Vienna-based venture capital firm Speedinvest has successfully closed its fourth early-stage fund, Speedinvest 4, securing €350 million (approximately $380 million based on current exchange rates). This surpasses the initial target of €300 million ($325 million) and marks the final close with an additional €50 million contributed by new institutional investors.
Diverse Investor Base
The final close of Speedinvest 4 saw the support of several new institutional investors, including Aviva, PwC Germany, Bitburger, ODDO BHF, and Abeille Assurances Ventures. Additionally, long-term investors like the European Investment Fund (EIF) and first-time investors Generali joined the close, along with government funds, banks, insurance companies, pension funds, and large family offices.
Portfolio Highlights and Future Plans
Speedinvest boasts a diverse portfolio, including notable companies such as Bitpanda, GoStudent, Billie, Planetly, TWAICE, and Yokoy. Some of the founders of these portfolio companies have also contributed to Speedinvest’s new fund. The funds raised will be deployed to strengthen the VC’s portfolio and support the global expansion of early-stage startups. Already, Speedinvest 4 has made multiple investments across Europe, bringing the firm’s total assets under management to over €1 billion.
Strategic Investments and Vertical Focus
Speedinvest’s investment strategy involves focusing on six dedicated vertical teams: deep tech, fintech, health and biotech, marketplaces and consumer, climate and industrial tech, and SaaS and infrastructure. Notable investments made through Speedinvest 4 include Finres (fintech, France), Surfboard (SaaS and infrastructure, U.K.), Fertifa (health and biotech, U.K.), Cylib (deep tech, Germany), Neocarbon (climate and industrial tech, Germany), and Fairlyne (marketplaces and consumer, France). The firm aims to support startups from the pre-seed and seed stages, with over 60% of its European investments reaching Series A.
Commitment to European Tech Ecosystem
Speedinvest’s CEO and managing partner, Oliver Holle, expressed his enthusiasm for reaching this milestone, highlighting the firm’s commitment to creating a pioneering, pan-European investment platform. With over 40 investment managers across Europe and offices in major tech hubs, Speedinvest is dedicated to fostering innovation and providing cutting-edge solutions to its customers and stakeholders. The firm is also recognized as one of the most active seed investors in European unicorns.
Global Presence and Impact
In addition to its presence in Europe, Speedinvest is actively involved in various regions worldwide, including Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and South Asia. Through its diverse investment portfolio and strategic partnerships, Speedinvest aims to drive innovation and support the growth of early-stage startups across the globe.
