EUVC Newsletter | 17.02.2025
Welcome to our community-sourced newsletter featuring the most important news from the European venture ecosystem and the latest submissions to the EUVC insights platform — the platform that collects & amplifies the best long-form pieces from the EUVC community.
Click here to submit your own articles, events or projects 📥
EUVC | Last seats available for VC Fund Finance Masterclass ⏰
There is no straight line to go through fund financing. You need a process to choose the right type of financing for your fund and navigate the hundreds of players (all with different regulations). What works for a fund might not work for yours, and that’s why we invited one of the best in the industry to help you nail this topic.
With over 20 years of experience in Private Markets, James Rock Perring helped fund managers, PE firms, and investors secure financing exceeding €1.3B across subscription lines, portfolio financing, and GP financing. Now, he is bringing these insights to our next masterclass.
Here’s what Joe Schorge from Isomer Capital had to say about working with James.
💬 Survey | Are you investing in European startups or scale-ups? Your voice matters!
Benoit Vandevivere from EU/acc is gathering investor insights on how to streamline corporate formalities (e.g., online filing, faster registrations, and optional notaries) and reduce bureaucracy across Europe. Your feedback will help shape policy discussions with the European Commission and institutions. Join the effort to modernize Europe’s business environment and improve its competitiveness!
Please take 2 minutes to complete the “Accelerating Europe” survey.
🎙 Podcast | This Week in European Tech with Dan Bowyer, Mads Jensen, Lomax Ward and Andrew J. Scott
Why it matters: On the AI front, the France AI Summit sparked debate, with the UK and US declining to sign an EU-backed ethical AI framework, signaling a shift towards closer UK-US alignment on AI policy. Meanwhile, DeepSeek’s breakthrough model is shaking up the AI race, and Mistral’s “Le Chat” launch demonstrated Europe's potential in AI but raised concerns over market positioning and execution.
The discussion also touched on the UK's economic struggles, with 0.1% GDP growth and a slow trickle-down effect of rate cuts. Calls for AI-driven government efficiency were made to unlock cost savings, reinvest in growth, and improve public services. The episode ended on a high note with Tines (Ireland) becoming a unicorn, deep tech funding rounds in fusion energy, and Latent Labs’ $50M Series A, signaling strong investor confidence in Europe’s deep tech and AI sectors.
Join us on February 19th in London for How to Web’s Venture in Eastern Europe 2024 Report launch! Discover key trends, successful startups, and venture capital insights across 19 Eastern European countries. Apply now to be part of this exclusive event!
⏰ Event | The Annual LDV Vision Summit
Since 2014, the Annual LDV Vision Summit has been the premier global event for visual tech and AI, featuring top speakers from tech giants, innovative startups, esteemed research labs, and leading VC firms.
This year’s lineup includes experts from Sequoia Capital, NVIDIA, Synthesia (the UK’s most valuable generative AI media company and global leader in enterprise AI video), Kleiner Perkins, Princeton, Fortune, Duke, Argonne National Laboratory, and more!
RSVP to join 1,000+ attendees and discover how cutting-edge computer vision, machine learning and AI solutions will improve the world we live in.
📝 Article | Mobile apps in 2024
Why it matters: Despite all the talk of app fatigue, usage and spending are up. In-app revenue grew +13% YoY, with non-gaming apps leading at +25%. Users averaged 7 unique apps (+9% YoY), proving there’s still room for new entrants. Health & fitness apps remain tiny compared to gaming & social, but they’re showing strong LTV and higher spend—albeit with higher refund rates.
Meanwhile, AI chatbots had the biggest download surge (+0.6B). For VCs, this signals two clear plays: niche verticals like health & fitness are still under-monetized, and AI-native apps are the new land grab.
🎙Podcast | General Catalyst’s Juliet Bailin on VC behavior and why venture needs a self-awareness reset
Why it matters: In today’s episode of the EUVC Podcast, Andreas talks with Juliet Bailin, Partner at General Catalyst, to explore the firm’s expansion in Europe, investment philosophy, and unique approach to venture capital. General Catalyst, known for backing companies like Stripe, Samsara, Livongo, and Mistral, operates with a global mindset while maintaining a deep commitment to early-stage investing.
