Top 10 Most Active VC firms in Europe 2022

One of the most significant events of the last decade was an outbreak that became a global pandemic. This tragedy occurred during a year of particularly good economic conditions across all geographic areas. The United States, Europe, and Asia exhibited gross domestic product increases that far outpaced those in previous years, while stock markets benefited from favourable fiscal conditions and monetary policy that allowed initial public offerings to thrive.

According to the statistics, European venture capital is becoming increasingly successful and active. In a recent set of conferences where venture capitalists gathered to address the future of VC in Europe, some major investment areas within the region were brought to light: for example, gaming as well as clean technology, B2B Software , digital health, and big data. Considering that there is a combination of VC investors as well as investors from other sources such as universities and research centres within these innovation ecosystems, one can easily say that this will draw both investors as well as highly skilled talent into the mix creating an awesome and innovative idea machine.

Aside from these skyrocketing VC stats, Ventroduce has identified the top active VC firms in Europe for 2021 by number of investments made.

MOST ACTIVE VC FIRMS IN EUROPE 2022

Global Founders Capital, Berlin

GFC is a globally oriented stage agnostic venture fund that empowers gifted entrepreneurs. They back companies from pre-seed, seed and throughout the entire lifecycle. From day zero to all the stages of growth, they support founders through an online platform. Global Founders Capital has backed entrepreneurs from series seed to IPO on all continents.

In 2021, Global Founders Capital has made about 864 investments. Their most recent investment was on Jul 7, 2022, when Ranger Insurance raised $5.3M.

Hiventures, Budapest

Hiventures, Budapest Hiventures’ mission is to support the innovative ideas of established startups and innovative businesses. They also focus on strengthening the entrepreneurial culture and protecting the values of its community. With their new investment programs, the company aims to endorse and mentor young entrepreneurs’ ideas, thus contributing to the growth of a sustainable and developing startup ecosystem.

Last year, Hiventures made 757 investments with 33 lead investments. Their most recent investment was on Apr 24, 2022 , when Sweet City raised €1M.

High-Tech Gründerfonds

The establishment of the High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) was the product of a working group of representatives from the Federal Ministry of Economics, and industry and sector experts in 2005. Their goal was to revive the market for start-up financing, which was dormant. Following the burst of the New Economy bubble, seed phase financing almost came to a complete standstill owing to the high risks involved. Then, as of now, the focus of the initiative was on high-tech start-ups with significant growth potential, with whether the HTGF should invest in a start-up being made on market criteria.

The HTGF is the most outstanding example of a successful public-private partnership. With their funds, investors, and commitment, they contribute to the consistent development of the start-up ecosystem in Germany and across Europe.

The HTGF has around 900 million euros under the management of its three funds. The share of private companies has increased from fund to fund. Currently, 33 companies are invested in HTGF III. Their share in the fund is over 30 percent. As a result, HTGF III can act as flexibly as private funds.

High-Tech Grunderfonds has made 749 investments . Their most recent investment was on Jul 7, 2022 , when DeepSkill was raised.

Holtzbrinck Ventures, Munich

HV Capital is a venture capital firm that supports founders in developing their internet companies. It is a Munich- and Berlin-based venture capital firm that supports founders in developing their internet companies. Since 2000 HV Capital, formerly HV Holtzbrinck Ventures, has invested in Internet and technology companies through various generations of funds and is one of the most successful and financially strongest early-stage and growth investors in Europe. HV Capital has already invested in around 200 companies, including Zalando, Delivery Hero, FlixMobility and SumUp. The total of all HV Funds amounts to €1.7 billion. The company supports startups with capital between €500,000 and €50 million. This makes HV Capital one of the few venture capitalists in Europe that can finance startups through all growth phases.

HV Capital has made 382 investments . Their most recent investment was on Jun 27, 2022 , when simpleclub raised €7.2M.

Par Equity, Edinburgh

Par Equity is a leading, early-stage venture capital firm, investing in innovative, high growth technology companies. Founded in 2008, Par Equity is a venture capital firm that backs the most innovative, high growth technology companies in the North of the UK. Based in Edinburgh, Par invests across Northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Key to their success is the distinctive hybrid investment model. They have combined their discretionary in managing funds with the skills, expertise and contacts of the Par Investor Network. Their network is consists of a large and engaged pool of investors and mentors with a track record of founding, growing and selling companies, who can add value throughout the investment life cycle.

