List of the 1,000 largest European Venture Capital Investors [2024]

List of 5 large European venture capital investors

European venture capital investors drive innovation by funding high-growth startups, particularly in technology, life sciences, and renewable energy. Concentrated in hubs like London, Berlin, and Paris, they provide not only financial support but also strategic expertise and global networks. Their diverse focus, ranging from pan-European firms to specialized niche investors, fosters innovation and growth across industries and regions. Below, we list five leading investors.

1. Atomico (United Kingdom)

Atomico is a London-based venture capital firm that operates with a mission-driven approach, believing that entrepreneurs are the catalysts for transformative societal and economic change. Focused on fostering growth beyond financial returns, Atomico collaborates with innovators who aim to reshape industries and create meaningful, sustainable impact through technology. Its investments span across 15 countries, with a portfolio of 155 partnerships. Remarkably, one in six portfolio companies has achieved valuations exceeding $1 billion, collectively creating over 35,000 jobs.

Update 2024: Atomico has announced the successful closure of a $1.24 billion (approximately €1.12 billion) fundraising round, the largest in its history. A significant portion of the capital, $754 million (approximately €681 million), will be allocated to Atomico Growth VI, a fund specifically designed to support entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses from Series B to pre-IPO stages

2. Balderton Capital (United Kingdom)

For over 24 years, Balderton Capital has been a cornerstone of the European tech ecosystem, empowering founders to scale their businesses globally. With $5.7 billion raised to date, the London-based firm invests across the full company lifecycle, from seed to IPO, and has backed over 250 companies since 2000. Balderton’s deep understanding of the European market, coupled with a robust network and local presence in key hubs like Paris and Berlin, enables the firm to offer unparalleled support to entrepreneurs. Headquartered in a vibrant startup hub near King’s Cross, London, Balderton combines its strategic expertise with close proximity to Europe’s most innovative founders.

3. Target Global (Germany)

Target Global is a pan-European venture capital firm with a mission to drive growth by investing in transformative technologies that make a positive global impact. With over €3 billion in assets under management, the firm has supported visionary entrepreneurs since its inception in 2012, fostering innovation and empowering change across industries. Its portfolio includes notable investments such as Delivery Hero, a global leader in online food delivery, and Revolut, a fintech pioneer offering advanced banking services. Other standout investments include Auto1 Group, Europe’s largest digital automotive platform, Rapyd, a global payments network, and Flink, a rapid grocery delivery service redefining convenience shopping. Cazoo, an online car retailing giant, further highlights Target Global’s commitment to backing companies reshaping traditional industries.

4. Index Ventures (United Kingdom)

Index Ventures, a leading venture capital firm with dual headquarters in London and San Francisco, has been instrumental in fostering innovation across Europe. Since its inception in 1996, the firm has raised approximately €11.7 billion in assets under management, supporting entrepreneurs from seed stages to IPOs. The firm’s diverse portfolio includes investments in companies such as Figma, Revolut, Roblox, Scale AI, Notion, and Wiz, reflecting its commitment to backing transformative technology ventures. In July 2024, Index Ventures announced the successful closure of $2.3 billion in new funds, with $800 million dedicated to early-stage startups and $1.5 billion allocated for growth and late-stage companies.

5. Northzone (Sweden)

Established in 1996, Northzone is a venture capital firm that partners with founders from seed to growth stages across Europe and the U.S. With over 175 investments to date, Northzone has demonstrated resilience through various market cycles. In September 2022, the company raised €1 billion to continue supporting innovative entrepreneurs. Northzone’s diverse portfolio includes notable companies such as Spotify, a leading music streaming service, Klarna, a prominent fintech company, and Personio, an HR software provider. The firm emphasizes operating on principles rather than rigid investment theses, and stands firmly behind the entrepreneurs it supports to foster their success.

Columns included in our list

You can get an overview of the largest European Venture Capital Investors through our list. In detail, the list offers the most important data points to get in touch with the most important pension plan providers:

• Name of the VC fund
• Country of origin
• URL
• E-mail (general)
• Investment focus (if data available)
• Corporate VC (yes/no)

Picture source:  Alexander