Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: July 24, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

VC Exodus and Startup Salaries

A notable trend has emerged with fourteen venture capital investors making the switch to join startups, signaling a shift in the private equity landscape. This movement coincides with European startups offering increasingly competitive remuneration packages. Specifically, companies in sectors like artificial intelligence, dual-use technology, and spacetech are emerging as new leaders in debt funding, reflecting investor appetite for high-growth, innovative areas. Some startups are even offering salaries upwards of €150,000 for senior roles, contributing to the attractiveness of joining these ventures.