As crypto makes its way further towards global adoption every day, there are new conversations emerging around digital communication and the internet age. In the crypto bull run of 2024, it is the hard work of global teams in the previous years that stands out from the rest. This value is further pushed by crypto investors to amplify the ethos and message of the world’s (imminent) web3 future. Among key global players, Europe is seeing a big wave of crypto VC firms helping build and empower the new tech.
The European continent is a hotbed of ideas supporting fresh ideas that could change the way we use the internet and handle money online. Moreover, investors in Europe are looking beyond just the numbers. They're actively engaged in laying the groundwork for an internet ecosystem that prioritizes openness and enhanced security (aka web3).
These investors support the development of new ‘decentralized’ apps that offer alternative, bank-independent methods for managing finances, propelling startups from conceptual stages to fully operational entities that redefine our digital interactions and financial transactions.
Why Europe Is An Important Hub For Crypto/Web3
According to 2022 reports, Europe as a continent ranked third in global cryptocurrency holdings overall. More importantly, Europe has set up some clear rules for dealing with crypto and blockchain, making it a friendly place for people and companies to work with web3. Europe's rich pool of tech expertise offers a fertile ground for the development of disruptive dApps and Web3 services bringing innovation within digital ecosystems.
The region's investment in Web3 and crypto startups ensures these companies access essential capital, propelling them from conceptual frameworks to tangible, user-centric solutions. This financial backing acts as a catalyst, accelerating the growth of new ventures in the Web3 space.
Europe is also experimenting with using blockchain to improve government services. To amplify this trust, there are governments funding upcoming blockchain projects as well. Take nuco.cloud for example, which received funding from the German government. They also offer tools to help customers apply for government funding for their services
Hence, all these factors together make Europe a key player in the Web3 space. Let’s take a look at who some of these key builders are in the European web3 market today.
Top 10 Europe Crypto VC Investment Funds
- Lunar Capital (Lisbon, Portugal) 🇵🇹
Lunar Capital, is the investing arm of Lunar Strategy. As an investment firm deeply integrated within the Web3 space, their background in time-tested crypto marketing makes them an ideal choice for early-stage and pre-TGE crypto projects to launch. They have comprehensive experience in accelerating the expansion of established players in the industry. With notable names like Polkadot and Oasis Network and over 170+ projects pushed to the market to date, this Lisbon-based company is a no-brainer if you’re looking to launch your crypto idea.
- Fabric Ventures (London, United Kingdom) 🇬🇧
Fabric Ventures is a London-based VC firm investing in decentralized networks, tokens, and blockchain infrastructure. With $130 million in assets under management, Fabric has backed prominent crypto projects including Near Protocol, Basis, Dapper Labs, and Substack.
The firm focuses on early-stage investments and believes the open web will lead to more innovation, transparency, and opportunity. Fabric also runs motivating events and programs to support its portfolio companies and advance the broader blockchain ecosystem.
- Mangrove Capital Partners (Luxembourg, Switzerland)
Mangrove Capital Partners has been an early backer of many successful European startups, including Skype, Wix, and WalkMe. Recently, the Luxembourg-based VC firm has pivoted to focus on blockchain investments.
Mangrove sees huge potential in web3 tech and has backed industry leaders like Diem, Dapper Labs, Blockchain.com, and Everstake. With offices also in Berlin and Tel Aviv, Mangrove takes a hands-on approach in helping its portfolio companies scale through global expansions and partnerships.
- KR1 (London, United Kingdom) 🇬🇧
KR1 is a London-based crypto and blockchain-focused VC firm co-founded in 2016 by George McDonaugh. As one of the earliest specialized investors in the space, KR1 has financed over 30 leading projects including Polkadot, Chainlink, and Aave.
The firm is research-driven and focuses on backing profoundly disruptive decentralized networks and blockchain infrastructures. KR1 also offers advisory services to assist blockchain projects with marketing, structuring, and token economics.
- BitSpread (Zurich, Switzerland) 🇨🇭
BitSpread is a Zurich-based crypto VC fund firm founded in 2018. With decades of combined experience in banking, BitSpread invests in early-stage blockchain and Web3 startups reshaping finance, gaming, data privacy, and sustainability.
The firm’s portfolio includes leading projects across decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens, metaverse gaming, and more. BitSpread provides hands-on support to its portfolio companies, leveraging its extensive network and crypto-economics expertise. The fund manages over $100 million in assets.
- Outlier Ventures (London, United Kingdom) 🇬🇧
Founded in 2014, Outlier Ventures is a London-based venture platform backing startups developing technologies for Web3, the metaverse, and the open internet. Outlier runs accelerator programs and has invested in over 100 blockchain projects across DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, and more.
The firm is focused on the convergence of AI, VR/AR, IoT and blockchain technologies. Outlier operates an incubator, provides founder services, and builds communities to drive mainstream adoption of Web3 applications.
- CoinFund (Berlin) 🇩🇪
CoinFund is a blockchain technology venture capital firm located in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 2015 by partners Jake Brukhman, Julia Spiva, and Aleksandr Bulkin, CoinFund focuses on early stage investments in startups and protocols related to cryptocurrency, decentralized finance, NFTs, Web3, and the open metaverse.
With an active portfolio of over 60 companies, CoinFund provides not only capital but also strategic and technical guidance to entrepreneurs building the decentralized future. The firm is known for investments in prominent projects such as Solana, Audius, Livepeer, NEAR Protocol, and many others across both Europe and North America.
- North Island Ventures (Zurich, Switzerland) 🇨🇭
North Island Ventures is a Zurich-based venture capital firm exclusively focused on blockchain technologies and digital asset investments. Founded in 2019, North Island partners with leading projects across decentralized finance, NFT platforms, crypto infrastructure, and more.
The firm leverages its team’s experience at bulge bracket banks and blockchain pioneers like Xapo to identify the most promising use cases. North Island also provides hands-on support with governance, token models, and global expansion.
- Venrock (Zurich, Switzerland) 🇨🇭
Venrock is a Rockefeller family investment firm with offices globally, including Zurich. Founded in 1969, Venrock partners with entrepreneurs driving disruptive innovation in tech and healthcare. Recently, the firm has backed blockchain projects including Coinbase, TripleMint, and Franklin.
Venrock brings patient capital and an extensive investor network to help its companies scale. With previous early investments in Apple, Intel, and Cisco, Venrock has a long track record of identifying transformative technologies.
- Bitkraft Ventures (Berlin, Germany) 🇩🇪
Bitkraft Ventures is a Berlin-based VC firm focused on investing in blockchain-based gaming, esports, and digital entertainment projects. Founded in 2012, Bitkraft has backed over 50 startups including leading gaming blockchain platforms Immutable and Sorare.
Bitkraft leverages its expertise and experience from the traditional gaming industry to identify the most promising opportunities at the intersection of games and Web3. The Bitkraft team supports portfolio companies with business development, marketing, and global expansion across its worldwide network.
Conclusion
Europe's role as a central hub in the Web3 and crypto arena is undeniable. With a strong foundation of clear regulations, a deep pool of tech talent, and significant investment flowing into innovative startups, Europe is not just participating in the digital future but leading the charge.
The continent's venture capital firms are at the forefront, fueling the growth of new technologies that promise to revolutionize how we interact with the internet and manage finances online. As these firms continue to support groundbreaking projects, Europe solidifies its position as a vital player in shaping the future of global digital infrastructure.
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