and deep tech fund focusing on key transition industries such as energy, materials, industrials, and food.

🇺🇸

$770M VC Fund: Invests in tech companies in Greater Seattle, the Pacific Northwest, and Silicon Valley across all stages.

Shift4Good
🇫🇷

$220M VC Fund: Specializes on Series A & B rounds in green mobility, with a focus on Europe and Southeast Asia.

Virtue
🇺🇸

$55.75M VC Fund: Invests in pre-seed and seed-stage healthcare startups, with check sizes ranging from $1M to $2M.

🇮🇳

$23M VC Fund: Invests in early-stage fintech startups in India.

Curie.bio
🇺🇸

$340M VC Fund: A seed-stage biotech VC and therapeutics accelerator.

🇺🇸

$160M VC Fund: Early-stage, sector-agnostic investor with a total fund target of $400M.

Forbion
🇳🇱

$168M VC Fund: A biotech-focused planetary health fund investing in B2B solutions for food, agriculture, materials, and sustainability.

Borski Fund
🇳🇱

$50M VC Fund: Backs inclusive and gender-diverse startups.

🇳🇿

$122M VC Fund: Invests in New Zealand’s most promising early-stage startups, backing founders launching global companies.

AgileGTM
🇵🇹

$2M first closing: A pan-European VC investing in pre-seed B2B blockchain startups, with a final fund target of $10M.

🇪🇬

$25M VC Fund: Supports startups in Egypt and Africa, helping them scale from ideation to regional and global expansion.

The51
🇨🇦

$51M VC Fund: Focuses on pre-seed to Series A startups using technology to transform food and agriculture.

February 2025
🇬🇧

$125M VC Fund: Invests in hard tech for tough markets, supporting early-stage founders from Europe and Israel in scaling globally.

🇩🇪

$500M VC Fund: Sector-agnostic fund split between early-stage investments and follow-ons through Series B and beyond.

🇩🇪

$400M VC Fund: Invests in startups with cutting-edge digital technologies, industrial AI, quantum, life sciences, and space tech.

🇳🇱

$50M VC Fund: Invests in gaming and app startups at pre-seed and seed stages, leveraging industry expertise.

🇺🇸

$230M VC Fund: Supports AI-native 'Software 3.0' companies, investing $1M-$10M at early stages.

Emblem
🇫🇷

$85M VC Fund: Invests at (pre)seed and seed stages in startups from France, Denmark, and Sweden.

🇺🇸

$30M VC Fund: Pre-seed and seed-stage crypto venture firm focused on blockchain innovation.

GTMfund
🇺🇸

$54M VC Fund: Invests in early-stage software companies at pre-seed, seed, and select Series A rounds, with check sizes of $500K-$1.5M.

🇺🇸

$33M VC Fund: Focuses on early-stage investments in frontier tech, including energy, space, robotics, and semiconductors.

🇺🇸

$615M VC Fund: Invests in high-growth companies through fund investments, direct deals, and solution-oriented secondaries.

ISAI
🇫🇷

$300M VC Fund: Invests €10M-€50M in growth buyouts and tech growth deals across France and Southern Europe.

🇯🇵

$744M VC Fund: Focuses on climate tech and decarbonization, backed by Japanese industrial and financial institutions.

🇧🇪

$115M VC Fund: Invests in non-listed European SMEs and scale-ups focused on the energy transition.

🇩🇪

$8.6M VC Fund: Germany’s first alumni fund, investing in (pre)seed startups from CDTM with a network of 300+ LPs.

🇨🇦

$150M VC Fund: Invests in early-stage tech across LegalTech, Fintech, Risk & Compliance, and Media.

🇪🇸

$50M first closing: VC focused on healthcare transformation through technology, supporting early-stage startups.

Antler
🇸🇪

$100M VC Fund: Nordic Fund II backs founders at inception, investing €300K in two tranches.

🇺🇸

$208M VC Fund: Seed-stage investor with a focus on data-driven decision-making and diverse founders.

🇸🇪

$67M VC Fund: Climate tech investor supporting the next global leaders in sustainability.

NextSTEP
🇬🇧

$1.6M VC Fund: Early-stage investor focusing on sustainable startups with acceleration support.

🇺🇸

$249M VC Fund: Invests in climate tech companies from seed to Series A.

🇸🇪

$75M VC Fund: Nordic-focused investor in life sciences and technology startups.

🇸🇦

$30M VC Fund: Sector-agnostic VC investing in early-stage startups across MENA and U.S.-based AI.

🇩🇪

$105M VC Fund: Focuses on consumer health innovation, shifting healthcare from reactive to proactive.

🇪🇸

$46M first closing: Early-stage VC deploying €250K-€2M per ticket across scalable tech startups.

🇺🇸

$6.6M VC Fund: Invests $100K-$200K at pre-seed and seed stages, aiming for 30 companies in Fund I.

🇺🇸

$172M VC Fund: Invests in Series A & B rounds, focusing on underinvested entrepreneurs.

🇮🇱

$400M VC Fund: Invests in early-growth enterprise technology companies.

🇺🇸

$20M first closing: VC focused on early-stage tech investments.

venBio VC
🇺🇸

$528M VC Fund: Invests across all stages of clinical development, focusing on high-impact biotech.

Fund F
🇦🇹

$29.5M VC Fund: Backs pre-seed startups with gender-diverse founding teams in ClimateTech, FemTech, HealthTech, FinTech, and HR Tech.

🇩🇪

$40M VC Fund: Supports the startup ecosystem in Saarland with direct investments and fund-of-funds strategies.

Camber
🇺🇸

$210M VC Fund: Prioritizes B2B SaaS businesses with $3M-$20M in recurring revenue, focusing on PLG and inbound models.

🇬🇧

$126M VC Fund: Invests in the Cambridge startup ecosystem, supporting early-stage deep tech and life sciences.

Mätch VC
🇩🇪

$42M VC Fund: European-focused fund investing at early stages, open to Series A, with flexible initial tickets up to €1M.

Footwork VC
🇺🇸

$225M VC Fund: Leads and co-leads Seed and Series A rounds in consumer tech and enterprise consumerization.

🇺🇸

$185M VC Fund: Backs product-oriented founders at pre-seed, focusing on software startups.

🇺🇸

Funding undisclosed: VC firm connecting Silicon Valley and Southeast Asia investors, focused on climate tech, supply chain, and health tech.

🇺🇸

$245M VC Fund: Invests exclusively in B2B software at the seed stage, making ~10 investments per year.

🇺🇸

Funding undisclosed: Pre-seed VC fund supporting early-stage biotech startups with capital, lab space, and mentorship.

🇷🇴

$100M VC Fund: Supports SME growth in Romania, focusing on healthcare, B2B services, retail, and niche manufacturing.

P1 Ventures
🇰🇾

$50M VC Fund: Invests in ‘Built in Africa for the World’ companies, leveraging proprietary deal flow data.

🇺🇸

$664M VC Funds: Invests in top-performing venture funds and companies across sectors, geographies, and blockchain.

🇺🇸

$60M VC Fund: Invests in creator-led businesses across multiple verticals, emphasizing brand and content-driven growth.

🇦🇺

$6.3M first closing: VC focuses on sovereign early-stage startups with military applications, excluding controversial weapons.

🇬🇧

$190M VC Fund: Invests in early-stage companies and technologies through its Venture and Growth Capital fund.

March 2025
Fund List
🇺🇸

Undisclosed VC Fund: Invests from Seed to Series B in aviation and transportation tech, launched by NYC-based Vantage Group.

🇺🇸

$100M VC Fund: Backs AI startups reshaping the energy sector for a more efficient and resilient grid.

🇺🇸

Undisclosed VC Fund: Focuses on connected devices, automotive, and mobility solutions, typically investing at Seed stage and beyond.

🇺🇸

$20M VC Fund: Targets early-stage “social discovery” startups to foster next-gen social platforms and communities.

🇦🇪

$20M VC Fund: Invests Seed to Series B across LATAM, Africa, MENAP in O2O, B2B SaaS, and FinTech, leveraging Yango’s global presence.

🇺🇸

$22.5M VC Fund: Early-stage investor with a hands-on approach, focusing on fewer startups for deep operational support.

Pillar VC
🇺🇸

$175M VC Fund: Invests in early-stage deep tech and biotech, out of Boston, with $500M total AUM.

🇺🇸

$62M second close (target $100M VC Fund): Seed-stage enterprise software investor with a global approach; invests through Series A.

Redstone
🇩🇪

$64M VC Fund: Early-stage investments in the Alpine region, partnering with regional asset managers and entrepreneurs.

🇺🇸

$300M VC Fund: Focuses on Seed to Series A in manufacturing, logistics, transportation, defense, and energy.

🇺🇸

$40M VC Fund: Doubles down on foodtech, digital health, and enterprise SaaS, especially in the Midwest.

2150
🇩🇰

$200M VC Fund: Research-led approach to climate tech for urban environments, typically writing Series A checks.

Daphni
🇫🇷

$215M first close (target $270M VC Fund): Emphasizes science-driven innovation for the next wave of breakthroughs.

Open Ocean
🇫🇮

$110M first close (target $130M VC Fund): Invests in European software and AI-driven data ventures, typically early-stage to Series A.

🇺🇸

$175M VC Fund: Pre-seed and Seed, sector-agnostic with a strong software focus; big believers in AI.

🇺🇸

$600M VC Fund: Hunts “$0B markets” in enterprise, AI, fintech, and crypto—backing founders who create entirely new markets.

🇺🇸

$1B VC Fund: B2B software powerhouse, fueling iconic SaaS companies and building on its enterprise track record.

🇪🇸

$152M VC Fund: Europe-focused investor in cybersecurity, applied AI, digital infrastructure, hardware, digital health, and space.

🇺🇸

$25M first close (target $80M VC Fund): Seed/early deep-tech/hard-tech across the US Southwest and Northwest Europe.

