Securing venture capital is a pivotal milestone for any startup. However, many founders overlook one critical truth: you’re not just pitching your startup to investors — you’re also selecting a partner who can significantly influence your company’s future.
With over 4,000 venture capital firms operating across Europe, navigating the sea of potential investors to pitch can feel overwhelming. How can founders cut through the noise to identify VCs who genuinely offer more than just capital? Which European VCs are known for going above and beyond in providing mentorship, strategic guidance, operational support, and meaningful network connections?
That’s exactly what we want to know, and we need your input to pinpoint which early-stage VCs stand out for their exceptional founder support and value-added contributions beyond investment.
Take our quick, anonymous survey and share your insights by clicking here—it only takes 4 minutes! Your input will help us rank Europe’s best early-stage VCs—those who truly support founders beyond just capital.
Six value-adds VCs should offer startups beyond capital
While funding is essential, the best VCs should provide much more — strategic guidance, access to key networks, hiring support, and even help navigating regulatory challenges. Here are 6 of the most impactful ways VCs can support startups beyond capital:
- Market validation: Providing insights into industry trends and product-market fit.
- Network access: Opening doors to potential partners, clients, and industry leaders.
- Talent acquisition: Connecting startups with top-tier talent and advisors.
- Marketing and growth strategy: Offering expertise in customer acquisition and budget optimization.
- Regulatory and compliance guidance: Helping startups navigate complex legal frameworks.
- Financial planning: Offering a critical lens on budgeting, scaling, and risk management.
Not to mention the invaluable brand impact if a startup gets investment from a top-tier VC, which opens endless doors to talent, follow-on investors, clients, and more.
As Kyrillos Akritides, Co-founder & Managing Director at Schwarzwald Capital said in a previous article: “Many may believe that with the right amount of funding, every problem can be solved. However, this notion can be misleading—knowledge and guidance are sometimes more valuable than money.”
Take the Survey
Which European VCs go above and beyond to support startups? Who has helped you the most—and who fell short of expectations?
Click here to take our quick, anonymous 4-minute survey and share your perspective. Help us rank Europe’s best VCs and empower fellow founders to make informed choices.