Europe’s startup ecosystem faces a significant challenge: women remain underrepresented as founders and receive disproportionately less venture capital funding. Despite growing evidence that gender-diverse teams outperform those dominated by males, investment gaps persist. Berlin-based Auxxo is addressing this imbalance head-on. With the €26 million first closing of its Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund II, the firm is expanding its financial reach while emphasising a clear message: diversity drives Europe’s innovation future.
This first close represents a major milestone. Already exceeding its predecessor by one-third, Fund II attracted the European Investment Fund (EIF) as an anchor investor, alongside prominent backers including Aurum Impact, Cherry Ventures, and Speedinvest, as well as numerous family offices and entrepreneurial angels across Europe. Notably, women comprise over half of Auxxo’s Limited Partners, helping reshape who influences the venture landscape.
Behind Auxxo: Founders with a mission and a movement
At Auxxo’s core are founders Bettine Schmitz and Dr. Gesa Miczaika, each with over a decade of experience in innovation and investment. Bettine honed her skills at the Axel Springer Plug & Play Accelerator, where she helped launch successful startups, including N26 and Studysmarter. Gesa transformed Blacklane from a startup into a global company and championed startup diversity as Vice President of the German Startup Association.
They share a clear mission: empowering Europe’s top female founders while creating systemic change in venture capital. Their motivation comes from direct experience seeing talented women consistently underestimated by traditional VCs. Auxxo emerged from the belief that strategic funding, combined with strong relationships, could spark a new era of founder success.
Backing visionaries across Europe
Auxxo distinguishes itself both by who it funds and how it partners with companies. Its investment criteria are clear: early-stage European startups must include at least one woman as a significant founder, holding a minimum of 20% of the founding shares, ensuring genuine influence rather than tokenism.
The Auxxo team offer hands-on coaching, access to a robust VC network, and thoughtful mentorship. The impact is evident in Auxxo’s initial Fund II investments: Emidat (climate data innovation for construction), Resolutiion (AI for commercial legal disputes), and Stanhope.ai (pioneering real-time machine learning based on computational neuroscience breakthroughs).
Portfolio founders view Auxxo as more than just an investor. They describe a partner whose conviction, business acumen, and ethical approach strengthen ambition, build confidence, and bring richer diversity throughout their companies.
What’s next for Auxxo? Leaving a blueprint for lasting change
Since 2019, Auxxo has built what many now consider Europe’s most important network for female founders and investors. Their approach extends beyond capital deployment. Built on trust, transparency, and teamwork, they serve as both catalyst and complement to traditional VCs. Their partnerships are deep and lasting, emphasising personal and professional growth for every portfolio founder.
The new EIF collaboration represents more than institutional validation. It signals a mindset shift among principal European tech backers: investing in gender-diverse startups isn’t just socially responsible but an innovative, evidence-based strategy for maximising returns and addressing untapped markets.
Co-founder Bettine Schmitz puts it best: “Our network is growing, not only in size but also in influence and effectiveness. The fact that more than half our LPs are women is a clear sign that the industry is moving toward the future we’ve always envisioned.” Dr. Gesa Miczaika adds, “Female founders are not just an investment opportunity: they are the future of European innovation.”