🇫🇮

Undisclosed VC Fund: Super-early investing in Finland, Sweden, and Estonia, with active follow-ons.

LoftyInc
🇳🇬

$43M VC Fund: Late-seed vehicle backing African tech startups as they scale.

8VC
🇺🇸

$998M VC Fund: Early- to growth-stage, focusing on supply chain, logistics, and transformative tech, based in Austin.

Bessemer
🇺🇸

$350M VC Fund: Backs founders at the earliest stages in AI-enabled services, SaaS, fintech, digital health, and cybersecurity.

🇫🇷

$1.2B VC Fund: Major European life sciences investor fueling healthcare and biotech innovation.

🇳🇱

$107M VC Fund: Amsterdam-based VC focused on Web3 and blockchain ventures.

🇬🇧

$81M VC Fund: Invests in automation, AI, carbon capture, electrification, and low-carbon materials for net zero.

🇺🇸

$177M VC Fund: Invests in early-stage B2B companies transforming enterprise, healthcare, and financial services.

Fusion Fund
🇺🇸

$190M VC Fund: Palo Alto-based investor targeting enterprise AI, healthcare, and industrial automation startups.

🇵🇹

Undisclosed VC Fund: Porto-based cybersecurity and infrastructure software VC, investing globally.

Jsquare
🇸🇬

$50M VC Fund: Blockchain-focused firm backing RWAs, DeFi, PayFi, and consumer Web3 apps.

🇺🇸

$181.8M VC Fund: Backs consumer, commerce, and culture startups across the US.

🇲🇨

$13M VC Fund: Seeks “big ideas solving big problems” in SaaS, fintech, healthcare, platforms, and deeptech.

🇺🇸

$85M VC Fund: Targets proven climate and decarbonization tech—clean energy, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable land use.

🇺🇸

$175M VC Fund: Invests in natural climate solutions to reduce emissions across agriculture and beyond.

🇬🇧

$24M VC Fund: UK-based, invests Pre-Seed/Seed in B2B SaaS and consumer tech.

🇺🇸

$56M VC Fund: Seed-stage fintech investor fueling financial resilience solutions.

🇺🇸

$25M first close (target $50M VC Fund): Cleveland-based firm backing Seed & Series A startups in Ohio.

Disrupt.com
🇦🇪

$100M VC Fund: Dubai-based venture builder backing AI-focused tech startups worldwide.

LoneTree
🇺🇸

$200M VC Fund: NYC-based firm investing in software, fintech, digital infrastructure, and healthcare IT.

Daybreak
🇺🇸

$33M VC Fund: Pre-Seed & Seed investor in internet/software companies.

Equator
🇬🇧

$55M VC Fund: Climate-tech investor for Sub-Saharan Africa across energy, agriculture, and mobility.

🇦🇪

$50M second close: Early-stage MENA focus in fintech, healthtech, edtech, and sustainability.

🇨🇿

$54M VC Fund: Backs sustainable startups in Europe with climate-friendly and social impact.

🇸🇬

$50M first close (target $100M VC Fund): Targets maritime supply chain to digitize and decarbonize shipping.

🇩🇪

Undisclosed VC Fund: Co-builds and invests in sustainable, profitable, and impactful ventures.

🇸🇪

$27M VC Fund: Stockholm-based investor accelerating European SaaS, embedded finance, and fintech scaleups.

🇫🇷

$27M VC Fund: Early-stage backer of games tech for next-gen interactive entertainment.

🇬🇧

$35M VC Fund: Early-stage digital health and fast-tracked medical devices.

🇺🇸

$20M VC Fund: Seed investments across AI, fintech, mobility, and sustainability, focused on European founders.

April 2025

Will be published on May 3, 2025.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

At Capvisory, we noticed a gap: there’s no easy-to-access, up-to-date source that actively tracks the venture capital fund ecosystem. Founders are often stuck with expensive, outdated, or incomplete lists that don’t reflect who’s really investing. So we built a live data dashboard that highlights active funds, tailored for startups in fundraising mode. In our experience, the right investor data often makes the difference between a smooth and a painful fundraising process.

We focus exclusively on venture capital firms that have recently announced a fund closing – meaning actual capital to deploy. We intentionally leave out firms that only announced a fund launch without secured commitments to help founders avoid wasting time.

We also aim to exclude VC firms that appear suspicious or lack transparency.

The Capvisory Fund Tracker currently covers active funds across the US, Canada, Europe, and the MENA region.

Feel free to reach out. We generally don’t share the raw data, but once we’ve had a chance to connect, we’re happy to provide a tailored list of relevant funds for your company.

We crawl dozens of industry sources and pull data from several databases and newsletters. Every fund is manually verified using press releases, LinkedIn, and official fund websites to ensure the highest possible data quality.

Still, we can’t guarantee we catch every fund. If you notice one that’s missing, feel free to reach out – we genuinely appreciate any tips!

Capvisory is a fundraising and exit consultancy for startups building tech products. Our fund tracker supports this mission by making the VC landscape more transparent and keeping our investor CRM up to date with fresh, high-quality data.


Any other questions about the Fund Tracker?

We run the Fund Tracker to provide founders, investors, advisors, and all other stakeholders in the startup ecosystem with ongoing updates on the fundraising landscape. Have input for us, want to add a fund, or interested in the data behind the list? Feel free to reach out at hi@capvisory.de.

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in fundraising, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

PE fund tracker: current trends in private equity fundraising

We’ve analyzed the results of the Capvisory Private Equity Fund and break down below how the raised capital is distributed across regions and industries.

Capvisory Insights

Trends in Private Equity

Current trends in private equity fundraising (2025)

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in fundraising, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

Gründer und Partner

Gründer und Partner

We analyzed the results of the Capvisory Private Equity Fund Tracker from October 2024 to January 2025 (4 months) and outline below how the raised capital is allocated across regions and industries.

Private Equity Remains U.S.-Dominated

Since October, we have tracked 55 new private equity (PE) funds with a combined volume of $114.9 billion. Of these, 44 funds originate from the U.S. (83,5 %), reflecting a dominance that is evident not only in the number of funds but also in the assets under management.

Particularly concerning: In Germany, only a single new private equity fund was identified during the same period: the NORD Holding UBG, with the first closing of its buyout fund DMH III at €500 million.

The regions included in our analysis are the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the MENA region.


Why Does This Matter for Entrepreneurs?


1. Impact on Startups
For ambitious tech entrepreneurs, the U.S.’s dominance in private equity means that most scaling and exit opportunities lie across the Atlantic. While American funds do invest in Europe—Thoma Bravo’s acquisition of EQS Group in early 2024 is a notable example—the U.S. remains the primary market. This explains why many world-class founders, innovative companies, and even German DAX corporations are increasingly focusing on the U.S. to benefit from its superior business and financing environment.

2. Investor Perspective
The U.S. not only boasts a high concentration of top talent and a strong entrepreneurial culture but also an immense accumulation of capital. This is already evident in public markets, where 74% of the MSCI World Index is made up of U.S. stocks (as of February 2025). A similar trend can be seen in private markets – U.S. private equity funds seem further strengthen their dominance, potentially sidelining other regions.

3. Macro-Economic Implications for Europe
While Europe has a strong industrial backbone and a resilient mid-sized business sector, it often lacks flexible capital for growth financing, restructurings, and innovation. Without a competitive private equity sector, the EU risks falling further behind economically and technologically, while other regions continue to grow faster and innovate more aggressively.

Energy & Climate Tech Leads in Funding


Between October 2024 and January 2025, private equity funds in Energy & Climate Tech attracted the highest level of investment, followed by broad, sector-agnostic funds. Healthcare and services also remained key investment areas, while traditional industries and consumer-focused sectors saw comparatively less interest.

Since private equity investors will need to deploy the capital they have raised, this trend serves as a strong signal for founders – highlighting the sectors where entrepreneurial opportunities are currently most attractive.


Conclusion

Private equity remains heavily concentrated in U.S.-based funds. Among sectors, Energy & Climate Tech stood out as the most attractive to private equity investors between October 2024 and January 2025.

With our Capvisory Fund Tracker, we will continue monitoring new private equity and venture capital funds and providing regular updates. To get the latest insights directly in your LinkedIn feed, follow Julius Krätschmer on LinkedIn.

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in fundraising, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

Consumer VC: What are the key investment ideas of investors?

What are the investment theses of the leading consumer venture capital investors in 2025? We have interviewed fund managers, analyzed data, and gathered perspectives.

Capvisory Insights

Consumer Startups

Consumer VC: What are the key investment ideas of leading investors? (2025)

The specialized Berlin-based M&A boutique Capvisory supports startups in Seed and Series A funding rounds as well as in exit processes. In this content piece, we share our perspective on the current fundraising climate in the consumer segment.

Gründer und Partner

Gründer und Partner

This is the second part (2/2) of our deep dive into the consumer sector. In our first piece, we explored how consumer startups have struggled to attract venture capital (VC) investors since interest rates began rising in late 2021. Despite this shift, some investors remain active – our list features over 30 consumer-focused VCs in 2025.

Now, we’re diving into their investment theses: Why are these investors still betting on the consumer sector, even as the market moves away from it and many VCs have dropped consumer investments from their focus areas?


Sidebar: Why is Capvisory so focused on the consumer sector?

As an M&A advisor specializing in fundraising and exits for tech startups, we continue to see significant potential in the consumer sector. Despite current challenges, we remain optimistic, committed to expanding our engagement in this space, and dedicated to actively connecting investors with founders.

1. The Consumer Sector: A Rollercoaster Ride


Investor enthusiasm for consumer investments has always fluctuated. Macroeconomic factors have often triggered periods of decline and premature obituaries, only for venture capital to return, driven by technological advancements or radical shifts in consumer behavior.

