Balderton Capital based in London is a leading venture capital firm in Europe focused exclusively on backing the best technology companies in the region. Now, the company announced that it has raised its second fund of 2021 for $600 million. This new fund is focused on early-stage companies to support its mission and be the leading provider of venture capital to support European startups that have global ambitions. So far, the firm has raised four funds totalling close to $2 billion since 2018 and has active investments in more than 100 companies, employing more than 26,000 people in 50 countries around the world. The new fund will be sector agnostic and managed by Balderton’s investment team of 25 working across Europe. The equal partnership will work together to share experience and insights to the benefit of the entire portfolio. With Europe on track to raise a record $70 billion of venture capital investment by the end of the year, more than twice the total for 2020, Balderton Capital has doubled down on its commitment to building the next generation of global tech companies from the region.
With close to 300 investments completed since its debut in 2000, Balderton has extensive experience backing exceptional founders from seed to growth stage across Europe. In 2021, Balderton has invested in 20 new startups in sectors ranging from reproductive health and instant commerce to data labelling and gaming. Balderton’s portfolio companies have collectively raised more than $6 billion so far this year, which is almost double the $3.1 billion it raised in the whole of 2020. The four portfolio companies include Darktrace, Flywire, SOPHiA Genetics and Truecaller that have gone public in landmark European IPOs. Also, the firm has witnessed 10 exits, including Peakon’s sale to Workday, Nutmeg’s sale to JPMorgan Chase and Depop’s sale to Etsy. The company is focused on its commitment to building a sustainable and fair venture firm by publishing its Sustainable Future Goals – 60 objectives designed to reduce its impact on the environment, increase its social diversity and improve its governance.