Day One Capital has launched a new early-stage investment fund dedicated to backing founders across Central and Eastern Europe, marking a major milestone for the region’s venture landscape. The Budapest-based firm has already secured €45 million at the fund’s second close, with a final closing expected in early 2026 and a target size of around €60 million. This new vehicle reinforces Day One Capital’s focus on supporting Pre-Seed and Seed-stage technology startups with global ambitions.
Strategic Focus and Investment Targets
The fund centers on Pre-Seed and Seed companies developing B2B software and high-potential technologies across the CEE region. Day One Capital plans to build a concentrated portfolio of around 20 companies, deploying initial ticket sizes ranging from €500,000 to €2.5 million while leading or co-leading financing rounds. The team expects to complete three to four new investments by the end of 2025 and maintain a pace of five to six deals per year thereafter.
Backing from International Investors
The fund is already active, with its first two investments co-led by investors from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, highlighting growing cross-border interest in emerging CEE startups. Two additional investments in progress are expected to be co-led by German funds, further expanding the international network around Day One’s portfolio. While specific limited partners have not been publicly disclosed, the early co-investor activity signals strong institutional and private appetite for the region’s technology opportunities.
Building on a Decade of Experience
This latest fund builds on more than ten years of investing experience that began in 2012 with Day One Capital’s €4 million debut fund. That first vehicle backed nine companies and ultimately produced a major exit through AImotive, which became Hungary’s largest startup acquisition to date. In 2018, the firm expanded with a €34 million second fund that invested in 20 companies and recorded successful exits including Tresorit, Webshippy, and Gamee, while helping several portfolio companies exceed $100 million valuations.
Regional Growth and Global Ambitions
The launch comes during a period of rapid maturity for the Central and Eastern European ecosystem, which is increasingly attracting global investor attention. The firm’s partners emphasize that regional early-stage funds play a critical role as “signal senders,” combining market familiarity with hands-on support that many international investors cannot match at the earliest stages. By anchoring local rounds and collaborating with foreign co-investors, Day One Capital aims to help founders convert strong regional traction into globally competitive businesses.
Supporting the Founder Journey
Consistent with its prior funds, Day One Capital positions itself as a long-term partner rather than a passive financial investor. The team provides operational guidance on hiring, go-to-market execution, and follow-on fundraising, supported by its international network of industry contacts and investors. This approach, combined with the fund’s increased capital base, is designed to give CEE founders earlier access to meaningful financing and the strategic support required to scale sustainably.
As the firm progresses toward the final close of its new fund, Day One Capital is poised to shape the next wave of technology success stories emerging from Central and Eastern Europe. The €45 million secured to date, combined with an expanding international investor network and a proven track record across previous funds, gives the firm a strong foundation to continue backing high-potential founders at their earliest stages. If executed effectively, this initiative is set to strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem and accelerate its presence on the global technology map.