Analysis/Venture
French VC fundraising shifts towards sector specialisation
A number of specialist VC funds have held first or final closes in recent months, bringing distinct advantages and risks in equal measure
EIF’s push into private capital management
The European Investment Fund is aiming to raise up to €2.1bn in private capital for a new investment platform focused on venture and growth vehicles
Italian venture moves upmarket as overall activity dips
Venture dealflow and aggregate value decreased in 2017 following five years of growth, as VCs turned their attention to later-stage rounds
Nordic tech's transatlantic ambition
Nordic startups are increasingly looking to find backers with ties to the US market to support their growth strategies
Deals accelerate in German online marketplaces
Three transactions in the space within the first two months of 2018 saw PE firms invest a combined €500m and cash out more than €700m
VCs tread cautiously around blockchain craze
VC activity in cryptocurrency has increased, but despite eye-catching deals, their volume is not as high as the wider enthusiasm would suggest
ICOs and venture capital: friends or foes?
With Asgard becoming the first European VC to hold a coin offering for its new fund, ICOs might present opportunities for institutional fund managers
The lure of consumer-focused fintech
European fintech companies are attracting increasingly large investment rounds
Entrepreneurial spirit helps French VC fundraising rebound
Venture fundraising reaches 2016 levels with two months left of the year, with early-stage and expansion dealflow also on the up
Just rewards: Crowdfunding for German VC-backed startups
Rewards-based crowdfunding is not only more popular among VC investors, it is beneficial to startups too
Artificial intelligence offers smart opportunities for PE
Once the domain of early-stage VC investors, the AI segment is now attracting the attention of private equity buyers
French venture expected to flourish under Macron
VCs welcome the arrival of a president who is likely to encourage a more favourable investment landscape
VC backers fuel DACH's tech-driven transport boom
Venture-backed startups are capitalising on the slow progress made in the region by corporate giant Uber
Insurtech puts a premium on technology
PE and VC players turn their attention to the insurance space as fintech's next scalable disruption opportunity
Belgium aiming to boost fintech investments
New Belgian-focused fintech initiative will develop close ties with London and bridge the gap between the UK and Europe
Tech and venture lead the way in May’s post-Brexit vision
UK government hopes venture and technology growth will ameliorate financial services exit
Hope hangs on VC deals as Ukrainian buyouts disappear
Positive trends in growth deals driven by interest in the software and IT sectors
Food tech: first warning signs as consolidation sets in
Deliveroo's $275m round shows the market remains frothy, but other recent news highlight the challenges facing startups and their VCs
German PE develops a growing appetite for startups
VCs including Earlybird's Brandis discuss the growing trend of private equity houses taking part in growth capital deals within the country
Co-investing with corporate venture is not without its pitfalls
Venture capital firms can benefit from cooperation with CVCs but must be wary of those that value strategy over returns
PE & VC key for French economy, says minister Macron
Speaking at the Afic Annual Conference 2016 in Paris at the end of May, Emmanuel Macron had kind words for the industry
VC financial engineering fuelling tech bubble?
Downside protection in later VC-backed funding rounds is increasingly presented as justification for growing valuations
Nordic startup bloom may wither without government support
As Nordic cities continue to foster successful startups, should governments be doing more to improve affordability?
Deal in Focus: Disruptive travel firms are hot Tiqets for VCs
An in-depth look at Capital Mills' investment in mobile ticketing company Tiqets