Looking back over the past 30 years, we see that each wave of major disruptive B2C companies has been fueled by new innovation cycles. In the 2000s, the internet propelled the rise of tech giants like Google and Facebook. Around 2010, the cloud revolution paved the way for consumer market leaders such as Netflix (streaming since 2007), Spotify, and Twitch. At the same time, evolving consumer habits led to the surge of marketplace platforms and sharing economy models like Airbnb, Uber, and DoorDash.

In more traditional consumer categories like fashion, food, and cosmetics, technological innovation played a smaller role. Instead, new go-to-market strategies revolutionized access to end customers – from the early days of online marketing in the early 2010s to the Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) boom from 2015 and the rise of influencer marketing starting in 2016.

By 2021, many consumer businesses had reached all-time highs in both valuation and revenue. Even unprofitable consumer startups (like the German food delivery service Gorillas) achieved unicorn status (valuations exceeding €1 billion) and secured massive funding within just a year of launch. In hindsight, a wild ride!

Since interest rates began rising and the so-called “E-Commerce Winter” set in, consumer startups have faced much tougher conditions. Many founders report that venture capital now seems to favor B2B models over consumer-focused businesses.

The data backs up these observations: At the end of 2023, Carta reported that only 7% of seed-stage funding went to consumer startups – the lowest share since 2018. In 2024, SVB followed up with data showing that among the 100 most active VC firms, consumer investments accounted for just 6% – half of what they were two years prior. Even at the earliest stages, the trend is evident: The Y Combinator W24 batch featured noticeably few consumer startups.

However, unlike previous “consumer crises” such as the 2008 financial crisis, today’s macroeconomic data presents a more nuanced and resilient picture of consumer health than investors or consumers themselves might perceive. Here’s a study from the Federal Reserve on U.S. household financial self-assessment:


This relative consumer stability, combined with the fact that many of the world’s largest startups follow B2C models, explains why professional investors continue to bet on the consumer market. What these investors likely also recognize: According to PitchBook data, the total value of the five largest consumer exits between 1995 and 2022 was 2.3 times higher than that of enterprise companies.

2. The Investment Theses of Active Consumer VCs

 

We spoke with investors in Europe and the U.S. to understand their perspectives on the consumer sector. Below, we outline six key theses that can provide founders with guidance and highlight which themes are particularly promising for venture capital funding.

Thesis 1: “Experiences Over Material Possessions” – Robert Kusche, Best Nights VC

🇩🇪

Corporate Venture Capital of Mast-Jägermeister SE, investing in media, entertainment, and nightlife consumer startups.

Senior Investment Manager Robert Kusche from Best Nights VC, a Berlin-based Corporate Venture Capital fund (CVC) backed by Jägermeister, shared insights into their core investment thesis: Consumers today increasingly crave unforgettable experiences over material possessions.

Best Nights VC invests in consumer startups shaping the future of nightlife and entertainment—especially those that bring people together in real life. A great example is their portfolio company Thursdays, which reimagines traditional dating app functionality by focusing on bringing people together specifically on Thursdays.

→ Are you building the next community, gathering, or social startup? Then you should definitely reach out to Robert at Best Nights VC!


At Capvisory, we share the belief that demand for extraordinary experiences and memorable moments is rapidly growing – from immersive events and personalized travel offerings to interactive shopping formats. Younger consumers, in particular, are increasingly prioritizing unique experiences over material goods.

Studies and leading trend researchers back this shift with concrete data: 52% of Gen Z respondents in a McKinsey survey stated that they prefer to spend more on experiences, compared to just 29% of Baby Boomers. 

Thesis 2: Artificial Intelligence is Driving the Next Big Technological Shift in Consumer Tech – Matthew Chandler, Octopus Ventures

 

🇬🇧

London-based VC fund with three core focus areas: a sustainable planet, empowering people, and revitalizing healthcare.

Artificial intelligence is currently everywhere, but at startup conferences, the focus seems often on B2B models only. However, Matthew Chandler from UK-based investor Octopus Ventures sees a massive opportunity in consumer tech. He believes that AI-driven innovation could fuel the next wave of consumer unicorns, and that the early years of this technology will be crucial in determining who comes out on top.

Octopus Ventures invests across various verticals, including Consumer, Deep Tech, and Health, all under a common mission: “Putting people, community, and the environment first.”

→ Are you building a consumer startup leveraging AI to create something truly groundbreaking? Then reach out to Matthew!


At Capvisory, we share the excitement for AI’s potential in the consumer space. From AI-powered shopping assistants and self-driving cars to smart home devices with adaptive user experiences—this technology is enabling entirely new product interactions.

From a business perspective, AI offers significant advantages: scalability, high margins, and hyper-personalization—key drivers for the consumer brands of the future. Major CPG and retail corporations recognize this shift as well: 42% of retail and CPG companies are already leveraging AI technology, while another 34% are in the testing or implementation phase.

Thesis 3: Compelling Entry Valuations and Strong Exit Opportunities – Julie Roze, Korelya Brands

🇫🇷

Part of Korelya Capital, a Paris-based early-stage VC that provides financing and access to Asian markets, with prominent B2C portfolio brands.

The cautious stance of many VCs toward the consumer sector is reshuffling the deck. Consumer founders now have fewer funding options and must accept significantly less favorable terms compared to 2021. However, this creates an attractive opportunity for long-term-oriented investors: lower valuations and reduced competition for funding rounds make for compelling entry points.

This is the perspective of Julie Roze from French VC Korelya Brands (part of Korelya Capital). While consumer startups are struggling with low valuations during fundraising, established legacy brands face growth challenges. This dynamic opens the door for well-positioned challenger brands – companies that can be invested in at a relatively low cost and ultimately become attractive acquisition targets for major players.

→ Are you a European consumer challenger brand in sectors like beauty, health, wellness, or sportswear with strong growth potential? Then reach out to Julie!


At Capvisory, we are closely monitoring this shift. Valuations for consumer startups have dropped significantly since 2021, and we regularly speak with founders who, despite strong numbers, are facing tougher funding conditions. Growth alone is no longer enough, especially in the consumer sector, where even early-stage investors are now placing greater emphasis on profitable growth.

However, founders who know the right investors, understand their investment thesis, and recognize which key metrics matter can still close successful funding rounds.

Thesis 4: Longevity, Consumer Life Science & Health

🇺🇸

US-based VC focused on consumer health, and consumer goods, investing in Pre-Seed and Seed-stage rounds.

What is the one universal human desire? Health. Even in the wealthiest regions of the world, no one is immune to illness.

The market for longevity, wellness, biohacking, and personalized health solutions is growing exponentially. According to the McKinsey Future of Wellness Report, which surveyed over 5,000 consumers worldwide, Millennials and Gen Z are spending significantly more on health and wellness than older generations.

Specialized VCs like LongeVC and NaturalX focus explicitly on this space, while more broad-based consumer VCs such as Joyance Partners are also doubling down on the trend.

Investment Partner Jun Deng from Joyance Partners emphasizes that the future of health lies in preventive, personalized, and emotionally engaging solutions. According to Deng, people are increasingly prioritizing overall well-being, beyond just physical health, extending to mental and emotional wellness. This perspective shapes Joyance Partners’ investment approach, which focuses on four key pillars: sleep, food, exercise, and mood (More to find here). Jun Deng further explains:

“Regardless of funding challenges, we at Joyance continue to see healthcare as an essential and value-creating investment area. We seek startups solving significant unmet healthcare needs with innovative and highly impactful solutions with clear paths to product-market fit.”

→ Are you building at the intersection of consumer and health? Does your solution help people live healthier, happier lives? Then you should definitely connect with Jun Deng from Joyance Partners!

At Capvisory, we firmly believe that consumer health is one of the most exciting growth markets. According to Joyance Partners’ research, U.S. healthcare spending alone reached $4.3 trillion in 2021 and is projected to rise to $6.2 trillion by 2028. Increasing consumer responsibility for personal health and rapid technological advancements create enormous opportunities for founders. 70% of consumers are willing to spend more on preventive health solutions—a clear trend that investors are increasingly recognizing and actively supporting.

Thesis 5: Age of Personalization

🇺🇸

Early-stage consumer-only VC with a special interest in how people live, work, learn, play, eat, and stay healthy.

Mass-produced consumer products are losing appeal, while highly personalized solutions are booming. Examples include customized supplements, individualized fashion, and context-aware beauty products.

This is the core thesis of consumer-only VC firm Maveron. According to Maveron, the next wave in the consumer market will be shaped by the “Age of Personalization.” Consumers increasingly expect tailor-made experiences, ranging from personalized nutrient blends and curated fashion recommendations to AI-generated media content that perfectly matches their preferences.

Maveron investors Natalie Dillon and Simran Suri emphasize that technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, are enabling an unprecedented level of consumer behavior analysis. Data is no longer just a byproduct of digital interactions—it is the key driver behind personalized services. Companies that leverage this potential effectively can build deep customer loyalty and unlock entirely new markets.

Maveron actively invests in consumer startups pioneering this transformation. The fund believes that massive value creation opportunities will emerge in the coming years, driven by evolving consumer expectations, technological breakthroughs, and macroeconomic shifts.

→ Are you building a consumer startup centered on personalization? Then connect with Natalie Dillon and Simran Suri from Maveron!

These 6: Community-Driven Growth

🇪🇪

Seed-stage VC focusing on European software startups with a consumer or community component.

Over the past 20 years, the go-to-market playbook for consumer-facing ventures has continuously evolved, with notable milestones such as Meta Ads, content marketing, and influencer marketing. Now, a new buzzword is dominating the conversation: “Community Growth.”

The VC investor Trind, based in Estonia with offices in Tallinn, Helsinki, and Munich, has embraced this thesis and actively invests in consumer startups with a strong community component.

Reima Linnanvirta, Partner at Trind Ventures in Helsinki, explains:

“If you build your startup on the elements of a large audience, short sales cycles, growing purchases, and low churn & high retention, you are well on your way to creating a startup that will outperform your competition.”

