Berlin-based seed+speed Ventures has successfully closed its third fund at an impressive $107.3 million, tripling its initial target. This new fund, led by Carsten Maschmeyer and Alexander Kölpin, will focus on early-stage B2B and enterprise software startups across Europe. The firm is strategically targeting companies that are developing or enabling the secure and effective use of artificial intelligence in business operations.
Surpassing Expectations in a Challenging Market
The fundraising journey for seed+speed III significantly exceeded its original goal of $35.7 million, prompting the firm to raise its hard cap twice with investor approval. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the challenging global market environment for venture capital. It serves as a strong signal of investor confidence in the firm's team, strategy, and the potential of the European B2B technology sector.
The fund attracted a diverse coalition of investors, including institutional backers, family offices, media groups, and various industry professionals. A unique aspect of this fund is the participation of several successful founders from seed+speed's first two funds who have since exited their companies. Managing Partner Carsten Maschmeyer highlighted this as a powerful signal of trust and a testament to the firm's value-add approach.
A Strategic Focus on Enterprise AI
The core investment thesis of seed+speed III is centered on the safe and productive integration of artificial intelligence into corporate workflows. The fund will back companies addressing critical areas such as security, data protection, governance, quality control, and measurable productivity gains. This focus reflects the market's evolution from questioning if AI will be adopted to determining how it can be used for a competitive advantage.
With its new capital, the firm will write initial checks between $596K and $1.7 million, with the capacity to deploy several million euros in follow-on rounds. Beyond capital, seed+speed provides hands-on support, helping founders build scalable go-to-market structures and repeatable sales processes. This active partnership is designed to transform promising European technology into solutions that can set international standards.
Expanding Horizons and Early Investments
A significant strategic development for the firm is the expansion of its geographic focus beyond the German-speaking DACH region. For the first time, seed+speed Ventures is actively investing in startups across the entire European continent. This broader scope allows the team to tap into a wider pool of innovation and support a more diverse range of founders.
Despite the recent closing, the fund has already demonstrated significant momentum since fundraising began in the summer of 2024. The investment team has already backed 13 startups, showcasing its proactive approach to deployment. Notable early investments include Amsterdam's Orq.ai, Germany's RIIICO, Austria's Optimuse, and Switzerland's Eleven Dynamics, spanning AI platforms and industrial software.
The successful closing of its $107.3 million fund firmly establishes seed+speed Ventures as a pivotal early-stage investor in Europe's burgeoning enterprise AI scene. By combining substantial capital with deep operational support and an expanded geographic reach, the firm is well-equipped to nurture a new generation of B2B software leaders. Its mission is clear: to empower European founders to scale their world-class technology into globally competitive companies.