Juliet calls out common bad investor behaviors, from ghosting founders to exploding term sheets, and explains why overvaluing companies for ego reasons ultimately hurts founders the most. She also shares how General Catalyst ensures transparency in decision-making and why long-term relationships—not just transactional networks—are key to success.
📝 Article | Charles Stanley Female Founders 2024
Why it matters: The Charles Stanley Female Founders 2024 report provides an analysis of the landscape for women-led businesses in the UK. It examines the impact of female founders, their contributions to the economy, and the barriers they continue to face—particularly in securing equity investment.
While women-led businesses drive innovation and economic growth, they continue to battle industry biases and limited access to capital. For VCs, this is both a wake-up call and an opportunity: the talent is there, but the funding isn’t. Who’s ready to back the other half of the market?
📝 Article | Investing in the re-architecture of critical industries
Why it matters: Sam Cash has been investing in critical industries for over ten years. Delian (autonomous systems for defence), Compass (infrastructure for real estate) and Quix (an event-driven data engineering platform for building real-time apps) are just a few of his notable investments at the intersection of software and physical industries.
In this interview with Underline Ventures, he shares his perspective on the shifting landscape of European manufacturing, the growing role of AI and software in industrial transformation, and the qualities he looks for in founders.
🎙Podcast | Aurum Impact’s Miki Yokoyama on how family offices invest in venture and impact
Why it matters: In today’s episode, Andreas talks with Miki Yokoyama, Managing Director of Aurum Impact, the impact investment arm of the Goldbeck family office. Miki and Andreas dive into the challenges of family office investing, the lack of transparency in the space, and the role of family wealth in shaping venture capital’s future.
They also explore best practices for VCs fundraising from family offices, why many funds struggle to differentiate themselves, and how emerging fund managers can stand out in today’s competitive landscape.
📝 Article | LP Fundraising decks for impact VCs
Why it matters: Raising an impact VC fund? Here’s your cheat sheet. August Solliv has rounded up LP decks from top climatetech and impact investors—including World Fund (€300M), Contrarian (€100M), Nesta ($60M), and Counteract (€39.3M)—so you can see what works. With impact capital on the rise, transparency into successful pitches is gold.
📝 Article | History Rhymes: Post World War 1 and the 2020s
Why it matters: Marvin Liao draws eerie parallels between post-WWI Europe and today’s crumbling Western institutions. From failed wars and economic crashes to institutional distrust at an all-time high, he argues that incompetence, corruption, and ideological extremes have eroded the foundations of modern society.
But he’s not all doom and gloom—America still attracts the best and brightest, and rebuilding starts at the individual level. For VCs, this is a reminder: macro shifts create generational opportunities—but only for those who see through the noise.
Why it matters: Private markets aren’t just alternative anymore—they’re going mainstream. Blackstone’s Joan Solotar has scaled Private Wealth Solutions to $250B AUM, proving that HNWIs want access to institutional-grade alternatives.
She breaks down why wealth managers are shifting allocations, how private markets fit into portfolios, and why we’re still in spring training for mass adoption. For VCs, this is a signal: private markets are expanding, and those who crack the wealth channel will unlock massive new capital pools.
📝 Article | Deeptech Briefing - The Quantum AI Gold Rush, Who’s Leading & How to Invest Early
Why it matters: Quantum AI is no longer just a sci-fi concept—it’s moving from research labs to enterprise adoption, with Fortune 500 contracts and billion-dollar VC rounds rolling in. But traditional SaaS metrics don’t apply here, meaning investors need a fresh framework to assess risk and scalability.
With geopolitics reshaping DeepTech funding, the real winners will dominate trillion-dollar markets in AI, cybersecurity, and biotech. For VCs, this isn’t just hype—it’s an arms race. The question is: are you early, or already behind?
📝 Article | Fall of the Empire? Hedging against the (alleged) decline of the West
Why it matters: With Germany facing stagnation, rising taxation, and geopolitical uncertainty, investors are rethinking how to protect their wealth. Voss breaks down three decline scenarios—Japan-style stagnation, Argentina-like collapse, or political upheaval—and how to hedge against them. His advice? Diversify jurisdictions, hold inflation-proof assets (real estate, infrastructure, commodities), and consider tactical trades.