While sales-led business models often struggle to maintain even linear growth, community-driven models enable exponential growth—once product-market fit is achieved.

Additionally, traditional influencer marketing is losing effectiveness: 45% of 13- to 22-year-olds no longer trust influencers as they once did, while 53% now place greater trust in recommendations from everyday users. 

A compelling real-world example? Berlin-based soft drink brand Holy. While their product is certainly solid, it is not a technological innovation. However, what Holy excels at is leveraging community-building as a growth driver, and that is what makes the difference.

Conclusion: Opportunities for Consumer Startups in 2025

Even in 2025, the market environment for consumer founders remains challenging, but there are dynamic segments with great potential. Despite difficult conditions, opportunities arise for founders who are aware of VC concerns, act counter-cyclically, and focus on sustainable, scalable, and profitable business models.

As clearly demonstrated by the VCs mentioned above: AI, health, challenger brands with exit potential, personalization, community growth, and unique consumer experiences are in demand. Those who clearly differentiate themselves in these areas can successfully position themselves and secure funding even in a tough market environment.

Which consumer trends do you see for 2025? Write to us or connect with us!

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in fundraising, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

45 state-backed venture capital firms in Germany you should know

State-backed venture capital firms play a crucial role in fostering innovation by funding startups in strategic industries. This article highlights 45 key state-affiliated VC firms in Germany.

Capvisory Insights

Venture capital exclusively for German startups

Top 45 state-backed venture capital investors you should know in Germany

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in fundraising, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

Gründer und Partner

Gründer und Partner

Many founders are unaware that Germany has a range of publicly funded venture capital (VC) funds explicitly targeting German startups.
 

These government-backed VCs complement private investors and provide startups based in Germany with valuable opportunities to secure competitive funding.

At Capvisory, we have integrated these so-called “matching facilities” into several fundraising projects, collaborating with funds such as HTGF, IBB, ILB, BayernCapital, and various MBGs.

 

The landscape of government-backed venture capital in Germany is complex and heavily influenced by federalism. Each state prioritizes the topic differently and maintains its own investment funds. This is where our updated Capvisory List 2025 comes in: As experts in fundraising and exit processes for tech startups, we provide a concise overview to help founders quickly identify the right contacts in their region.

State-backed venture capital can be broadly categorized into four groups:

    1. National (semi-)governmental VC funds investing directly (e.g., High-Tech Gründerfonds)
    2. Regional (semi-)governmental VC funds investing directly (e.g., IBB Ventures)
    3. State-level SME investment companies, known as ‘Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaften’ (MBGs) (e.g., BayBG, MBG Baden-Württemberg)
    4. Private VC funds with a public institution as anchor investor (e.g., Gründerfonds Ruhr)
    5. Fund-of-funds and institutional investors (e.g., KfW Capital)

This article focuses on regional and national (semi-)governmental VC funds that invest directly in startups, private VCs with a public institution as anchor investors, as well as state-level SME investment companies (MBGs). For founders, this list serves as a valuable resource to find the right investor for their next funding round.

Why does state-backed venture capital exist?

The German government provides equity capital through various funds and instruments to support innovative startups and SMEs. Early-stage startups, in particular, often struggle to secure venture capital. Publicly funded VCs help bridge this funding gap—especially in strategically important industries such as Deep Tech, ClimateTech, Life Sciences, and Defense. In contrast, these funds rarely invest in sectors like Consumer, Lifestyle, or Web 3.0.

How do state-backed VC investments work?

State-backed investment firms often act as co-investors, partnering with private VC funds or business angels. In most cases, the private investor matching is structured at 30/70 or 50/50, meaning startups may only need to raise 30% from private investors to receive 70% in government-backed capital. However, the application, selection, and due diligence process is generally the same as with traditional venture investors.

Many of these funds focus on Seed or Series A rounds, often with the potential for follow-on investments. An exception is the DTCF, which enters at a later stage, offering investments starting at €10 million.

Each government-backed investment firm has specific focus areas, often aligned with political priorities and economic trends. Currently, many funds prioritize Green Tech, Climate Tech, Deep Tech, Energy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). In recent years, Defense Tech has also gained momentum.

Mezzanine capital & silent partnerships: Beyond traditional equity investments, some government-backed funds also offer hybrid financing structures, such as mezzanine capital or silent partnerships.

The 5 major nationwide state-backed VC funds in Germany

These state-backed VC investors operate on a nationwide level in Germany. Every startup seeking venture capital should be aware of these players.

1. High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF)
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Ticket Size: Up to €1 million in the first round, up to €30 million in follow-ons
Industry Focus: Digital Tech, Industrial Tech, Life Sciences, Chemistry & adjacent fields
Geographic Focus: Germany (only German startups)
Sponsor: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital & private investors

2. Coparion (in its original form)
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
Ticket Size: Co-investments up to €15 million per startup (50% of the round must come from private investors)
Industry Focus: Sector-agnostic
Geographic Focus: Germany (only German startups)
Sponsor: KfW Capital, ERP special fund, private banks

3. DeepTech & Climate Fund (DTCF)
Stage: Series A and beyond
Ticket Size: Start at €10 million per investment (acts as an anchor investor alongside private investors)
Industry Focus: Deep Tech, Industrial Tech, Computing, Climate, Life Sciences & adjacent fields
Geographic Focus: Germany (only German startups)
Sponsor: Zukunftsfonds, ERP special fund, KfW Capital

4. SPRIND – German Agency for Breakthrough Innovations
Stage: “Early-stage innovation projects”
Ticket Size: Various funding instruments, often up to €1 million
Industry Focus: Sector-agnostic, focused on “breakthrough innovations”
Geographic Focus: Germany & EFTA countries
Sponsor: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) & Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)

5. LBBW Venture Capital
Stage: Seed, Series A
Ticket Size: Up to €3 million
Industry Focus: Enterprise IT, IoT, Industry 4.0, AI/ML, FinTech, Big Data & Analytics in various industrial sectors, drug development, diagnostics, MedTech, and Healthcare IT
Geographical Focus: DACH region
Sponsor: Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW)

Since 2023, the KfW has been offering also the “Venture Tech Growth Financing (VTGF)” program, a government-backed debt financing option for young, technology-driven growth companies with VC funding that receive private loans or venture debt from professional institutions.

Insights from our experience with state-backed VCs

At Capvisory, we have supported multiple fundraising rounds involving state-backed investment funds and have had the opportunity to connect with many fund managers. Naturally, we are particularly active in Berlin with IBB Ventures, but we have also collaborated with others such as IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH in Hamburg, HTGF or NBank Capital.

Key takeaways from working with state-backed VCs:

Great opportunity for local startups: State-backed VCs often have a strong regional focus, specifically supporting startups from their respective areas. This provides local startups with funding opportunities they might not receive from nationwide or purely private VCs.

Co-investments with private investors: State-backed VCs rarely invest alone—they typically match private investments or act as co-investors. This can be highly beneficial if your startup has already secured commitments from private investors. Additionally, the ability to double the invested capital is a strong argument when convincing private investors to participate. Most regions have well-known and respected private investors, and their commitment signals credibility to the state-backed VC.

Slower processes compared to private VCs: Unlike fully private investors, state-backed funds are bound by bureaucratic approval processes. This can lead to longer due diligence and delayed investment decisions, making the funding process slower than with private VCs.

Capital availability even in downturns: Since these funds are publicly financed, their investment decisions are less dependent on market cycles compared to private VCs. Even in challenging years, when private investors become more cautious, state-backed VCs can continue investing within their pre-allocated budgets.

Tip for Founders: Start by reaching out to your regional state-backed VC, development bank, or mid-sized investment company (Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft). These institutions oversee most funding programs and offer the fastest and most tailored advice. Taking this step early makes sense—first, because their due diligence process can take time, and second, because a soft commitment from them can serve as a catalyst for converting private investors.

The 19 most important regional state-backed venture capital firms in Germany (2025)

Most state-backed regional investment firms—aside from MBGs—are funded by federal states or are subsidiaries of regional development banks. These development banks are state-owned or semi-public financial institutions, primarily financed through federal or state funds. They pursue economic policy objectives and are not profit-oriented.

Below is a list of the most important regional players, including their stage focus, ticket sizes, and industry specializations.

