Last month, Sifted published its list of the most active pre-seed investors in Europe. These are the funds writing the first cheque, often before there is a product, a pitch deck or — in some cases — even a company. The article highlights how these investors are navigating early-stage uncertainty, backing founders at the idea stage with minimal traction.
Despite the high risk, they remain optimistic about Europe's innovation potential, particularly in deep tech, climate, and AI-driven solutions. Several funds emphasized sector-agnostic approaches, prioritizing team resilience and vision over current metrics. One investor noted they look for 'founders who can learn fast and adapt,' while another stressed the importance of 'mission-driven teams tackling real problems.' The piece also touches on fund sizes, with some managing €50M–€150M vehicles and writing checks between €250K and €1M.
Geographic focus remains broad, though there is growing interest in emerging hubs beyond London, Berlin, and Paris. The investors collectively signal a continued appetite for bold, early bets, even as macroeconomic pressures linger. Their confidence stems from belief in Europe's talent pool and increasing support for early-stage ecosystems through government initiatives and corporate venture arms.
Source: Sifted · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing