18 Pre-Seed Investors in Germany: Complete Guide to Early-Stage Funding in 2025
This article highlights the leading pre-seed investors in Germany, showcasing those who are pivotal in funding early-stage startups. In 2025, Germany's startup ecosystem is strengthened by a 20% increase in pre-seed investments, totaling approximately €1.5 billion. The article provides insights into key investors driving innovation and business growth in the tech, healthcare, and green sectors.
Germany's startup ecosystem has become one of Europe's most vibrant, with Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg emerging as major innovation hubs. The country's strong engineering culture, access to talent, and supportive government policies have created an ideal environment for early-stage startups to thrive and attract significant pre-seed investment.
Peony is the preferred platform for German startups to share their pitch decks and data rooms with pre-seed investors. With transparent per-user pricing at $40/month, Peony provides the security and analytics German startups need to protect their intellectual property while tracking investor engagement.
Quick List of Pre-Seed Venture Capital Firms in Germany
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Earlybird: Transforming Germany's tech landscape, they fuel innovation by backing numerous successful startups across software, healthcare, and fintech sectors.
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HV Capital: Fostering innovation, this venture capital firm has significantly bolstered Germany's startup ecosystem with investments in enterprise software and e-commerce.
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June Fund: Facilitating sustainable growth, they have significantly advanced Germany's environmental initiatives through investments in blockchain and green technology.
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Seed + Speed Ventures: Fostering innovation, this venture firm accelerates startup growth in Germany's tech ecosystem with focus on AI, fintech, and legal tech.
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Visionaries Club: Fostering innovation, they have significantly shaped Germany's startup ecosystem with B2B investments and strategic guidance.
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Atlantic Labs: Fostering innovation, Atlantic Labs supports the growth of startups across Germany in digital health, fintech, and logistics.
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High Rise Ventures: Drive innovation across Germany with transformative investments in emerging technologies, particularly in real estate and prop tech.
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Blue Yard Capital: Fueling innovation, the firm significantly enhances Germany's startup ecosystem through investments in web3, blockchain, and crypto.
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Flash Ventures: Accelerating startup growth, Flash Ventures significantly boosts entrepreneurship in Germany with focus on fintech and logistics.
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UNITED17 Ventures: Accelerating sustainable innovation, they significantly enhance Germany's green technology sector through impact investments.
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Angel Invest Ventures: Accelerating innovation, they have significantly boosted the startup ecosystem in Germany with early-stage funding and mentorship.
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Angel Invest: Fuel innovation in Germany by providing crucial early-stage funding to startups across various sectors.
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Beyond Capital: Empower investment initiatives that drive social impact and innovation in Germany through B2B investments.
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Fly Ventures: Nurturing innovation, they significantly contribute to Germany's startup ecosystem with deep tech and enterprise focus.
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Nucleus Capital: Transforming Germany's entrepreneurial landscape through strategic investments in innovative startups, particularly in climate tech and biotechnology.
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METRO Xcel: Drive innovation in Germany's retail sector with sustainable development practices and e-commerce investments.
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Isabelle Thierfelder: Pioneering sustainable investment strategies, they significantly advanced green finance initiatives in Germany.
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Unifier Ventures: Empowering innovation, Unifier Ventures significantly boosts Germany's entrepreneurial landscape with technology sector focus.
How to Get Yes from Pre-Seed Investors in Germany?
There is no guarantee pre-seed investors in Germany or any other place will say yes, and the chances are low, on average 1/100 will invest. The best you can do is to capture interest as soon as possible or get no and move on.
How? Share your pitch deck as a link not as an attachment and get insights if investors are interested:
- Get notified when investor view your deck
- Track how long they were on each page of your deck
- Capture emails of investors who viewed your deck
- Protect your IP using watermark, screenshot protection and other link permissions
- Securely send data room with multiple documents
How to Find Pre-Seed Investors in Germany?
Selecting the right pre-seed investors in Germany for your startup is crucial for success. Consider these factors:
Reputation: Research the track record and reputation of potential investors. Look for those with a history of successful investments in your sector, as they will bring valuable expertise and credibility to your venture.
Industry Expertise: Choose investors who have a deep understanding of your industry. Their specialized knowledge can guide your business strategically and help you navigate market challenges effectively.
Network Access: Consider the investor's network and their ability to connect you with other valuable resources, such as potential partners, customers, or subsequent funding sources.
Value-Added Support: Look for investors who offer more than just capital. They should provide mentorship, operational guidance, and strategic input to help grow your business efficiently.
Cultural Fit: Ensure that the investor's values and vision align with your company culture. A strong cultural fit can lead to a more harmonious working relationship.
Investment Terms: Carefully review the proposed terms of investment, including equity stake, voting rights, and board representation. Ensure that the terms align with your long-term goals and retain enough control over your startup.