    1. IBB Ventures (Berlin)
      Stage: Seed and Series A
      Ticket Size: Up to €1 million initially, follow-up investments up to €5 million
      Industry Focus: Software & IT, Healthcare, Industrial Technologies, Consumer & Digital, Impact
      Geographical Focus: Berlin
      Sponsor: Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB)
    2. Bayern Kapital (Bavaria)
      Stage: Seed and growth financing
      Ticket Size: €250,000 to €25 million
      Industry Focus: Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Medical Technology, Software & IT, Environmental Technology, Nanotechnology, Materials & New Materials
      Geographical Focus: Bavaria
      Sponsor: LfA Förderbank Bayern
    3. NRW.BANK Venture Fonds (North Rhine-Westphalia)
      Stage: Seed to growth financing
      Ticket Size: Up to €15 million (initial investment up to €5 million)
      Industry Focus: Climate Tech, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Enterprise Software, SaaS, IT Security, Life Sciences (Diagnostics, Pharmaceuticals, Medical Technology), Robotics, Photonics, New Materials, Digitalization of Industry, Economy, and Administration, Digital Business, as well as innovative business models
      Geographical Focus: North Rhine-Westphalia
      Sponsor: NRW.BANK
    4. Gründerfonds Ruhr (North Rhine-Westphalia)
      Stage: Seed
      Ticket Size: undisclosed
      Industry Focus: Sector-agnostic, with a particular interest in B2B tech in Life Sciences, Cybersecurity, and Industry 4.0
      Geographic Focus: Nationwide in Germany, with a special focus on the Ruhr region
      Sponsor: Private investors and NRW.BANK as anchor investor.
    5. Brandenburg Kapital (Brandenburg)
      Stage: Seed to Series B
      Ticket Size: Up to €7.5 million
      Industry Focus: Industry, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Healthcare, Life Sciences
      Geographical Focus: Brandenburg
      Sponsor: Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg (ILB)
    6. IFB Innovationsstarter GmbH (Hamburg)
      Stage: Seed, Series A
      Ticket Size: Up to €7 million
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Hamburg
      Sponsor: Investitions- und Förderbank Hamburg (IFB Hamburg)
    7. Saarländische Wagnisfinanzierungsgesellschaft (SWG) (Saarland)
      Stage: Seed, Series A
      Ticket Size: Up to €2 million
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Saarland
      Sponsor: Saarländische Investitionskreditbank AG (SIKB)
    8. Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen (TGFS) (Saxony)
      Stage: Seed, Series A
      Ticket Size: Up to €5 million
      Industry Focus: ICT (Software/Industry 4.0/IoT/Big Data Analysis), Semiconductor and Microsystem Technology, Medical Technology/Health Sciences, Electronics, Sensors, New Materials, New Media, Cleantech
      Geographical Focus: Saxony
      Sponsor: Free State of Saxony, Sächsische Aufbaubank
    9. IBG Beteiligungsgesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt)
      Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
      Ticket Size: Up to €10 million per investment
      Industry Focus: Energy, Mechanical and Plant Engineering, Resource Efficiency, Healthcare and Medicine, Mobility and Logistics, Chemistry and Bioeconomy, Nutrition and Agriculture
      Geographical Focus: Saxony-Anhalt
      Sponsor: State of Saxony-Anhalt
      Management: bmp Ventures
    10. GENIUS Venture Capital GmbH (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania)
      Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
      Ticket Size: Up to €1.5 million per investment
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic, but focused on ICT, Life Sciences, Environmental and Energy Technology, Mechanical Engineering
      Geographical Focus: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
      Sponsor: Technologie- und Gewerbezentrum e.V. Schwerin/Wismar
    11. Innovationsfonds Schleswig-Holstein (Schleswig-Holstein)
      Stage: Not specified
      Ticket Size: Up to €1 million per investment
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Schleswig-Holstein
      Sponsor: Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH), MBG Schleswig-Holstein mbH
    12. NBank Capital (Lower Saxony)
      Stage: Seed to mid-sized companies
      Ticket Size: Not specified
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Lower Saxony
      Sponsor: Investitions- und Förderbank Niedersachsen (NBank)
    13. BBM (BAB Beteiligungs- und Managementgesellschaft Bremen mbH) (Bremen)
      Stage: Seed, Series A
      Ticket Size: Up to €1.5 million per investment
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographic Focus: Bremen
      Sponsor: Bremer Aufbau-Bank (BAB)
    14. Capnamic Specialty Fund Bremen (Bremen)
      Stage: Seed, Series A
      Ticket Size: Up to €2 million per investment
      Industry Focus: Aerospace, Logistics, Nutrition, AI, or relevant key industries
      Geographical Focus: Bremen
      Sponsor: Capnamic, Sparkasse Bremen, Bremer Aufbau-Bank (BAB)
      Management: Capnamic
    15. Hessen Kapital III (Hesse)
      Stage: Seed, Series A
      Ticket Size: €0.1 to €1.5 million
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Hesse
      Sponsor: BMH Beteiligungs-Managementgesellschaft Hessen mbH
    16. Technologiefonds Hessen (TFH) (Hesse)
      Stage: Late Seed, Series A
      Ticket Size: Up to €2 million
      Industry Focus: IT, Fintech, Insurtech, Life Sciences, Deep Tech, IoT, Cleantech, with a specific focus on sustainable models
      Geographical Focus: Hesse
      Sponsor: BMH Beteiligungs-Managementgesellschaft Hessen mbH
    17. bm|t Beteiligungsmanagement Thüringen GmbH (Thuringia)
      Stage: Seed to mid-sized companies (Revenue <€75 million)
      Ticket Size: Up to €10 million
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic (including Life Sciences, IT, Optoelectronics)
      Geographical Focus: Thuringia
      Sponsor: Thüringer Aufbaubank
    18. Innovationsfonds Rheinland-Pfalz III (Rhineland-Palatinate)
      Stage: Seed to mid-sized companies (Revenue <€75 million)
      Ticket Size: Up to €10 million
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic (including Life Sciences, IT, Optoelectronics)
      Geographical Focus: Rhineland-Palatinate
      Sponsor: Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB)
    19. L-Bank Investment Program (Baden-Württemberg)
      Stage: Startups and mid-sized companies
      Ticket Size: Up to €7.5 million
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographic Focus: DACH region
      Backer: L-Bank – State Bank of Baden-Württemberg

List of the 13 regional investment companies (Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaften (MBG)) from which we know they work with starups

The MBGs are typically private institutions with close ties to SMEs, often backed by chambers of commerce, banks, or industry associations. They are funded through returns from previous investments, public funds, and private investors.

Below are the MBGs that we know work with startups:

    1. MBG Baden-Württemberg (Baden-Württemberg)
      Stage: Seed to Series A financing, SMEs
      Ticket Size: €0.2 to €3.0 million
      Industry Focus: Innovative and technology-oriented startups
      Geographical Focus: Baden-Württemberg
      Website: www.mbg.de/venture-capital/
    2. BayBG Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH (Bavaria)
      Stage: Pre-Series A to Series B, SMEs
      Ticket Size: Up to €5 million initial investment
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Bavaria
      Website: www.baybg-vc.de
    3. MBG Berlin-Brandenburg (Berlin and Brandenburg)
      Stage: Startup founders and SMEs
      Ticket Size: Individual, depending on the chosen program
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Berlin and Brandenburg
      Website: www.mbg-bb.de
    4. MBG Schleswig-Holstein (Schleswig-Holstein)
      Stage: Seed to growth financing, SMEs
      Ticket Size: Up to €1 million
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Schleswig-Holstein
      Website: www.mbg-sh.de
    5. MBG Hamburg (Hamburg)
      Stage: Startup foundation, Seed, Series A, SMEs
      Ticket Size: Up to €2.5 million
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Hamburg
      Website: www.mbg-hh.de
    6. MBG Hessen (Hesse)
      Stage: Early stage, growth, SMEs
      Ticket Size: Up to €10 million, depending on the specific fund
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic; support for technology-oriented ventures
      Geographical Focus: Hesse
      Website: www.bmh-hessen.de
    7. MBG Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania)
      Stage: R&D phase to market launch, SMEs
      Ticket Size: Up to €1.5 million
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
      Website: www.mbg-mv.de/programme/mv-innostartvc
    8. MBG Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony)
      Stage: Startup foundation, SMEs
      Ticket Size: Up to €0.2 million
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Lower Saxony
      Website: www.mbg-hannover.de
    9. MBG Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate)
      Stage: Startup foundation, growth, succession, SMEs
      Ticket Size: Up to €1.5 million
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Rhineland-Palatinate
      Website: www.bb-rlp.de
    10. KBG Saarland (Saarland)
      Stage: Growth, succession, investments
      Ticket Size: Individual
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Saarland
      Website: www.sikb.de
    11. MBG Sachsen (Saxony)
      Stage: Financing for small and medium-sized businesses
      Ticket Size: Individual
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Saxony
      Website: www.mbg-sachsen.de
    12. MBG Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt)
      Stage: Equity investments for mid-sized companies
      Ticket Size: Individual
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Saxony-Anhalt
      Website: www.mbg-sachsen-anhalt.de
    13. MBG Thüringen (Thuringia)
      Stage: Support through silent and open participations
      Ticket Size: Individual
      Industry Focus: Industry-agnostic
      Geographical Focus: Thuringia
      Website: www.mbg-thueringen.de

Conclusion on state-backed venture capital investors

State-backed venture capital firms are sometimes overlooked by founders, yet they can be a valuable funding source for German startups. They not only provide consistent capital—even during economically uncertain times—but also act as co-investors, facilitating access to private venture capital.

For regional startups in particular, these investors offer significant opportunities by specifically supporting local businesses. Despite occasionally bureaucratic processes, they serve as a viable alternative or complement to purely private VCs. The list above provides founders with a clear overview of the most important state-backed investors, making it easier to connect with the right funding partners.

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in fundraising rounds, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

The startup funding stages: from Pre-Seed to Series C

Each phase—pre-seed, seed, Series A, and beyond—requires unique financing strategies. This guide quickly overviews key milestones, benchmarks, and funding approaches, helping founders communicate effectively with stakeholders and investors.

Capvisory Insights

Understanding the stages of startup funding

Key startup financing stages and benchmarks (2025)

The specialized Berlin-based M&A boutique Capvisory supports startups in Seed and Series A funding rounds as well as in exit processes. In this content piece, we provide an overview of key startup financing stages and benchmarks for 2025.

Gründer und Partner

Gründer und Partner

This brief overview is designed for newcomers to the startup ecosystem who want to get up to speed quickly. It not only explains the individual funding stages but also provides concrete benchmarks, such as valuations, dilution, and growth metrics. Additionally, we offer a concise perspective on when (in our view) it makes sense to collaborate with fundraising or M&A boutiques.

Note: The stages are intended as a general guideline for all participants in the ecosystem to more easily gauge a startup’s progress. However, every startup journey is unique and may not necessarily fit into these standardized frameworks. Benchmarks vary depending on industry, country, and economic conditions, and should therefore only be viewed as a rough guideline.

startup investment phases



1. Pre-Seed Phase: The Concept Phase

The pre-seed phase marks the starting point of a startup’s journey. The primary goal is to identify a clear problem and define an innovative solution. 

