Ventech, the French multi-sector early-stage VC firm, today announced the final close of its sixth flagship fund at €175 million – surpassing vintage by 15% and marks the largest in the firm’s 26 year history.
With the new fund, the firm bolsters its goal of supporting approximately 35 European tech startups in their Seed and Series A stage all the way to exit.
“We are entering a new cycle of disruption driven by AI and deep technological shifts. Now is the time to build, and we are thrilled to partner with ambitious founders tackling the biggest challenges and opportunities of our time,” said Jean Bourcereau, Chairman and Managing Partner at Ventech. “With 5 offices and a strong network across Europe, we are poised to support the next generation of category-defining companies from day one.”
Founded in 1998, Ventech is a VC firm that operates with a dual structure platform, offering dedicated funds for Europe (Paris, Munich, Berlin, Helsinki and Stockholm) and Asia (Shanghai and Hong Kong).
Since its inception, Ventech has raised over €1.1 billion and has realised over 320 investments, (including Vestiaire Collective, Prewave, Ogury, The Customization Group, Veo Technologies, Crossbeam, Speexx, Keep) and 185 exits (Believe, Arteris, FintecSystems, Withings, 4 Stop).
The firm says the fund’s launch comes at a pivotal moment in the European tech ecosystem, as a new wave of technological disruption powered by AI is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. With AI driving transformation across sectors, Ventech is strategically dedicating 50% of its capital and time to AI-native vertical applications, backing category-defining companies that are shaping the future.
Beyond AI, the firm is doubling down on four additional investment theses that align with global technological shifts: Digital Health, Industrial Software, Cyber Security and Sovereignty.
With 15 companies already backed by Ventech Capital VI, featuring the German space traffic management company Okapi Orbits, the Finnish M&A SaaS firm Inven, the Swedish AI-driven IT service management startup Starhive, the enterprise platform to build AI agents Vertesia and the French Omaha Insights for next-gen equity research.
Bourcereau added: “Friendly globalisation is suffering, to say the least. Europe is more and more on its own. With 8 of the world’s 10 biggest companies being US tech giants, Europe’s path is clear-double down on innovation. VC funds must step up to drive the next wave of global leaders.”
Ventech’s team of 17 people, spanning 6 nationalities, includes 10 investors, 6 of them are General Partners with an average of 17 years’ VC experience, who lead deals, take board seats, and actively support startups within a flat, distributed partnership model.
Ventech’s Founding Partner, Alain Caffi will be retiring on a high note – the 36x multiple exit from Believe. Bourcereau will be stepping up as Chairman and Stephan Wirries will become GP with Fund VI.
Ventech has also expanded its operational team over the past three years with key hires, including a Head of Marketing, Head of Investor Relations, and an Impact & ESG Manager, to better support both the firm and its portfolio.
The firm has also launched an early-stage impact arm – AFI Ventures – in 2020. This pre-Seed and Seed impact fund has already backed over 40 impact-driven startups and deployed 60% of its fund commitment.
Bourcereau concluded: “We’re proud to have raised this sixth-generation fund with the backing of a diverse group of international LPs. A 95% re-up rate speaks volumes about the trust in Ventech’s performance and core beliefs. We’re also honoured to see over a dozen former Founders return as investors, one of the strongest endorsements we could receive. The entire team is deeply grateful for the continued trust of our LPs and the Founders who chose us to stand by their side!”