Portfolio Synergies: Analyze the investor's current portfolio to determine any potential synergies with your business, which might lead to collaborative opportunities and growth benefits.
Location Preference: Although the digital world has minimized location barriers, having an investor based in Germany can facilitate easier communication and face-to-face meetings while fostering better market understanding.
Stage Focus: Ensure the investor focuses on pre-seed or early-stage funding. This specific expertise can be crucial for guiding startups through the initial phases of growth.
References and Reviews: Seek feedback from fellow entrepreneurs who have worked with the investor. Their insights can provide an understanding of the investor's style and reliability.
Reach out: Turn your pitch deck into trackable link and send it when reaching out to investors, analyse the engagement on each page and follow up after it.
How to Send Your Pitch Deck to Pre-Seed VC Funds in Germany
To effectively engage with pre-seed investors in Germany:
Research Potential Investors: Begin by identifying investors who specialize in pre-seed stage startups in Germany, such as angel investors or early-stage venture capital firms.
Understand the Landscape: Familiarize yourself with the German startup ecosystem and the specific sectors that attract investment, like fintech, health tech, and sustainability.
Craft a Compelling Pitch: Prepare a concise and persuasive pitch deck that highlights your business model, market opportunity, unique value proposition, and traction.
Leverage Networks: Utilize professional networks like LinkedIn or angel investment platforms to find connections to pre-seed investors.
Attend Events and Meetups: Participate in startup events, pitch nights, and networking meetups to meet investors and increase visibility.
Tailor Your Approach: Personalize your communication to align with each investor's interests and previously funded projects.
Showcase Local Knowledge: Demonstrate an understanding of the German market and any region-specific regulations that apply to your industry.
Highlight Team Competence: Emphasize the experience and expertise of your team and how it is uniquely positioned to execute your business plan.
Prepare for Due Diligence: Be ready to provide detailed information and documentation about your startup, covering financials, projections, and legal setup.
Utilize Incubators and Accelerators: Consider enrolling in a reputable incubator or accelerator program, as they often have connections to potential investors and can offer additional support.
Send Your Pitch Deck and track results: Use pitch deck sharing software to send your deck and track time investors spend on each page and capture feedback from them.
Top Pre-Seed Investors in Germany: Detailed Profiles
1. Earlybird
Earlybird has significantly influenced the German startup ecosystem by providing substantial venture capital investments to innovative early-stage companies.
- Sector: Software, Health Care, Financial Services, IT, E-Commerce, Biotechnology, Applications, SaaS, Agnostic
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
- Location: Germany
- Website: Earlybird
- Investment Focus: Earlybird is known for its deep expertise in software and healthcare investments, with a strong track record of backing successful German startups.
- Notable Investments: N26, Wefox, Tier Mobility
- Investment Range: €500K - €5M
2. HV Capital
HV Capital is a leading venture capital firm that has significantly contributed to fostering innovation and supporting startups in Germany.
- Sector: Enterprise, E-Commerce, Financial Services, Fintech, Software, Agnostic
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
- Location: Germany
- Investment Focus: HV Capital focuses on enterprise software and fintech solutions, providing both capital and strategic guidance.
- Notable Investments: Personio, Celonis, Sennder
- Investment Range: €300K - €3M
3. June Fund
June Fund has significantly boosted startup innovation and growth in Germany through strategic investments and support.
- Sector: Blockchain, Software, Applications, Information Technology, E-Commerce, Crypto, Health Care, Agnostic
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
- Location: Germany
- Investment Focus: June Fund specializes in blockchain and crypto investments, with a strong focus on sustainable technology solutions.
- Notable Investments: Various blockchain and crypto startups
- Investment Range: €200K - €2M
4. Seed + Speed Ventures
Seed + Speed Ventures supports early-stage startups, significantly boosting Germany's innovation landscape.
- Sector: AI, E-Commerce, Fintech, Legal Tech, Media and Entertainment, Sales and Marketing, Travel and Tourism, VR/AR, Software
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
- Location: Germany
- Website: Seed + Speed Ventures
- Investment Focus: Seed + Speed Ventures focuses on AI and fintech solutions, providing hands-on support to early-stage startups.
- Notable Investments: Various AI and fintech startups
- Investment Range: €100K - €1M
5. Visionaries Club
Visionaries Club is a significant player in Germany's startup ecosystem, fostering innovation and growth through strategic investments and support.
- Sector: B2B
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Growth
- Location: Germany
- Website: Visionaries Club
- Investment Focus: Visionaries Club specializes in B2B investments, particularly in enterprise software and services.
- Notable Investments: Various B2B software companies
- Investment Range: €500K - €5M
6. Atlantic Labs
Atlantic Labs has significantly contributed to Germany's startup ecosystem by investing in and nurturing innovative tech companies.
