First Momentum Ventures

First Momentum Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology-driven companies across Europe. They focus on sectors such as New Industrials, Energy, and Compute, aiming to support deeply technical founders from the very start of their journey. Their team comprises engineers and scientists from institutions like MIT, KIT, Max Planck, and LMU, enabling them to assess complex technologies effectively.

In April 2025, First Momentum Ventures closed its second fund at €35 million, nearly a tenfold increase from its debut fund in 2018. The firm plans to invest in up to 25 startups, with initial checks ranging from €200,000 to €1 million. Their strategic focus includes industrial automation, grid infrastructure, energy storage, and novel materials. They prefer startups with clear commercial paths, strong unit economics, and near-term applications, avoiding overhyped tech trends.

With a network of over 100 scouts at universities and research institutions, First Momentum Ventures identifies science-based startup teams early on. Their model is complemented by programs like the Spinoff Summit, the PhD Fellowship, and the Deep Tech Napkin, a public framework for tech startups. With almost 50 investments to date, the firm aims to further strengthen Europe's deep tech foundation.