DIG Ventures, a UK-based early-stage VC fund focused on Europe’s most transformative B2B SaaS, AI, and cloud infrastructure startups, has announced the close of a $100 million fund. This is its first institutional raise.
The round saw participation from a mix of institutional LPs and top tech operators. Leading backers include The Hillman Company, Sofina, Granite Capital, and Grove Street. Some of the industry’s most influential founders are joining them, including Olivier Pomel (founder of Datadog) and a number of senior MuleSoft executives. Their support underscores the fund’s reputation as a founder-led firm with deep operational insight.
Pan-European and global investment plan
DIG Ventures plans to deploy capital into early-stage companies across Europe, with selective investments in the US and Israel. The firm is typically the first institutional cheque for founders, often backing startups at the pre-seed or seed stage, when there is little more than a product vision.
Talking to TFN, Melissa Klinger, Partner at Dig Ventures, said: “While the UK is a major focus for us, DIG invests across Europe and in select startups from Israel and the US. Some of the best AI talent is coming out of UK universities, and London is fast becoming a global hub for AI, with all the major players opening offices here. But brilliant companies are being built everywhere, and we back top-tier founders wherever they are. We always follow the talent.”
Addresses the infrastructure investment gap
The European startup landscape has long lacked operator-led funds that truly understand what it takes to build complex infrastructure companies. While product innovation is thriving, many early-stage founders face barriers when it comes to executing GTM strategies, hiring experienced talent, and raising from US follow-on investors.
She continued: “There’s a gap in the European ecosystem between technical talent and commercial success. We’re bridging this gap. We act as a hands-on partner, not just a source of capital, helping founders with go-to-market strategy, hiring, and scaling. Our aim is to help turn world-class tech into world-class companies.”
DIG aims to bridge that gap, delivering not just capital but hands-on guidance from partners who’ve scaled and exited tech companies themselves.
The team behind the VC
DIG Ventures was founded by Ross Mason in 2018, initially as his family office after MuleSoft, the integration software company he founded, was acquired by Salesforce for $6.5 billion. Mason is joined by Melissa Klinger, MuleSoft’s former UK Sales Lead; Rytis Vitkauskas, founder of YPlan and former Lightspeed partner; and Scott Grimes, who previously founded Stackin’ and Uproxx (acquired by Warner Music). The four-partner team brings unmatched GTM, product, and scaling expertise from both sides of the Atlantic.
How was the idea born?
Melissa continued: “After selling MuleSoft to Salesforce, Ross saw firsthand the lack of operational support available to early-stage founders, particularly in Europe. So we joined forces to start DIG, initially as Ross’ family office. After early signs of success, and seeing clear demand for an operator-led venture fund focused on B2B SaaS, cloud infrastructure, and AI, we decided to scale and raise a fund to double down and back the next generation of exceptional founders.”
This vision now defines DIG’s approach, offering hands-on guidance in product positioning, sales execution, and international scaling, all rooted in real operator experience..
Portfolio of investments
The new fund has already been partially deployed into over 15 B2B SaaS and infrastructure startups. These include:
- Dash0: An observability platform founded by Mirko Novakovic, previously the founder of Instana (acquired by IBM).
- Nexos.ai: AI orchestration startup founded by Nord Security co-founders, Tomas Okmanas and Eimantas Sabaliauskas.
- Bubble: No-code platform enabling users to build web apps without programming.
- ComplyAdvantage: RegTech startup offering AML screening and risk intelligence powered by AI.
- Rasa: An open-source conversational AI platform enabling custom chatbot development.
- Taktile: Decisioning platform for financial services companies to test and deploy business logic.
- Rossum: An AI-based intelligent document processing platform transforming how companies handle invoices.
- Flock: Insurance technology company offering usage-based insurance for commercial fleets.
Scaling Europe’s deeptech future
Looking ahead, DIG Ventures is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Europe’s next generation of infrastructure giants. With deep operator DNA, a founder-first approach, and the backing of world-class LPs, the firm is on a mission to help European founders achieve breakout success, on their own terms.
Melissa continued: “DIG plans to back the next generation of the most exciting and successful companies in cloud infrastructure, B2B SaaS, and AI. We hope to play a small but mighty part in helping founders build massive businesses that redefine big markets. Our goal is to be the first partner that helps take a company from idea to global scale. We’re also focused on providing an outstanding founder experience and building a strong, supportive community at DIG. This fund is just the beginning, and I’m excited for the future!”
Ross Mason, Partner at DIG Ventures, commented: “We see an enormous opportunity in Europe right now – this is the moment for the next generation of globally impactful tech companies to emerge from Europe. These founders combine deep technical brilliance with a powerful underdog mentality, but the bridge between technical excellence and commercial success is often missing. That’s where DIG comes in. With Fund II, we’re doubling down on our operator-led approach: not just providing capital, but offering the lived experience, Silicon Valley mindset, operational insight, and network needed to go from zero to one. We’re here to help founders turn high-potential technology into companies that scale globally.”
Mirko Novakovic, Founder of Dash0, added: “We chose Dig Ventures because of their unique operating experience scaling a SaaS company to billion-dollar success, combined with the hands-on, entrepreneurial spirit their entire team brings to the table. Their expertise and proactive approach make them exactly the partner Dash0 needs at this critical growth stage.”
Tomas Okmanas, co-founder of Nord Security, commented: “As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve seen every side of the funding landscape – from bootstrapping to major raises. Those experiences have shown me the value of investors who don’t just understand the technical side but have lived the scale-up journey themselves. The DIG team aren’t just investors; they’re in the trenches with us, helping us navigate go-to-market, pricing, and the sales process. Their support is second to none – a true founder’s fund.”