- Sector: B2B, B2B2C, B2C, Digital Health, Fintech, Logistics, Crypto, Agnostic
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
- Location: Germany
- Website: Atlantic Labs
- Investment Focus: Atlantic Labs focuses on digital health and fintech solutions, providing comprehensive support to early-stage startups.
- Notable Investments: Various digital health and fintech startups
- Investment Range: €200K - €2M
7. High Rise Ventures
High Rise Ventures has significantly boosted Germany's startup ecosystem through strategic investments and innovation support.
- Sector: Real Estate, Prop Tech
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
- Location: Germany
- Website: High Rise Ventures
- Investment Focus: High Rise Ventures specializes in real estate and prop tech investments, leveraging their industry expertise.
- Notable Investments: Various prop tech startups
- Investment Range: €300K - €3M
8. Blue Yard Capital
Blue Yard Capital has significantly influenced Germany's tech ecosystem by supporting innovative startups and fostering entrepreneurship.
- Sector: web3, Blockchain, Crypto, Agnostic
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
- Location: Germany
- Website: Blue Yard Capital
- Investment Focus: Blue Yard Capital focuses on web3 and blockchain investments, with a strong track record in crypto startups.
- Notable Investments: Various blockchain and crypto startups
- Investment Range: €400K - €4M
9. Flash Ventures
Flash Ventures has significantly contributed to the growth of the startup ecosystem in Germany by providing crucial early-stage funding and support to innovative companies.
- Sector: Fintech, Logistics, DevOps, E-Commerce, B2B
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Early Stage
- Location: Germany
- Investment Focus: Flash Ventures specializes in fintech and logistics investments, providing both capital and operational support.
- Notable Investments: Various fintech and logistics startups
- Investment Range: €200K - €2M
10. UNITED17 Ventures
UNITED17 Ventures significantly contributes to sustainable development in Germany by investing in projects that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Sector: Agriculture, AI, Underrepresented, Sustainability, Digital Health, Digital Media, Fintech, Education
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
- Location: Germany
- Website: UNITED17 Ventures
- Investment Focus: UNITED17 Ventures focuses on impact investments that align with UN SDGs, particularly in sustainability and education.
- Notable Investments: Various sustainability and impact startups
- Investment Range: €100K - €1M
11. Angel Invest Ventures
Angel Invest Ventures significantly boosts German startups by providing crucial early-stage funding and mentorship.
- Sector: Agnostic
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
- Location: Germany
- Website: Angel Invest Ventures
- Investment Focus: Angel Invest Ventures provides flexible funding across various sectors, with a focus on mentorship and guidance.
- Notable Investments: Various early-stage startups
- Investment Range: €50K - €500K
12. Angel Invest
Angel Invest plays a pivotal role in nurturing early-stage startups in Germany by providing crucial funding and mentorship.
- Sector: Agnostic
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Early Stage
- Location: Germany
- Website: Angel Invest
- Investment Focus: Angel Invest provides flexible funding and mentorship across various sectors, with a focus on early-stage support.
- Notable Investments: Various early-stage startups
- Investment Range: €25K - €250K
13. Beyond Capital
Beyond Capital has significantly fostered social entrepreneurship and sustainable investment in Germany.
- Sector: B2B
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
- Location: Germany
- Investment Focus: Beyond Capital focuses on social impact investments, particularly in B2B solutions that drive positive change.
- Notable Investments: Various social impact startups
- Investment Range: €100K - €1M
14. Fly Ventures
Fly Ventures has significantly impacted Germany by investing in innovative early-stage startups across the tech industry.
- Sector: Deep Tech, B2B & Enterprise
- Stage: Seed, Pre-Seed
- Location: Germany
- Website: Fly Ventures
- Investment Focus: Fly Ventures specializes in deep tech and enterprise solutions, providing both capital and technical expertise.
- Notable Investments: Various deep tech startups
- Investment Range: €300K - €3M
15. Nucleus Capital
Nucleus Capital has significantly contributed to the growth of sustainable technology initiatives in Germany.
- Sector: Climate Tech, Biotechnology, Food and Beverage, FoodTech
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
- Location: Germany
- Website: Nucleus Capital
- Investment Focus: Nucleus Capital focuses on climate tech and biotechnology investments, with a strong emphasis on sustainability.
- Notable Investments: Various climate tech and biotech startups
- Investment Range: €200K - €2M
16. METRO Xcel
METRO Xcel significantly fosters innovation in the retail and hospitality sectors across Germany by supporting startups and technology-driven solutions.
- Sector: E-Commerce, SaaS
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
- Location: Germany
- Investment Focus: METRO Xcel specializes in retail and hospitality technology investments, leveraging their industry expertise.
