Herbert Ventures Launches €32.5M Fund I to Back Europe’s Next…

Team S · 2026-04-09T15:34:00.000Z

Zurich-based venture capital firm Herbert Ventures has launched its inaugural €32.5 million Fund I, aimed at backing early-stage startups across Europe, signaling continued momentum in the region’s deeptech investment ecosystem. Founded in 2026 by Ben Simon and Luis Huber, Herbert Ventures is positioning itself as a dedicated early-stage investor focusing on pre-seed and seed-stage opportunities, particularly supporting exceptional founders building in deeptech and emerging technology domains. The fund has already completed its first close and made its initial investment in DroidRun, a German startup developing orchestration layers for AI agents in mobile applications, highlighting the firm’s focus on cutting-edge innovation from the outset. Herbert Ventures follows a founder-first approach, emphasizing execution over market narratives and prioritizing speed, transparency, and direct engagement with entrepreneurs. Unlike traditional venture models, the firm does not reserve capital for follow-on investments, instead focusing on helping startups reach their next stage without bias toward additional funding commitments. The fund is expected to back around 30 startups across Europe, with a strong focus on the DACH region, while maintaining an industry-agnostic strategy that allows it to stay flexible amid rapidly evolving technology trends. This approach reflects a broader shift in venture capital toward early conviction and deeper founder alignment rather than thematic or hype-driven investing. As Europe continues to strengthen its position in global innovation, funds like Herbert Ventures are playing a crucial role in supporting the earliest stages of startup development, particularly in deeptech sectors that require patient capital and long-term vision.

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Herbert Ventures Launches €32.5M Fund I to Back Europe’s Next… | Newnex