Top 10 Pre-Seed Funding Sources in Europe for 2025: Best Opportunities for Startups

As we step into 2025, Europe's pre-seed funding ecosystem is bustling with opportunities for early-stage startups. This stage is crucial for transforming innovative ideas into viable products.

Successful pre-seed funding can provide the initial capital to take your startup to the next level.

In this article, we'll explore the top 10 pre-seed funding sources in Europe for 2025, offering insights, statistics, and a guide to help navigate this critical phase.

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The Importance of Pre-Seed Funding

Pre-seed funding is the initial capital that helps startups cover the costs of product development, market research, and early hires. It’s the stepping stone for turning concepts into tangible offerings. According to recent data, Europe's venture capital ecosystem has seen a significant increase in pre-seed funding activities, driven by ventures across sectors like digital health, fintech, and medtech.

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Top 10 Pre-Seed Funding Sources in Europe for 2025

1. HTGF

HTGF (High-Tech Gründerfonds) is a leading German venture capital firm specializing in high-tech startups. They led a €1.7 million pre-seed round for the battery startup alteva in January 2025.

2. UnternehmerTUM Funding for Innovators

UnternehmerTUM is known for supporting innovative startups in various sectors, providing significant seed capital to help them scale.

3. NRW.BANK

NRW.BANK focuses on fostering innovative startups by offering significant early-stage investments. They participated in the financing round for alteva, showcasing their commitment to technological advancement.

4. F/MS

F/MS (Female Switch) is a pre-seed VC that supports female founders in Europe. They're known for their hands-on approach and extensive network.

5. Kurma Partners

Kurma Partners is a major player in healthcare and biotech innovation. They offer funding through various stages, including pre-seed.

6. DN Capital

DN Capital focuses on early-stage and growth capital investments in fintech, digital media, and mobile applications.

7. Audacity Venture Capital

Audacity led a pre-seed funding round for Postudio, a cloud-based post-production software company, indicating strong support for media-tech startups.

8. OpenVC

OpenVC provides a comprehensive list of pre-seed investors and VCs supporting early-stage founders, offering funding up to $1.5M.

9. FinSMEs

FinSMEs reported on Glue securing $2M in pre-seed funding for their test planning and automation software, highlighting another strong investment firm.

10. Private Investors

Romanian Insider discussed how Examin secured EUR 200,000 in pre-seed funding from private investors, emphasizing the role of individual backers in the European startup ecosystem.

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How to Approach Pre-Seed Investors: A Step-by-Step Guide

Identify Potential Investors: Research and list VCs and private investors that align with your startup’s sector and stage.
Prepare a Pitch Deck: Create a compelling pitch deck that clearly outlines your value proposition, market potential, and financial projections.
Validate Your Idea: Gather data and customer feedback to show proof of concept and market demand.
Reach Out: Craft personalized emails and leverage your network to secure meetings with potential investors.
Negotiate Terms: Once you get an offer, carefully negotiate the investment terms to ensure they align with your long-term vision.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Insufficient Research: Not all VCs are the right fit; ensure your chosen investors align with your industry and growth stage.
Overvaluation: Setting an unrealistically high valuation can deter potential investors.
Ignoring Feedback: Investors may provide valuable feedback; be open to their suggestions and refine your pitch accordingly.

Important to Remember: The Future of Pre-Seed Funding

In 2025, the landscape for pre-seed funding in Europe is more vibrant than ever. With growing support from VCs and private investors, early-stage startups have ample opportunities to secure the necessary capital. As AI continues to reshape industries, sectors such as digital health, fintech, and medtech are particularly attractive to investors.

Conclusion

Navigating the pre-seed funding landscape in Europe can be challenging, but with the right approach and knowledge, you can secure the capital needed to launch and scale your startup. By leveraging resources like HTGF, UnternehmerTUM Funding for Innovators, and the F/MS Business Model Canvas Tool, you're well on your way to entrepreneurial success. Stay persistent, refine your pitch, and make use of the free tools available to you—success is just around the corner.

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FAQ

1. What is pre-seed funding, and why is it important?

Pre-seed funding is the initial capital that helps startups cover the costs of product development, market research, and early hires. It's crucial for transforming innovative ideas into viable products.

2. Which venture capital firm led the €1.7 million pre-seed round for the battery startup alteva in January 2025?

HTGF (High-Tech Gründerfonds) led the €1.7 million pre-seed round for the battery startup alteva. Learn more about HTGF

3. Can you name a venture capital firm that supports female founders in Europe?

F/MS (Female Switch) supports female founders in Europe and is known for its hands-on approach and extensive network. Discover F/MS

4. Which VC firm is a major player in healthcare and biotech innovation in Europe?

Kurma Partners is a prominent VC firm in healthcare and biotech innovation, providing funding through various stages including pre-seed. Find out more about Kurma Partners

5. Which investor focuses on early-stage investments in fintech, digital media, and mobile applications?

DN Capital focuses on early-stage and growth capital investments in fintech, digital media, and mobile applications. Explore DN Capital

6. Who led the pre-seed funding round for the cloud-based post-production software company Postudio?

Audacity Venture Capital led the pre-seed funding round for Postudio. Learn about Audacity Venture Capital

7. Where can I find a comprehensive list of pre-seed investors and VCs in Europe?

OpenVC provides a comprehensive list of pre-seed investors and VCs supporting early-stage founders. Visit OpenVC

8. Which media outlet reported on Glue’s $2M pre-seed funding for their test planning and automation software?

FinSMEs reported on Glue securing $2M in pre-seed funding. Read the report on FinSMEs

9. How much pre-seed funding did the Romanian startup Examin secure for their AI-powered video analytics?

Examin secured EUR 200,000 in pre-seed funding from private investors. Learn more about Examin's funding

10. What is the F/MS AI Business Model Canvas Tool?

The F/MS AI Business Model Canvas Tool helps startups craft their business model by generating a personalized Business Model Canvas based on simple inputs. Try the F/MS Business Model Canvas Tool