In Europe’s competitive startup landscape, one challenge remains: transforming technological ideas into scalable business models often requires early-stage capital and networks that are scarce outside the US. Many European entrepreneurs with ambitious visions struggle to access the funding needed to bring their inventions from the lab to the global stage.
Addressing this gap, London-based Backed VC has announced the successful close of its third fund, Backed 3, at its $100 million cap, attracting commitments from Isomer Capital and Wunderland Capital, as well as over fifty family offices and entrepreneurial backers.
Its focus remains on investing in bold companies operating in AI-enabled therapeutics, blockchain infrastructure, and manufacturing automation. Since launching the fund, Backed has already begun deploying capital, backing innovative startups such as Alzheimer’s-focused biotech Aerska and Zero Gravity, an AI-driven blockchain platform that has already raised over $350 million.
Building meaningful relationships with entrepreneurs
Founded in 2016 by Andre de Haes and Alex Brunicki, Backed VC was born out of a desire to shift the European venture scene from a focus on financial transactions to building meaningful relationships with entrepreneurs.
Andre de Haes, co-founder at Backed, said, “Over the last decade, we have built a community of humans who have the audacity to take on companies like Nvidia, Google and Goldman Sachs. Their boldness has led to their success. It has created a flywheel, where our founders are now investing as LPs back into our new fund.”
Both founders had observed Europe’s talented engineers and scientists being overlooked in favour of their U.S. counterparts, largely due to limited support networks and access to early funding. A defining characteristic of Backed VC’s approach is its extensive global ecosystem, which hosts over 40 events annually that convene more than 4,000 founders, investors, and industry leaders worldwide.
Over the years, that vision has translated into tangible success. Backed’s first fund was ranked among Europe’s top decile, and by October 2025, the firm had already returned 35% of capital to investors, demonstrating disciplined growth and strategic oversight.
What sets Backed apart is its deep focus not just on financial backing but on nurturing a community of founders committed to breakthroughs that redefine industries. Its portfolio includes companies such as Invisible Technologies and Thought Machine, leaders in AI operations and banking infrastructure, as well as biotech innovators like Aerska and Ochre Bio.
What about a diversity strategy?
When we asked Backed VC on diversity, Andre de Haes confirmed to TFN, “We have integrated diversity and inclusion deeply into how we run the firm, in our decision-making and in our community.
Most notably, we have supported DEI through specific BACKED DEI-Hard initiatives:
- Our BOOST investment programme – which invests in talented individuals from under-estimated ethnic backgrounds. We have backed amazing founders through it, such as Yasmin Greenaway from Dermie AI.
- Our diverse Angel Scout Programmes, where over 50% of our scouts over the years have been from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
- Our Female Angels Series: we post quarterly gatherings for the best female angels in Europe
What differentiates us most as a firm is our Events strategy, hosting 40 large events per year and 4000 founders and VC partners. We ensure diverse representation across those events.
This commitment will be reflected in Backed 3, where we will be looking to back a diverse group of founders across ethnicity, gender, origin and LGBTQ+ representation – seeking out the very best founders outside of typical networks.” commitment will be reflected in Backed 3, where we will be looking to back a diverse group of founders across ethnicity, gender, origin and LGBTQ+ representation – seeking out the very best founders outside of typical networks.”
What’s next?
Looking ahead, the firm is expanding its presence in the United States to support its European founders and to forge transatlantic collaborations.
The firm already reinvested in six of its top-performing founders from previous funds as they launched new ventures, underlining the firm’s long-term commitment to its entrepreneurs.
