Top Venture Capital Firms in Germany

Germany, Europe's largest economy, is a powerhouse of industrial innovation and a burgeoning center for technology startups. With major tech hubs in cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg, the country boasts a sophisticated and dynamic venture capital (VC) ecosystem that attracts investors in Germany and investors in Europe alike. 

The German VC scene has matured rapidly, becoming home to some of the best venture capital players and active venture capital firms operating across Europe. These firms are critical in funding the next generation of global leaders in sectors from B2B SaaS to biotech and digital companies. 

In this article, we’ll explore the top VC firms and VC funds in Germany, highlighting their investment focus, portfolio, and notable contributions to the venture capital landscape.

1. Earlybird Venture Capital

Founded in 1997, Earlybird Venture Capital is one of Europe's most established and successful venture capital companies, with deep roots in Germany. Operating from offices in Berlin and Munich, they invest in early-stage companies and technology ventures at various stages of development. 

Earlybird manages distinct funds, including early-stage venture capital strategies such as Digital West (Europe), Digital East (Emerging Europe), and a dedicated Health fund that also invests in biotech. Their long history has given them unparalleled experience in guiding companies from seed-stage ideas to global market leaders. 

A standout investment is their early backing of N26, the German neobank that has become a fintech giant. 

Earlybird is known for its strong network, hands-on strategic support, and ability to help startups scale internationally, making it a foundational pillar of the German startup and VC scene.

2. HV Capital

Formerly known as Holtzbrinck Ventures, HV Capital is one of Europe's largest and most successful VC investors. Located in Munich and Berlin, the firm has been backing internet and technology companies since 2000. 

They invest across all stages, from seed to growth capital, making them a versatile venture capital investor for founders throughout their journey. HV Capital's portfolio reads like a who's who of European tech unicorns, including Zalando, Delivery Hero, and HelloFresh. This track record shows their ability to identify and nurture category-defining companies. 

The firm provides deep operational expertise, capital markets insights, and strategic support, leveraging its experience to support companies in SaaS, fintech, and consumer internet. HV Capital is considered one of the best venture capital choices for founders investing in Germany.

3. Point Nine Capital

Point Nine Capital is a venture capital fund with a laser focus on early-stage venture capital for B2B SaaS and online marketplaces. Known as "The Angel VC" in its early days, Point Nine has built a global reputation for its deep expertise and its thesis-driven investment approach. 

They are often the first institutional investor in a company, typically investing at the pre-seed and seed stages. The firm is famous for its content and community-building efforts, providing invaluable resources to the broader SaaS ecosystem. 

Their portfolio includes global SaaS leaders like Contentful, Typeform, and Algolia, showcasing their ability to spot future winners early. 

Point Nine’s comprehensive strategy and supportive approach make them a top choice for founders in Germany in 2025, especially those in early-stage companies and digital companies.

4. Cherry Ventures

Founded by a team of successful entrepreneurs, Cherry Ventures is a seed-stage firm that brings a founder-first mentality to early-stage venture capital. They partner with entrepreneurs at the very beginning of their journey, often when a company is just an idea on a slide deck. 

Their mission is to back Europe's boldest founders who are building globally ambitious companies, including many German startups. Because the partners have built companies themselves, they provide practical, empathetic mentorship and strategic support on the real-world challenges of starting a business. 

Cherry Ventures has backed some of Europe's fastest-growing companies, including the quick-commerce giant Flink and the freight-tech platform Forto. Their focus on the earliest stage and their hands-on, founder-to-founder support model have made them a central player in the Berlin startup and VC scene.

5. Project A Ventures

Project A Ventures is an operational venture fund that provides not just funding but also direct, hands-on strategic support from a team of over 100 in-house experts. This unique model allows them to help startups and support companies with everything from software engineering and digital marketing to HR and business intelligence. 

They invest in early-stage companies across a wide range of industries. This "operational VC" approach means that founders get a dedicated team to help them execute and accelerate growth, a resource far more valuable than capital alone. 

Project A has invested in and helped build successful companies like the e-scooter operator Voi, the commerce platform Spryker, and the neobank Trade Republic. Their model has proven highly effective in de-risking early stage venture efforts and building sustainable businesses in the German VC scene.

6. High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF)

High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is Germany's most active and important seed-stage investor. Based in Bonn, Berlin, and Munich, HTGF is a unique public-private partnership where the German Federal Government joins forces with leading corporations to finance high-potential tech startups. 

Its primary mission is to turn promising research and technology into successful commercial ventures. With over 700 companies in its portfolio, HTGF plays a crucial role in funding deep tech, life sciences, industrial tech, and digital innovations that might otherwise struggle to find early-stage capital. 

They provide not just funding but also access to an extensive network of industry experts and corporate partners. HTGF is a cornerstone of Germany's innovation ecosystem, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and market success.

7. Picus Capital

Picus Capital is a global venture capital investor founded by Alexander Samwer. The firm takes a unique, long-term approach as an "entrepreneurial sparring partner," often partnering with founders at the pre-seed stage, sometimes even before a company is formally established.

They invest globally, targeting digital companies and corporate venture opportunities in real estate, finance, energy, and other data-driven sectors. Picus is known for its deep operational involvement and its commitment to invest in companies for the entire lifecycle of their business. 

They provide growth capital, international expansion guidance, and strategic support. This patient, long-term capital and hands-on backing make Picus a highly sought-after partner in the German VC scene and across investors in Europe.

Let’s Recap

Germany is home to some of Europe's most influential venture capital firms, fueling the continent's tech revolution. From operational VCs to deep-tech specialists, these firms are renowned for their strategic investments, hands-on support, and their ability to build companies of lasting value.

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