This phase demands significant initiative from the founders, as it is often self-funded. However, founders with an attractive track record or a particularly innovative idea may attract professional investors willing to finance this phase based solely on the team, the idea, and a pitch deck. Examples include Berlin-based investor seed + speed or Munich-based Picus Capital. No revenues are typically expected at this stage.

    • Focus: Ideation, market research, founding team, prototype (MVP) development
    • Funding: Self-funding, grants, accelerator programs (e.g., Reaktor), crowdfunding, family offices, business angels, or specialized pre-seed VCs
    • Valuation: €1M–€5M
    • Investment Ask: €0.3M–€2M
    • Dilution: 5%–15%
    • Team Size: 1–5 employees
    • Metrics: Typically not relevant yet
    • Should you work with a fundraising advisor? At this stage, we believe it makes sense for founders to handle fundraising themselves. This helps build a vital network, gather feedback on their idea, and gain initial experience with the fundraising process for later stages.
    • Risk: High risk for investors. Over 90% of startups fail after this phase.

2. Seed Phase: Testing Market Response

In the seed phase, the startup refines its concept and takes its first steps toward market entry. The goal is to validate product-market fit (PMF) and acquire initial paying customers, laying the foundation for further growth.

    • Focus: Company formation, product development, market entry, acquiring initial customers, and ensuring high customer satisfaction
    • Funding: Business angels, crowd investing, early-stage venture capital funds (e.g., Cherry Ventures), grants, family offices, strategic investors
    • Valuation: €5M–€15M
    • Investment Ask: €1M–€5M
    • Dilution: 15%–20%
    • Team Size: 5–30 employees
    • Metrics: Revenue of €0–€2M, MoM growth >10%, high retention rate, and efficient customer acquisition costs (CAC)
    • Should you work with a fundraising advisor? Depending on the size and complexity of the round and your growth objectives, involving an advisor—at least in a consulting role—can be worthwhile. At Capvisory, we typically invest 300–400 hours per mandate in this phase, freeing up founders to focus on sales, product development, and hiring (a clear ROI).
    • Risk: Still a very high risk for investors. Approximately 75% of startups fail after this phase.

3. Series A: The Growth Phase

The Series A financing round marks the startup’s transition into the growth phase. The focus is on scaling operational processes and achieving substantial revenue growth. Startups often aim to increase market share and expand their existing customer base. This phase usually makes the startup more visible within its industry, as it positions itself as a new player in the market.

    • Focus: Growth, diversification, hiring, and building organizational structures
    • Funding: Venture capital funds (e.g., Project A), family offices, venture debt, or strategic investors (e.g., established companies in the same sector)
    • Valuation: €15M–€100M
    • Investment Ask: €5M–€30M
    • Dilution: 15%–25%
    • Team Size: 30–75 employees
    • Metrics: Revenue of €0.5M–€10M, YoY revenue growth >50%
    • Should you work with a fundraising advisor? Fundraising advisors can provide significant value at this stage by driving the process alongside founders at an operational level. Founders benefit from advisors’ expertise, investor networks, and operational support, saving countless hours of time. At this stage, Capvisory invests an average of 600+ hours per mandate, allowing founders to focus on sales, product development, and hiring—a clear ROI.

“Advisors can add a lot of value when raising a round of capital, particularly at the later stages. Such advisors can help streamline the process by front-loading a lot of the diligence and preparation, allowing you to focus more closely on running the company.”

— Steve McDermid, Former Partner at Andreessen Horowitz

    • Risk: There are currently no reliable studies on failure rates for European startups after each funding stage. However, it is estimated that approximately one-third of startups fail after Series A. The definition of “failure” remains subjective, as even uneconomical exits are often presented as successes. From our perspective, the actual failure rate from an investor’s standpoint is likely even higher—particularly during the 2022–2024 period.

4. Series B: Scaling and Market Penetration

The Series B phase signifies the transition from product-market fit to aggressive scaling. Companies in this phase aim to achieve market dominance in their segment and lay the foundation for international expansion. Revenue growth and efficiency improvements are driven by expanding sales, marketing, and operational structures.

Professional management, well-established processes, and strong KPIs become increasingly critical to attract investors.

    • Focus: Market leadership in existing markets, expansion into new regions or industries (organically or via M&A), preparation for an exit (IPO, trade sale), or achieving sustainable profitability
    • Funding: Late-stage VCs, private equity investors, strategic partners, and debt financing
    • Valuation: Over €100M, often between €200M–€1B
    • Investment Ask: €10M–€200M, depending on expansion and M&A plans
    • Dilution: 5%–20%, depending on the startup’s negotiation leverage, market conditions, and financing structure
    • Team Size: 300–1,000+ employees, with highly specialized teams across departments
    • Metrics: Revenue >€30M, growth rate of 1.2x–2x, burn multiple <1.5, often achieving initial or sustained profitability
    • Should you work with a fundraising advisor? Yes, similar to Series A
    • Risk: Low risk of total loss. The main risks stem from regulatory changes, challenges in M&A integrations, or loss of market share.

5. Series C and Beyond: Maturity Phase

The Series C phase and subsequent funding rounds are highly individualized. As startups grow in size and maturity, general benchmarks become less relevant due to variations in industry, business models, and strategic goals.

Companies at this stage have an established market presence, significant revenues, and often pursue strategic objectives such as market dominance, M&A transactions, or an IPO.

    • Focus: Market leadership in existing markets, expansion into new regions or industries (organically or via M&A), preparation for an exit (IPO, trade sale), or achieving sustainable profitability
    • Funding: Growth funds, private equity investors, strategic partners, debt financing, or public markets (IPO)
    • Valuation: Over €180M, often between €200M–€3B
    • Investment Ask: €10M–€200M, depending on expansion and M&A plans
    • Dilution: 5%–20%, depending on negotiation leverage, market conditions, and financing structure
    • Team Size: 300–1,000+ employees, often with highly specialized teams across departments
    • Metrics: Revenue >€50M, growth rate of 1.2x–2x
    • Should you work with a fundraising advisor? Yes, similar to Series A
    • Risk: Low risk of total loss

Focus section: At what stage does it make sense for startups to engage M&A advisors?

At Capvisory, we operate as M&A advisors, so we cannot answer this question entirely objectively. However, many experienced entrepreneurs would agree that starting from Series A and beyond, there are compelling arguments for working with an M&A advisor:

    1. Access to a broader investor network: M&A advisors have extensive networks and can connect startups with investors they might not reach on their own. Especially in Series A rounds, a strategically diverse investor process is critical.
    2. Process optimization: Preparing pitch decks, financial models, and due diligence materials is highly time-consuming. An M&A advisor handles many of these tasks, allowing the founding team to focus on core business operations.
    3. Negotiation expertise: Negotiating valuation metrics, term sheets, and investor agreements can be complex. Advisors bring the experience needed to secure better terms and avoid potential pitfalls.
    4. Market expertise: M&A advisors understand current market dynamics and trends. They can help position the company optimally or identify alternative financing options.

Conclusion: Startup Funding Stages

Defining distinct funding stages with clear terms provides a general framework for orientation and improves communication among all stakeholders. Each stage demands tailored financing strategies and operational approaches. A solid understanding of the specific phase a startup is in helps streamline communication with stakeholders, particularly with potential investors.

Founders should regularly evaluate their funding needs and strategic priorities to ensure sustainable growth and long-term success.

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in fundraising, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

30+ handpicked consumer VCs that actively invest in 2025

Fundraising for consumer startups in 2025 is no easy task. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of over 30 handpicked venture capital firms that specialize in consumer-focused investments and are actively backing European consumer startups in 2025.

Capvisory Insights

Consumer Startups

30+ handpicked consumer VCs that actively invest in 2025

The specialized Berlin-based M&A boutique Capvisory supports startups in Seed and Series A funding rounds as well as in exit processes. In this content piece, we share our perspective on the current fundraising climate in the consumer segment.

Gründer und Partner

Gründer und Partner

In 2025, the fundraising landscape for consumer startups remains challenging. Week after week, new statistics emerge, highlighting just how tough the financing environment is for this segment.

In late 2023, Crunchbase published the alarming headline: “VCs No Longer Do DTC.” Unfortunately, the situation has barely improved since, and the outlook for 2025 shows little sign of relief.

Consumer startups navigate a difficult fundraising landscape

A brief note on terminology: Consumer startups are companies that sell products directly to end customers (B2C), often leveraging innovative business models and a strong focus on brand building. These startups operate in markets such as Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), Food & Beverage, Fitness, or E-commerce, using digital platforms to reach their target audience. Typical examples include brands like Glossier, Oatly, or Peloton.

The fundraising market for consumer startups has drastically changed since its peak in 2021 (in terms of funding volume). While investors back then heavily prioritized growth — with notable examples such as the German delivery service Gorillas — today’s focus has shifted towards profitable expansion. This strategic pivot led to a dramatic decline in funding for these companies: Between 2021 and 2023, investment volume to companies at the intersection of consumer products and E-commerce dropped by a staggering 97% (Source: Crunchbase). 

A recent analysis by Silicon Valley Bank revealed that, among the 100 most active VC firms, consumer investments accounted for just 6% of deals in 2024 — only half the share seen two years earlier. This decline highlights the long-term trend of the consumer segment steadily losing market share.

To what extent consumer tech can experience a renaissance with the current AI wave remains to be seen. James Currier, General Partner at VC firm NFX, offers an intriguing perspective on this topic: Consumer is Back – And Why It’s Been So Hard Since 2014.

 

In this challenging environment, consumer startups are understandably seeking new ways to grow more efficiently and diversify their funding sources. Many founders are extending the runway of existing financing rounds and focusing on organic growth strategies to enhance their appeal to investors. Despite the obstacles, opportunities to secure capital still exist—especially for startups with technically advanced concepts, above-average traction, such as the recently funded restaurant app NeoTaste, or experienced founders.