But don’t let doomers take over your portfolio—optimists make more money than pessimists in the long run. For VCs and LPs, this is a reminder: macro risks are real, but smart positioning wins.
🎙Podcast | The Truth About ConTech Co-Investors: 90% Destroy Value (In Early-Stage)
Why it matters: Vinod Khosla’s claim that 70% of VCs actively destroy value isn’t just clickbait—it’s a wake-up call. The best investors know when to shut up and step aside, while most chase relevance by offering unsolicited (and often bad) advice.
Knowledge, not networks or platform services, is the only thing that scales in VC. And when picking co-investors? Bet on equity owners, not salaried employees—alignment matters. For VCs, this is a brutal but necessary reality check: if you’re not truly helping, you’re probably hurting.
Up next in the EUVC community, we’ve got exclusive AMAs, expert-led workshops, and insider discussions you won’t want to miss. If you are not a member already, join now to connect and learn!
💬 Community event | LP AMA with Christian Hjort Pedersen
Join us for an exclusive AMA session with Christian Hjort Pedersen, formerly VC Fund Investor at IIP Denmark.
Having allocated more than 600 M USD to top decile early-stage VC funds in US and Europe within tech and life sciences, Christian brings an understanding of the global venture markets and what it takes to build a true franchise better than most others.
This AMA is part of our ongoing series of small-group sessions designed to foster deep, meaningful discussions within the VC community. Reserve your spot now to ensure you don’t miss this opportunity.
⏰ Feb. 18 | 💻 Online | THIS EVENT IS FOR EUVC COMMUNITY MEMBERS ONLY.
✍🏻 EUVC Masterclass | Marketing Foundations for Fund Managers
Join us for an engaging workshop tailored for fund managers looking to institutionalise their marketing approach and craft a category-defining investment brand.
This masterclass is designed to go beyond traditional marketing advice on tactics to help you create lasting brand equity, ensuring your fund stands out in a competitive landscape.
This session will provide actionable insights into fund positioning, LP communications, and crafting compelling narratives - all while maximising time for Q&A to address your specific challenges.
⏰ March 13 | 💻 Online |
✍🏻 EUVC Masterclass | Setting up and Structuring a VC Fund
Emerging fund managers face countless challenges when setting up and structuring their first VC fund. The process is complex, daunting, and full of pitfalls, from navigating legal frameworks to engaging with the right service providers, the foundations you lay now will shape your growth trajectory.
That’s why we’re planning an exclusive 3-hour masterclass designed to equip emerging managers with the insights, strategies, and tools needed to tackle these challenges head-on.
⏰ Jun. 02 | 🇩🇪 Berlin | This masterclass is a side-event taking place during SuperVenture & SuperReturn.
Our 2025 is already packed with events and unique experiences, and we want you to join us. Here is what’s coming next from EUVC! Exclusive retreats, adventure getaways, and deep-dive industry events designed to connect, challenge, and inspire.
Nominate now for EUVC Awards
Nominate the champions of European venture across six marquee categories: Firm of The Year, Emerging Manager of The Year, Newcomer of The Year, Impact Leader of The Year, Achievement of The Year, and Exit of The Year.
Embark on a Journey of Deep Inner Work
Join us for a transformative experience of self-discovery and vulnerability, guided by Rupda and supported by a trusted group of peers. Through embodied practices and self-inquiry, we will build resilience, presence, and a supportive network of fellow investors and founders for meaningful growth. Let’s walk each other home.
Escape for an extended weekend of adventure
Join us for a partners retreat packed with awe-inspiring treks, thrilling canyoning and river rafting, and inspiring sessions balanced with moments of reflection and exceptional dining. Be inspired by world record-holding polar explorer Ben Saunders, challenged by our ex-commander, and discover how to deepen focus in an introductory deep work session with Fred Destin.
Push yourself to the limit alongside industry peers
We’ll trek the most breathtaking sections of the GR 221 trail, known as the Dry Stone Route. This will take us through a 1,000-meter ascent, revealing stunning landscapes set against refreshing ocean breezes. As night falls, a private chef will delight us with exquisite dinners, followed by evenings filled with relaxed activities, a selection of fine drinks, and an array of delights to cap off each day in true style.
