Creator Fund secures $56M to back Europe's boldest deep tech startups

Creator Fund has closed its first European fund at $56 million, making it the largest student-run investment fund worldwide. The firm specialises in backing deep tech startups across Europe, often before founders even prepare a pitch deck. This latest funding round solidifies its position as a pioneer in early-stage scientific investment. Since its launch in 2019, Creator Fund has supported 62 companies in total. Last year, it returned its first fund after selling Loci to Epic Games. Now, with $56 million in fresh capital, it aims to expand its reach even further.

The fund focuses on frontier technology—ideas that blur the line between science fiction and reality. Its investment strategy relies on a network of students across 30 universities in 10 countries. These teams identify promising scientific founders at the earliest stages. KfW Capital, a subsidiary of Germany’s state-owned KfW bank, leads the investment as the largest backer. The fund has already deployed capital into 11 new startups, including Ovo Labs, Latent Worlds, Anzen Industries, and SPhotonix. In just six months, two of its portfolio companies have surpassed $100 million in total funding. Beyond funding, Creator Fund runs a 20-part Scientific Founder programme. Over 250 students have used the initiative to launch their own companies. The model combines early-stage capital with hands-on support, helping founders turn research into scalable businesses.

The $56 million fund positions Creator Fund as a key player in Europe’s deep tech ecosystem. Its student-sourcing approach and focus on pre-pitch-deck startups set it apart from traditional venture capital. With a growing portfolio and institutional backing, the fund continues to accelerate scientific innovation across the continent.