This is where our list of over 30 active and carefully selected venture capital investors comes in. The selection includes only VCs with a clearly defined commitment to the consumer sector and who have made at least one investment in the past 12 months (as of January 2025).

Venture capital investors actively backing consumer startups in 2025

🇺🇸

Early-stage consumer-only VC with a special interest in how people live, work, learn, play, eat, and stay healthy.

🇩🇪

Early-stage CVC focused on empowering the next generation of consumer centric entrepreneurs.

🇩🇪

CVC backed by ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE that focuses exclusively on B2C companies.

🇺🇸

VC with exclusive focus on consumer brands aligning the physical world with the digital. Initial ticket size: $5–$15 million.

🇫🇷

Pan-European VC investing in iconic and sustainable consumer brands. Series A or B; cheque size ranges from €2m-€10m.

🇬🇧

Early and growth-stage VC focusing on consumer brands, with investments ranging from $500k to $15m.

🇩🇪

Early-stage VC and Venture Studio backing innovative consumer brands and planetary and human health startups.

🇺🇸

New York-based VC firm investing in high-growth consumer companies.

🇩🇪

CVC of Hubert Burda Media, provides growth equity for digital technology, consumer & media companies.

🇬🇧

VC specializing in the intersection of Community, Branding and Tech. Invests from Seed to Series A rounds.

🇬🇧

VC that invests in Seed to Series A stage consumer brands raising between €500k and €5 million.

🇺🇸

VC that invests in Seed and Series A rounds in startups working on consumer technology.

🇧🇪

Founder-led VC fund investing in consumer revolutions. They invest $1-5M in pre-Series A and Series A rounds.

🇺🇸

Early-stage VC based in New York with a focus on various areas, including Consumer Internet.

🇺🇸

US-based VC focused on consumer health, and consumer goods, investing in Pre-Seed and Seed-stage rounds.

🇧🇪

Family-backed evergreen consumer investment company.

🇺🇸

VC investing at the intersection of culture and consumer invention, with $1M - $20M tickets across Seed to Series A.

🇩🇪

CVC of Mast-Jägermeister SE, investing in media, entertainment, and nightlife consumer startups.

🇩🇪

Seed to Series A VC with three focus areas: wellbeing, consumption, and productivity.

🇪🇪

Seed-stage VC focusing on European software startups with a consumer or community component.

🇫🇮

VC firm partnering with deep tech but also brand-driven consumer companies at Pre-seed and Seed stage.

🇫🇷

Early-stage VC that provides startups with financing and access to Asian markets, with prominent B2C portfolio brands.

🇬🇧

Invests growth capital in fast-growing consumer brands with sales between £5 million and £50 million.

🇩🇰

Venture & Growth Capital firm that focuses (primarily) on Nordic tech and lifestyle startups.

🇬🇧

VC fund with three core focus areas: a sustainable planet, empowering people, and revitalizing healthcare.

🇳🇴

Stratel AS is a family-owned investor focusing on "Fun, Sense, and Profit." They invest in Pre-Seed and Seed stages.

🇫🇷

A VC that invests between €2 and €10 million in consumer startups based in France, Europe, or the US.

🇱🇺

Family-owned investment company, backing consumer oriented teams and brands.

🇳🇱

VC fund that invests in the future of digital consumer life, from Seed stage and beyond, across Western Europe.

🇬🇧

VC focused on new, digitally-activated consumer goods brands (CPG) that have powerful mission-driven purposes.

🇬🇧

The CVC arm of CPG giant Unilever, focusing on the beauty and wellness category with a global investment strategy.

🇸🇪

Invests globally, from seed to growth, across three focus areas: sustainable fashion, new retail & commerce enablers.

🇩🇪

Invests in consumer health companies at Series A and B stages with a ticket size of €3-5 million.

🇬🇧

FIGR is a family office fund investing in early-stage consumer businesses with annual sales of less than £2 million.

🇺🇸

Invests $100k-$200k at Pre-Seed and Seed stages, with focus on women’s health & wealth.

🇬🇧

Focuses on Pre-Seed to Series A, investing up to £2m initially, with a focus on Consumer, Retail and Sustainability.

🇫🇷

Consumer VC investing in startups driving cultural shifts & behavioral change, with a special focus on Gen Z and AI disruption.

 

Conclusion


Fundraising for consumer startups is no easy task these days. If you’re looking for investors, feel free to reach out to us. At Capvisory, we don’t just assist consumer startups with fundraising or exit processes; we also provide a quick, well-founded assessment of whether fundraising is likely to succeed in your specific case.

P.S. At Capvisory, we’re constantly searching for relevant funds to keep our internal database — featuring over 20,000 investors from around the world — up to date. This tool allows us to achieve the best possible fundraising results for our clients. If you know of an active consumer VC that we should add to the list, let us know.

If you’re interested in the latest funds with dry powder, check out our monthly Fund Tracker.

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in fundraising, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

A/B testing for cold outreach to venture capital investors

Cold outreach remains a relevant way to connect with venture capital investors in 2024 – even without an extensive network. In our article, we share best practices based on recent mandates to help founders get the most out of their outreach efforts.

Capvisory Insights

Cold Outreach in Fundraising Processes

Startup Fundraising: A/B Testing Response Rates Across Investor Target Groups (VC)

The specialized Berlin-based M&A boutique Capvisory supports startups in late-seed and Series A financing rounds. In this expert article, we share our practical experience.

Gründer und Partner

Gründer und Partner

Targeted Outreach in M&A and Startup Fundraising

In M&A processes, and particularly in startup fundraising, targeted outreach to financial investors is a core task. While we at Capvisory, like many founders, prefer to leverage warm networks due to their higher success rates, these networks are often not enough to identify a sufficiently large pool of potential investors. At that point, cold outreach becomes indispensable for many startups seeking to secure suitable capital providers.

Founders frequently approach us with two key questions related to the response and call rates of investors:

    1. Should founders focus on contacting senior investment team members, such as fund partners, principals, or investment directors, or should they target junior fund staff, like analysts or associates?
    2. How effective are alternative channels, such as contact forms on websites or central dealflow email addresses like deals@vcfund.com?

To address these questions, we have been analyzing extensive data from our live projects for years. Below, we share the results of our analysis of current mandates from 2025 to help founders maximize the effectiveness of their cold outreach efforts.


Methodology: Analyzing Outreach Channels

To answer these questions systematically, we analyzed data from current fundraising mandates in Capvisory’s impact sector. In total, over 1,300 venture capital contacts were approached through cold outreach, providing a solid foundation for our findings.

The outreach channels analyzed (with roles varying slightly across funds) included:

    • Senior Investment Team: Members of senior management, such as managing partners, investment directors, and principals.
    • (Junior) Investment Team: Roles like analysts, associates, investment managers, and similar positions.
    • Dealflow Email Addresses: Specific addresses for inbound dealflow, such as deals@vcxyz.com.
    • Contact Forms: Forms hosted on investors’ websites, such as Typeform.

In addition to tracking the response rate—the percentage of replies to outreach—we also measured the call rate, which reflects the ratio of investors contacted to pitch calls scheduled.


Results of the Analysis

Overall, the data revealed a response rate of over 30% for cold outreach (compared to fundraising benchmarks of 3-20%) and a call rate of 5-15% (benchmarks: 0.5-3%).

Seniors and Juniors Perform Similarly

Our analysis showed that the response rates for senior and junior team members were nearly identical. Contrary to expectations, “the higher the rank, the better the response” does not seem to hold true.

However, junior team members slightly outperformed seniors when it came to call rates. This suggests that juniors, often acting as the first point of contact, are more available and responsible for introductory calls. Senior team members, on the other hand, are typically more involved in later decision-making stages.

Generic Email Addresses Perform Worst

Unsurprisingly, generic email addresses like deals@vcxyz.com performed the worst for both response and call rates. This is likely because such emails are routed to general inboxes, where they are deprioritized or not forwarded to the relevant decision-makers.

Contact Forms as the Most Effective Channel

Surprisingly, contact forms outperformed all other channels in both response and call rates. These forms not only generated replies but also successfully led to pitch calls.

This result is unexpected, as contact forms are often seen as impersonal and less effective at creating a direct connection than tailored emails or phone calls.

One possible explanation is that well-structured forms, especially at larger VCs, are tied to clearly defined and efficient internal processes. These systems ensure that inquiries are systematically reviewed and promptly forwarded to the appropriate decision-makers. This streamlines internal workflows and increases the likelihood of receiving a response.

Venture Capital Fundraising Cold Outreach Benchmark

Conclusions and Recommendations

    1. Nothing Beats Warm Outreach
      Personal connections almost always guarantee a response, and the likelihood of securing an intro call increases significantly. Warm outreach should therefore always be the preferred strategy when engaging with potential investors.
    2. Personalized Cold Outreach Still Works
      The good news for founders without a vast network of VC investors: cold outreach remains effective in 2025. However, it requires thorough research and highly personalized messaging to resonate with the target investors.
    3. Use Contact Forms When Available
      Our data reveals that contact forms are, in fact, the most effective channel for cold outreach to venture capital investors, both in terms of response rate and securing intro calls. Startups should not overlook this option during outreach efforts. However, it’s important to note that not all VCs provide contact forms. In 2024, only about 1 in 7 investors offer such forms.
    4. Prioritize Reaching Out to Partners When Possible
      Our analysis shows that senior and junior team members achieve comparable response and call rates. However, partners are often the ultimate decision-makers. Direct outreach to partners increases the likelihood of connecting with key players rather than getting stuck at the junior level. In the worst-case scenario, your inquiry will be forwarded to the junior team anyway. For this reason, partners should be prioritized in cold outreach.

      That said, these messages must be highly personalized. Take time to understand the fund’s investment thesis and explore potential synergies within their portfolio. Bonus tip: portfolio companies can also serve as a warm introduction channel.