This modern investment strategy, helps bridge the experience of angel investors with the professionalism and rigour of an experienced venture capital fund manager. That’s a force multiplier for Par Equity growth, delivering better outcomes for the investors and the entrepreneurs.

Par Equity has made
364 investments. Their most recent investment was on
Jun 21, 2022, when Aveni raised £2.8M.

Seedcamp, London

Seedcamp is Europe’s seed fund, identifying and investing early in world-class founders attacking large, global markets and solving real problems using technology.

The Seedcamp Nation includes over 440 startups building breakout businesses that change how people live, interact and buy. Their portfolio includes publicly listed UiPath, Wise, and unicorns Revolut, Hopin, Sorare, Pleo, wefox, Grover, and viz.ai along with fast-growing businesses such as Ezra, THIS and Synthesia.

Seedcamp fast-tracks a founder’s vision and creates value through immediate access to smart capital, a lifelong community of support, and a global network built upon more than a decade’s experience backing exceptional talent.

Seedcamp has made 491 investments. Their most recent investment was on Jul 6, 2022, when Baserow raised €5M.

Northstar Ventures, Newcastle upon Tyne

Northstar is a venture capital firm with over £100m under management, investing in high-growth industries. Northstar Ventures is a venture capital firm based in the North East of England. They invest in innovative, high-growth businesses and social enterprises across the region. They are dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with the support they need to fulfill their ambitions and achieve social impact through investments.

Northstar Ventures has made 488 investments. Their most recent investment was on Apr 21, 2022, when Amlo Biosciences raised £2.5M.

Partech, Paris

Partech is a technology venture firm that invests in seed, venture, and growth stages. Born in San Francisco and Paris, Partech is one of the most active tech investors in the world, bringing together capital, operational experience, and strategic support for entrepreneurs at seed, venture, and growth stages.

The current portfolio includes 200+ companies in 38 countries, of which 16 are valued at more than $1B: Alan, Jellysmack, ManoMano, Marama, People.ai, Rohlik, SellerX, Sorare, Toss, Wave, Xendit, Zepz. The firm brings together capital and resources to support entrepreneurs at all stages in Europe and North America, with a growing presence in Africa and Asia.

Partech has made 485 investments. Their most recent investment was on Jul 6, 2022, when Orus raised €5M.

Speedinvest, Vienna

Speedinvest, one of the most active Seed investors in European tech unicorns, has more than €600m in AUM and 40+ investors based in Berlin, London, Munich, Paris, and Vienna.

Our dedicated sector-focused teams are the first to fund Europe’s most innovative technology startups and our in-house Platform+ operational experts are on-hand to offer founders ongoing support with growth, people (HR), US market expansion, and more throughout every stage of their journeys.

Wefox, Bitpanda, TIER Mobility, GoStudent, Wayflyer, Open, CoachHub, Schüttflix, TourRadar, Adverity, and TWAICE are among our portfolio of 250+ companies.

Speedinvest has made 358 investments. Their most recent investment was on Jul 12, 2022, when Milano Vice raised €5.9M.

Octopus ventures, london

Octopus is a multi stage European venture capital investor specializing in health, Fintech, deep tech, B2B software and consumer. They are for the people and ideas that are willing to change the world. Octopus lives by the mantra, ” You can build a better tomorrow by investing in it”

Octopus Ventures back Founders at every stage of their journey, from ideas on a page through to IPO. Each year they deploy more than £200 million across five areas where they see maximum potential for impact: health, Fintech, deep tech, consumer and B2B software.

Octopus ventures investment is about more than money. Being truly invested is about giving time, energy and focus; working with founders to give them the best chance of success. It means a shared commitment to solving the big problems that matter” says Octopus ventures.

They have backed the ManyPets, Cazoo, Depop, Elvie and WaveOptics, while others have gone on to join forces with the world’s largest businesses.

Octopus Ventures has made 329 investments. Their most recent investment was on Jul 13, 2022, when Oto Health raised £2.8M.

Final verdict

We used a range of factors to come up with our top 10 seed investors list. However the ranking is based on the number of investments made. These factors include but aren’t limited to, an investor’s approachability, professionalism, and position of supportiveness.

In the future, as Ventroduce grows, based on the market demand and standards the factors and threshold may change.