Balderton Capital, one of Europe’s foremost technology venture capital firms, has announced the launch of its €563 million Early Stage Fund IX and €627 million Growth Fund II. These funds are aimed at supporting Europe’s most ambitious entrepreneurs from the seed stage all the way through to IPO.
“At Balderton, we believe the best way to change the world is to build a business – and that many of these world-changing businesses will be built in Europe,” said Bernard Liautaud, Managing Partner at Balderton. “As a firm, our mission is simple: to be the partner of choice to the founders starting and growing those European technology companies. These new funds put us in a position to do just that.”
The announcement of Early Stage Fund IX and Growth Fund II marks the first time Balderton has raised both early and growth funds simultaneously, reflecting the strong demand from investors. The increasingly global mix of limited partners (LPs) in Balderton’s funds have been drawn to the firm’s European focus and its track record of success over its 25-year history.
The European technology ecosystem has grown significantly, generating strong returns for investors. European venture capital funds have outperformed their North American counterparts over both 10 and 15-year periods, according to data from Invest Europe and Cambridge Associates.
Europe has become a key hub for global technology, with notable successes across various sectors and countries. In recent years, Europe has emerged as a leader in AI, with innovation centers in London and Paris. The region’s success is attributed to world-class institutions, top-tier engineering talent, a growing entrepreneurial culture, a mature funding ecosystem, and the rise of third and fourth-generation founders.
Since its inception in 2000, Balderton has invested in over 275 technology companies across Europe. Its current portfolio includes global leaders like Revolut, Dream Games, GoCardless, Contentful, Aircall, Wayve, Writer, and PhotoRoom. The firm has also seen successful exits from companies such as Darktrace, Depop, MySQL, Peakon, Recorded Future, Talend, and THG. Balderton’s investment history spans multiple technology sectors, including AI, fintech, B2B SaaS, digital health, mobility, gaming, and marketplaces.
In addition to financial backing, Balderton provides hands-on support through its investment team, who bring invaluable operational and entrepreneurial experience. The firm also offers a platform with experts in legal, finance, talent, marketing, and sustainability. Additionally, a community of over 700 European technology executives from Balderton’s portfolio companies provides peer support, networking opportunities, and events.
With 65 team members spread across Europe, nearly €1.2 billion in new funds, and a strong portfolio of more than 125 companies, Balderton Capital is poised to continue its work of partnering with Europe’s top entrepreneurs to build world-changing companies.
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