    5. Generic Email Addresses as a Last Resort
      Generic email addresses should only be used if no direct contacts are available. Their efficiency is significantly lower compared to other outreach methods.

Conclusion

Structured cold outreach remains an essential part of most fundraising processes, especially in venture capital. Our findings highlight the channels most likely to generate responses and lead to intro calls.

While these results are not universally applicable, startups, M&A advisors, and CFOs can leverage this data to optimize their outreach strategies and maximize their chances of success.

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in fundraising, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing tech companies and their investors.

The typical Series-A fundraising process for startups

Discover best practices for navigating the Series-A fundraising process with insights from Capvisory, a Berlin-based M&A boutique. Learn essential steps, strategies, and tips to successfully prepare and engage investors for your startup’s next funding round.

Capvisory Insights

Preparing for your Series-A round

Best Practice: The Series-A Fund­raising Process

The specialized Berlin-based M&A boutique Capvisory supports startups in Seed and Series-A funding rounds. In this article, we share our practical insights from recent funding rounds in Germany.

Gründer und Partner

Gründer und Partner

The fundraising process for startups is challenging and consistently ranks among the biggest hurdles founders must overcome. In this insights article, we provide an overview of the typical steps involved in a capital raise in Germany or the DACH region. As a founder, you can use these steps as a checklist for your own round.

Disclaimer: The process varies from company to company, but to reduce complexity, we present only a simplified, standardized outline here.

Exemplary Fundraising Process, Analysing the company and defining objectives, Development of the fundraising strategy
Typically, the process leading to a funding round involves 12 steps. Below, we provide a brief overview of each of these steps.

1. Company Analysis and Goal Setting

Before the actual fundraising begins, a company analysis is essential. During this phase, founders evaluate the current key metrics of the company and set clear objectives for the capital raise.

Startup Seed und Series A Benchmarks
Please use these KPIs only as a rough guideline to position your startup. Benchmarks can vary significantly depending on factors such as country, industry, and stage. Data source: XAnge Series-A Blueprint.

How much capital is needed, and which milestones should be achieved with it? Is venture capital truly the right form of financing, or would alternatives such as debt financing or crowdfunding be more suitable? Is the company ready to present itself to external investors?

These questions form the foundation of the entire fundraising process and are critical to the success of the funding round.

2. Development of the Fundraising Strategy

Once the current state of the company is analyzed and goals are defined, the fundraising strategy can be developed. The focus for this article is on venture capital financing, although alternative options should also be considered in the initial phase.

Venture capital investors review hundreds of companies annually, evaluating factors such as market attractiveness, competition, go-to-market strategy, the founding team, the skillsets, first hires, and so on. For more innovative products, the product idea takes center stage, whereas for other business models, execution and existing traction are key. A successful fundraising strategy hinges on a profound understanding of the company. It’s essential to present insight effectively, and to craft a compelling equity story that resonates with potential investors.

It’s also crucial to have an in-depth understanding of the VC industry and the mindset of investors. Familiarity with concepts like the venture capital power law, the relationship between a fund and its limited partners, as well as the internal structures and hierarchies of funds, is essential at least at a basic level.

A core component is defining the right target group of investors:

    • What type of venture capital is suitable for your company? (e.g., venture capital funds, corporate venture capital, private equity)
    • What stage of funding is your startup in? (Seed, Series A, Series B)
    • In which “vertical” is your company active? (e.g., fintech, climate tech, deep tech)

Timing is also critical: raise funds only when you are truly ready and can build momentum, such as through company progress or favorable market conditions. Plan for a period of 6–9 months from the start of the fundraising process to the final transfer of funds. Often, at least one founder works full-time on securing funding. Early involvement of lawyers, tax advisors, and potentially M&A advisors can also be valuable.

Tip: Have you ever wondered which month of the year is the best to approach investors? Check out our article: The Best Timing for Fundraising.

3. Creating the Investor Package (Pitch Deck, Financial Plan)

A pitch deck and financial plan are critical for successfully engaging investors. The pitch deck serves as a “teaser,” succinctly presenting the business idea in an engaging manner to spark interest.

The financial plan provides more depth, presenting detailed historical figures, how the raised capital will be allocated, and the future assumptions the team has made.

Note: The value of an investment memo is often debated. Some founders swear by it, while others find it unnecessary. In our opinion, it can be a helpful supporting document, especially for more complex businesses, but it’s not essential to complete a funding round.

4.Setting Up the Data Room for Due Diligence

Once initial discussions with investors begin, having a well-structured data room is essential. This should include all documents investors need for due diligence, such as financial statements, legal documents, contracts, and other sensitive information.

A well-maintained data room streamlines the review process and fosters trust. Ideally, the data room should be prepared before reaching out to investors so you can respond promptly when interest arises.

5. Researching Suitable Investors

The next step is identifying specific investors within your chosen categories. Thorough research is key. Here are a few typical questions to ask yourself during the research process:

    • Which investors are active in your industry and region?
    • Which investors are engaged in your startup’s development stage (e.g., Seed or Series A)?
    • Which investors have made investments in the past 12 months?
    • What are the investor’s typical ticket sizes?
    • Who is in charge within the investor’s team for startups in your niche?

Ideally, you already have investors in your network whom you can approach “warm.” If not, and if time permits, attending conferences, networking events, and similar gatherings can be worthwhile to connect with VCs and build relationships before the fundraising phase.

For cold outreach, you can create your own long list, use free online directories (e.g., OpenVC), leverage paid tools such as Pitchbook (quite expensive!) or AddedVal (particularly for business angels), or hire a professional dealmaker or M&A advisor.

At Capvisory, for instance, we maintain an in-house, continuously updated database of over 20,000 investors—from established venture capital funds to lesser-known strategic investors. By closely monitoring relevant funding rounds across Europe, we ensure that we have comprehensive, well-researched investor lists for every industry.

6. Crafting Personalized Outreach Messages

Investors value personalized outreach. Standardized messages are generally insufficient. Instead, each potential investor should be addressed individually. Investors want to see that you have taken the time to understand their unique investment thesis and recognize synergies within their portfolio. This significantly boosts your chances.

blurb ansprache investoren venture capital
Example of how the start of a blurb draft might look: Each year, best practices evolve, so it’s valuable to connect with friendly investors, advisors, or fellow founders to gather insights and feedback.

Tip: The best outreach is warm, meaning you already know the investor. This significantly increases the likelihood that they will review your company favorably. However, since most founders do not have an extensive network of VC investors, many ultimately resort to cold outreach. Still, as mentioned earlier, attending conferences and startup events is valuable for building your network and getting to know investors personally.

 

7. Reaching Out to the Investor Funnel

Once all preparations are complete, the active outreach begins. This involves building an investor funnel (similar to a CRM) that enables systematic and efficient contact with investors. The funnel helps track the progress of the fundraising process and ensures that no potential investor is overlooked. Sound familiar to sales? Indeed, investor outreach shares many similarities with a traditional sales process.

For the CRM, you can use ready-made tools or create a custom Excel solution. At Capvisory, for example, we have developed a CRM for founders that is automatically linked to our database of over 20,000 investors and is used for each mandate.

Tip: Cold outreach often means diving into uncharted waters. Most VCs strive to create a positive experience for founders, but there are occasional negative experiences, such as ghosting. Has this happened to you? Check out our article: How Founders Can Professionally Handle Being Ghosted by Investors.

finanzierungsrunde crm
Investor CRM Dashboard of a German B2B SaaS Startup in Airtable

8. Information Exchange with Interested Investors

Investors who express interest typically request additional information. At this stage, it is crucial to respond quickly and accurately. A smooth flow of information builds investor trust and speeds up the decision-making process.

There’s an anecdote about Sam Altman, who, during his tenure as President of Y Combinator, measured founders’ response times to gauge whether someone was a “great or mediocre founder.” You can find the full article here: Sam Altman tracked how quickly people responded to his texts and emails.

9. Negotiating 2–3 Indicative Offers

The goal should be to secure multiple term sheets from potential lead investors. This creates momentum and allows you to negotiate the terms with leverage. Negotiations can become complex if you lack experience in this area.

While established VC investors typically act fairly due to their vested interest in your long-term success, smaller players might behave differently. It’s advisable to have an experienced entrepreneur by your side or seek support from a specialized lawyer or M&A advisor.

10. Signing the Term Sheets

Signing the term sheet is a significant milestone. It is a non-binding letter of intent that outlines the main terms of the investment and must be negotiated carefully. The term sheet forms the basis for drafting the final investment agreements.

In the industry, there is a belief that reputable, professional investors rarely back out of a term sheet unless due diligence uncovers red flags. The probability of closing the deal increases significantly with the signing of the term sheet.

11. Conducting Due Diligence

Following the term sheet’s signing, the due diligence phase begins. During this period, investors thoroughly review all critical aspects of your company, from financials and legal documents to operational structures. This process ensures that the company meets expectations and there are no hidden risks.

As previously mentioned, you should ideally have the data room for due diligence prepared before your investors request access. If you only start assembling it now, significant delays can easily occur due to missing documents that your investor wants to review.

12. Drafting Final Agreements and Signing

Once due diligence is complete, the final investment agreements are drafted (sometimes this happens in parallel to the DD). This step finalizes all details of the investment. After negotiations and the signing at the notary, the initial payment of share capital by investors typically follows within a few days. In some funding rounds, investors transfer both the share capital and the remaining payment into the capital reserve in one lump sum, making the funds available within 1–2 weeks after signing.

However, it is more common for the share capital to be transferred first while waiting for registration with the commercial register. Once the register is updated, investors transfer the remaining amount. Since updating the commercial register can sometimes take longer (in Germany), it may be several weeks before founders have the full amount in their account. Once the complete capital is received, the fundraising process is successfully concluded.

Capvisory is an independent, founder-led advisory boutique specializing in funding rounds, sell-side M&A, and buy-side M&A for fast-growing companies and their investors.

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