Europe’s premier demo day organizer is crossing the divide from matchmaker to investor. Onstage has officially launched its debut venture fund with an initial close of £10 million, promising to inject capital into the very ecosystem it has helped nurture since 2020. This strategic move signals a major shift in how early stage founders across the continent might secure their first significant checks.
From Event Host to Active Investor
The transition from hosting events to cutting checks is a natural evolution for Onstage. For years, they have served as the bridge between nervous founders and hungry investors. Now, they are putting their own skin in the game. The firm announced that this new fund will target pre-seed and seed stage companies across Europe.
The goal is ambitious yet precise. Onstage plans to execute approximately 80 investments over the next three years. This high volume approach suggests they are looking to build a broad portfolio of high potential startups. It also indicates they are confident in their ability to spot winners early.
Joel Hambly, the founding partner leading this new venture, described the move as a clear next step. He noted that the fund will enjoy a close relationship with their famous demo days. This means the fund gets a first look at the talent coming through their pipeline. It effectively solves the hardest problem in venture capital which is deal flow.
Here is what the new fund structure looks like:
- Target Amount: Initial close at £10 million.
- Focus: Pre-seed and Seed stage founders.
- Volume: Around 80 startups over three years.
- Geography: Pan-European focus.
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Onstage venture fund launch new european investment capital
A Proven Track Record of Success
Investors love data, and Onstage has plenty of it to back up this new launch. Since its inception in 2020, the platform has been a powerhouse for fundraising. It was founded by Hector Mason of Episode 1 and Taos Edmondson of dmg ventures, with Issie James leading operations. They have created a machine that churns out success stories.
The numbers are staggering. Their flagship demo day has showcased more than 2,000 startups. These aren’t just random companies. They have worked with over 330 venture funds from both Europe and the US. Big names like Sequoia, a16z, Balderton, and LocalGlobe are regulars at these events.
Finalists from previous demo days have collectively raised more than £500 million in follow-on funding. This proves that Onstage knows how to pick quality companies. Success stories include Scan.com, which raised £60 million, and Lawhive, which secured £44 million.
“We can’t wait to support Europe’s next wave of founders, who are ready to compete and win on a global stage.” — Joel Hambly, Founding Partner.
By launching this fund, Onstage is telling the market that they want to capture some of the value they create. Instead of just handing off these great companies to other VCs, they will now participate in the upside.
Heavy Hitters Join the Ranks
A fund is only as good as the people behind it. Onstage has assembled an impressive roster of partners and advisors. This isn’t just a local effort. They have brought in serious international firepower.
Peter Simon, the President of US investment firm Simon Sports, has joined as a Partner and investor. His involvement is a massive vote of confidence from the American market. It suggests that US investors see untapped value in European tech.
The Limited Partners (LPs) backing the fund include a mix of successful founders and seasoned investors. Notable names include Alex Chesterman, a well known figure in the startup world. Additionally, General Partners from Concept Ventures, Creator Ventures, Chapter One, and Episode 1 have put their money in.
To ensure they pick the best startups, Onstage has formed a unique investment committee. This group includes external members from top tier firms:
- Emma Phillips from LocalGlobe
- Laura McGinnis from Balderton
- Jamesin Seidel from Chapter One
This external committee is a smart play. It gives the new fund instant credibility and deepens ties with the biggest players in the industry. It ensures that the startups Onstage backs have a clear path to raising more money from these top funds later on.
Strengthening the European Ecosystem
The launch of this fund is about more than just money. It is about infrastructure. Onstage is building a complete ecosystem for founders. They already run a large gathering for General Partners and Limited Partners. Their most recent event attracted 350 GP applicants.
This network effect is their secret weapon. In the startup world, who you know is often as important as what you build. Onstage creates a platform where founders can meet investors, and investors can meet each other.
The symbiotic relationship between the events and the fund creates a flywheel effect. better events attract better startups. Better startups attract more investors. More investors make the fund more successful.
For a founder, getting investment from Onstage now comes with a massive perk. It comes with a stamp of approval that the rest of the European venture market recognizes. It opens doors to a network that has taken years to build.
In a time when fundraising has become harder for many, this new source of capital is a breath of fresh air. It shows that despite economic headwinds, smart money is still betting big on European innovation.
Conclusion
Onstage has successfully evolved from a connector to a capitalist. By launching this £10 million fund, they are cementing their position at the heart of the European startup scene. With a solid history of identifying winners like Scan.com and a powerful network of top tier partners, they are well positioned to find the next unicorns. For founders across Europe, this is a welcome development. It provides not just capital, but a direct line to the most influential people in the industry. The next three years will be exciting to watch as they deploy this capital into 80 new companies.
What do you think about event organizers becoming investors? Does this model give them an unfair advantage in spotting talent? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you are excited about European tech, share this story on social media using #EuropeanTech.
