The first-ever European VC Awards were unveiled at the SuperVenture conference in Berlin, celebrating contributions to the European venture capital ecosystem.
The event, organised in partnership with the EUVC team, Isomer Capital, HSBC Innovation Banking, and SuperVenture, recognised firms and individuals who have made impacts in the ecosystem.
Andreas Munk Holm, Founder of EUVC, says, “One big message from all the entries we received for the inaugural awards, is that Europe is clearly coming out of the tech reset.”
“Across our finalists for Firm of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, we’re seen multiple oversubscribed funds and revolutionary new models that VCs are taking. From entries like Common Magic, with a solo GP knocking everyone over, to Amino Collective, increasing its hard cap for more leading LPs to join the fund, this past year has been incredibly exciting and promising for the future of the market.”
“Startup founders should feel more positive and encouraged – these awards underline clearly the vibrancy of the EU venture ecosystem, and the tech reset and macro headwinds, can in no way be the reason for a good founder not being able to raise.”
Chris Wade, EUVC Awards co-Chair, adds, “European VC is increasingly an important part of the global venture market. These awards were designed to celebrate, inspire, and promote the best of European venture.”
“In 10 years, we have gone from a VC market with no SuperVenture to today, where a three-day conference brings together 1,000 GPs and LPs.”
The awards and winners!
Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame award honours a veteran who has “indelible” impacted the European VC ecosystem over the past two decades.
This year’s honoree is Neil Rimer. He co-founded Index Ventures in 1996 and has been a guiding luminary ever since. Rimer’s contributions have helped shape the venture capital landscape, inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Firm of the Year
The “Firm of the Year” award honours a firm “excelling” in financial performance, innovation, impact, diversity, transparency, and fairness.
This year, Seedcamp emerged as the winner, demonstrating “extraordinary achievement and leadership” in the venture capital arena. The firm maintains diversity metrics and cultivates a “richly” diverse team and portfolio.
Antonia Whitecourt, Director of Seedcamp, says, “Winning the EU VC ‘Firm of the Year’ award feels special in so many ways. It recognises our genuine commitment to the ecosystem, a value reflected in every thing we do across the team, and how we continue to collaborate with the wider network.”
“It also shows how the European market has evolved since Seedcamp started 17 years ago, and the importance of the work that EU VC, Isomer and HSBC Innovation Banking are doing in bringing this community further together.”
Newcomer of the Year
The “Newcomer of the Year” award highlights emerging managers who bring fresh, unique, and innovative approaches to the European venture landscape.
This year’s winner is Amino Collective. The firm secured €40M in record time, attracting Tier 1 Limited Partners, and made “stellar” initial investments with the potential to transform industries.
Led by solo GP Manuel Grossmann, Amino Collective also clinched €150M in follow-on funding, from investors like A16Z, Index Ventures, and Accel.
Achievement of The Year
The Achievement of the Year award at the European VC Awards went to WVC:E for its “groundbreaking” efforts in fostering inclusivity in venture capital space.
WVC:E is transforming LP-GP relationships to ensure equitable access to capital for female-led funds, partnering with organisations like EIF, KfW, and Big Society Capital. Its incubator and accelerator programmes have increased the participation and representation of women in the industry.
Exit of the Year Award
The “Exit of the Year” award celebrates the fund orchestrating the most value-creating exit.
This year’s winner, Capnamic, demonstrated “extraordinary foresight” and commitment with their investment in Germany-based LeanIX.
Starting with Fund I in 2013, Capnamic invested through multiple rounds, and when Fund I reached its investment ceiling, the firm established a single deal SPV to continue robust support and investment in LeanIX.
The returns from the LeanIX exit alone propelled the fund’s DPI well above the upper quartile, according to Cambridge benchmarks for the vintage of Capnamic Fund I (2013).
In the turbulent 2023 exit market, the acquisition of LeanIX by SAP in Q4 2023 highlights the impact and value creation of this exit.
The judges!
Chris Wade, EUVC Awards co-Chair, says, “Where better to launch our first awards, judged by a phenomenal panel of industry experts – LGT Capital Partners, Molten Ventures, Sofina, and HSBC Innovation Banking – and showcase the exceptional talent within this ecosystem to inspire the next generation of European venture capital.”
“We look forward to the continual evolution of these awards.”
The judges for the European VC Awards included experienced LPs such as Thomas Kristensen from LGT Capital Partners, Jonathan Sibilia from Molten Ventures, Giulia Van Waeyenberge from Sofina, Stephen Lowery from HSBC Innovation Banking, and Isomer Capital’s Joe Schorge and Chris Wade.
Following the awards, EUVC will be hosting fireside chats with the winners. Register here.
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