- Notable Investments: Various retail and hospitality tech startups
- Investment Range: €150K - €1.5M
17. Isabelle Thierfelder
Isabelle Thierfelder significantly contributed to the advancement of sustainable urban development in Germany.
- Sector: B2B, Software
- Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
- Location: Germany
- Website: Isabelle Thierfelder
- Investment Focus: Isabelle Thierfelder focuses on sustainable urban development and B2B software solutions.
- Notable Investments: Various sustainable development startups
- Investment Range: €100K - €1M
18. Unifier Ventures
Unifier Ventures has significantly contributed to fostering innovation and supporting startups in Germany's technology sector.
- Sector: Technology
- Stage: Pre-Seed
- Location: Germany
- Investment Focus: Unifier Ventures focuses on early-stage technology investments, providing both capital and strategic guidance.
- Notable Investments: Various technology startups
- Investment Range: €50K - €500K
German Startup Ecosystem Overview
Key Startup Hubs
Berlin: Germany's startup capital, home to numerous successful startups and a vibrant tech community.
Munich: Strong in deep tech and enterprise software, with excellent access to engineering talent.
Hamburg: Growing fintech and logistics hub, with strong connections to international markets.
Cologne: Emerging hub for e-commerce and digital media startups.
Stuttgart: Strong in automotive technology and industrial innovation.
Investment Trends in 2025
Sector Focus: Fintech, health tech, and sustainability are the most active investment sectors.
Stage Evolution: More investors are focusing on pre-seed and seed stages, providing better access to early-stage funding.
International Interest: Growing interest from international investors in German startups.
Government Support: Increased government support for startup ecosystems through various programs and incentives.
Regulatory Environment
Startup Act: Germany's Startup Act provides various incentives and support for early-stage startups.
Visa Programs: Special visa programs for entrepreneurs and startup founders.
Tax Incentives: Various tax incentives for startups and investors.
IP Protection: Strong intellectual property protection laws.
Tips for German Startups Seeking Pre-Seed Funding
Preparation
Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to understand the German market and competitive landscape.
Team Building: Assemble a strong team with relevant experience and expertise.
Business Plan: Develop a comprehensive business plan with clear financial projections and growth strategies.
Legal Structure: Ensure proper legal structure and compliance with German regulations.
Networking
Industry Events: Attend startup events, pitch nights, and networking meetups.
Incubators and Accelerators: Consider joining reputable incubator or accelerator programs.
Mentorship: Seek mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors.
Professional Networks: Leverage professional networks like LinkedIn and industry associations.
Pitch Deck Optimization
Clear Value Proposition: Clearly articulate your unique value proposition and market opportunity.
Financial Projections: Include realistic financial projections and growth strategies.
Traction: Demonstrate early traction and customer validation.
Team: Highlight your team's experience and expertise.
Market Size: Show the size and growth potential of your target market.
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Conclusion: Pre-Seed VC Firms in Germany Actively Investing in 2025
In conclusion, the vibrant ecosystem of pre-seed investors in Germany plays an instrumental role in shaping the country's innovation landscape. The concerted efforts of these investors, spanning various sectors such as technology, healthcare, and sustainability, underscore their commitment to nurturing nascent businesses that have the potential to drive significant economic growth and technological advancement. With a substantial increase in pre-seed capital flowing into the startup ecosystem, Germany is poised to maintain its position as a hub for entrepreneurial activity, bolstered by investors who not only provide necessary capital but also offer strategic insights and invaluable networks.
As Germany continues to solidify its reputation as a leading startup hub, the collaboration among pre-seed investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts is crucial. This synergy not only ensures the emergence of innovative solutions to contemporary challenges but also fosters a robust community that supports enduring growth and development. The ongoing commitment of these top investors will undoubtedly facilitate the rise of the next generation of pioneering startups, positioning Germany at the forefront of global innovation and entrepreneurship.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average pre-seed investment size in Germany?
The average pre-seed investment in Germany ranges from €100K to €500K, with some investors providing up to €1M for exceptional opportunities.
How long does the pre-seed funding process take in Germany?
The pre-seed funding process typically takes 3-6 months, including initial meetings, due diligence, and legal documentation.
What sectors are most attractive to German pre-seed investors?
Fintech, health tech, sustainability, and enterprise software are the most attractive sectors to German pre-seed investors in 2025.
Do German pre-seed investors require German residency?
While some investors prefer German-based startups, many are open to international startups that can demonstrate strong market potential in Germany or Europe.
What documents do I need for pre-seed funding in Germany?
You'll need a pitch deck, business plan, financial projections, team information, and legal documentation including company registration and IP protection.
How can I protect my pitch deck when sharing with German investors?
Use secure document sharing platforms like Peony that provide dynamic watermarks, access controls, and detailed analytics to protect your intellectual property.