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Fund F, the early-stage venture capital fund dedicated to investing in early-stage, gender-diverse founding teams, has successfully closed at €28 million, significantly surpassing its initial target of €20 million. This oversubscription signals strong market confidence in Fund F’s investment thesis and its mission to back female-led and mixed-gender startups at the pre-seed and seed stages across Europe.
At the final closing, the European Investment Fund (EIF) joined as an investor with a €10M commitment, marking a major institutional endorsement for Fund F. This milestone positions Fund F as a key player in European early-stage VC.
Doubling Down on Europe’s Untapped Potential
Since its first closing, Fund F has backed 14 innovative early-stage companies. Recent investments include KOA Biotechnology, which secured €2M to enable more sustainable large-scale aquaculture and AI-BOB, a Swedish B2B SaaS company using AI-powered compliance and error detection in construction, which recently closed a €2M round.
“Reaching our final close at €28M is an incredible milestone, especially as a first-time fund. The strong backing from investors – ranging from institutional players to successful entrepreneurs – validates our approach and demonstrates the market’s appetite for investing in diverse founding teams,” said Nina Wöss, General Partner at Fund F.
A Diverse and Strong Investor Base
Fund F is backed by a diverse group of investors who share its commitment to fostering gender-diverse entrepreneurship. More than one-third of the fund’s investors are women, a notable achievement in an asset class traditionally dominated by male LPs. This diverse backing not only strengthens the fund’s mission but also underscores the growing recognition that investing in female-led ventures drives wealth creation and economic impact.
The fund is supported by leading institutional investors, including Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH through its Venture Capital Initiative, as well as Raiffeisen Landesbank Steiermark and Raiffeisen Holding Niederösterreich-Wien. Additionally, renowned super-angel Hansi Hansmann and the founders of Busuu and Runtastic have joined as key backers, reinforcing the strength of Fund F’s investor network.
The Impact of Investing in Women
Investing in gender-diverse startups is a direct investment in a stronger, more sustainable economy. Fund F is accelerating change by increasing female representation in startups and venture capital, creating a ripple effect across the tech ecosystem. When female-led startups grow, they build more diverse teams, create wealth through ESOPs, and drive economic impact. Successful founders become role models, reinvest as angels & LPs, and fund new ventures. Exits fuel a cycle where more women back the next generation of entrepreneurs. Fund F accelerates this momentum, making the tech ecosystem more inclusive and financially robust.
A Fund Ready to Lead and Scale
With its expanded capital base, Fund F is doubling down on European tech, reinforcing its role as a lead investor in pre-seed and ensuring that female founders receive not just funding, but also operational support. “With this fund, we are not just writing checks—we are shaping the future of European tech by actively supporting female founders as lead investors. EIF’s backing is a testament to the strength of our strategy and the economic opportunity that diverse founding teams represent.” – Lisa-Marie Fassl, General Partner at Fund F.
“A diverse financial ecosystem is a stronger one, and the EIF is committed to making it a reality with support from the InvestEU programme. Fund F’s efforts to boost female representation in startups and venture capital are driving change. We hope this inspires more women to shape the future of tech and investment—benefiting us all.” – Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive at the European Investment Fund.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Fund F’s Impact
Fund F has already built a dedicated investment team, bringing expertise from across Europe, and is now focused on deploying capital into Europe’s most promising female-led and gender-diverse startups. As it continues to grow its portfolio, the fund remains committed to building an equitable and high-performing tech ecosystem.
Fund F is also introducing an Industry Expert Panel to further strengthen the fund’s strategic development and portfolio support. This panel, composed of experienced leaders from across the tech and VC ecosystem, will act as a sparring partner, providing insights on fund strategy, portfolio growth, follow-on investments, and exit planning. Members include Björn Rieckhoff, Florence Aretz and Regina Hodits, bringing deep expertise in growth-stage investing and fund scaling.
“We are only at the beginning,” said Fassl. “This is a massive achievement, but we’re thinking long-term. Our goal is to not only ensure that this fund delivers outstanding results, but also to set the stage for future fund generations.”
Read the orginal article: https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/fund-f-closes-oversubscribed-at-e28m-strengthening-its-position-as-a-leading-vc-for-female-led-startups-in-europe-2/
