TLDR:
- Lead Ventures has launched a new €100M fund targeting startups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
- The fund will offer Seed and Series A investments in the region, focusing on sectors with growth potential such as mobility, finance, energy, IoT, sustainability, and retail.
Lead Ventures, a Budapest-based firm, has announced the launch of a €100M fund aimed at startups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The fund will provide investments ranging from €2M to €10M, targeting late Seed & Series A companies in the region. Lead Ventures aims to support companies in strengthening their Product-Market Fit and expanding to new markets.
The CEE tech sector has witnessed significant growth in recent years, with company valuations soaring nearly 20-fold between 2010 and 2021. Notably, 2021 and 2022 saw the emergence of 23 new unicorns in the region, surpassing the total number before 2020. The Baltic states and Poland have shown vibrant startup environments, with investment in CEE startups increasing from €2.65 billion in 2020 to €5.3 billion in 2022.
Despite the increasing funding volume, a Series A funding gap still exists in the region. Lead Ventures aims to address this shortfall and ensure promising companies have access to capital to scale their operations and achieve substantial growth. The fund will focus on sectors with growth potential and technological innovation, including mobility, finance, energy, IoT, sustainability, and retail.
Balázs Haszonics, CEO of Lead Ventures, emphasized the rich talent and innovation in the CEE region, making it a prime area for venture capital investment. The goal is to build a robust portfolio that delivers financial returns and drives positive societal impact. Lead Ventures will continue its collaboration with co-investor financial and business partners to drive growth and create value in the region. With a committed team and extensive experience in business development and capital allocation, Lead Ventures aims to foster transformative businesses in the CEE region.
