Berlin Boosts Deep Tech Scene with New Pre-Seed VC Fund
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Berlin is launching a new €10 million venture capital fund to support scientific spinoffs and strengthen its position as a leading startup hub. The fund specifically targets deep tech startups developing complex, research-intensive solutions in digitalization, biotechnology, energy, and sustainability.
According to information from the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, the fund will address a critical financing gap. Scientific founders from universities and research institutes often struggle to secure pre-seed funding from private investors during the crucial early product development phase.
"Berlin has developed into one of the world's leading startup metropolises within a decade," says Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises. "In the past five years alone, our approximately 5,000 startups and their nearly 100,000 employees have attracted a good €23 billion in investment capital from around the world. We must fully exploit Berlin's potential to remain competitive and crisis-proof."
IBB Ventures GmbH will implement the VC Pre-Seed Fund on behalf of the economic and scientific administrations. The initiative plans to finance 50 startups through convertible loans between €100,000 and €300,000 with terms of one to two years. Beyond financial support, startups will benefit from comprehensive resources including a founding playbook and networking events.
The fund is closely linked to the UNITE initiative, which is effectively creating Europe's largest founding center for science-based startups. First investments are expected by the end of Q3 2025, with EU EFRE program funds supporting the initiative.
Berlin's startup ecosystem currently ranks among Europe's top three alongside London and Paris, with 18 unicorns based in the city as of 2024.
