Samaipata Unleashes €110M Fund III for European AI Startups
March 13, 2026, 9:50 am
Samaipata unveiled its €110 million Fund III, aiming to fuel early-stage AI-native startups across Europe. Securing €70 million already, including support from SETT and KfW, the fund targets 25-30 companies. Investments will reach up to €10 million per startup. The focus is B2B application-layer AI with global scaling potential. Samaipata leverages a strong track record, having backed over 44 firms, with high Series A progression rates. This initiative addresses Europe's venture capital needs, cultivating future tech champions through extensive founder support and strategic tech partnerships. It capitalizes on AI's transition from experimental to impactful, positioning Europe for global tech leadership.
European tech receives a significant boost. Samaipata, a pan-European venture capital firm, announced its third fund. Samaipata III targets €110 million. It will back early-stage AI-native startups across the continent. This fund signals robust confidence in European innovation.
The fundraising process is already underway. Samaipata secured €70 million in its initial close. Key institutional investors include Spain’s SETT and Germany’s KfW. Prominent Spanish family offices also contributed. Founders previously backed by Samaipata are reinvesting. Their commitment validates Samaipata’s approach.
This new fund specifically targets AI-native businesses. The focus is application-layer products. These startups must demonstrate international scalability from inception. The firm seeks projects simplifying AI deployment. Real-world use cases are paramount. B2B environments are a primary target. Europe holds a strong position in this sector. It can scale competitive technology globally.
Samaipata will invest in 25 to 30 early-stage companies. Each startup could receive up to €10 million over time. This substantial backing fosters long-term growth. The firm believes AI is transitioning. It moves from experimental stages to critical integration. This creates tangible impact. The opportunity is clear: invest in teams applying AI in complex markets. The goal is building globally relevant companies from Europe.
Samaipata was founded in 2016. José del Barrio and Eduardo Díez-Hochleitner established the firm. Del Barrio co-founded La Nevera Roja, a leading food delivery platform. It sold for €85.9 million. Díez-Hochleitner is Chairman of Másmóvil Group. He also founded IMM Sound, a 3D audio tech company acquired by Dolby. Their entrepreneurial roots guide Samaipata’s investment philosophy.
The firm manages €250 million in assets. It has already backed 44 startups across Europe. These include Matera, Nory, Embat, and VIVLA. Notable portfolio success is evident. 80% of Fund I companies advanced to Series A. 60% of Fund II companies reached Series A within five years. Leading international later-stage VCs backed these advancements. Firms like Accel, Creandum, and Index Ventures participated.
Deporvillage stands out as a significant exit. It was sold to JD Sports. The valuation increased 25-fold from initial investment to exit. This success story highlights Samaipata’s ability to identify high-growth potential.
Samaipata III continues to leverage the firm's Founder Success platform. This platform goes beyond capital. It accelerates portfolio growth. Founders access a network of Operating Partners. These partners have experience from Anthropic, Google, Airbnb, Spotify, and N26. They provide strategic insight. Practical operational expertise is offered at critical development stages.
The firm also facilitates connections. It links startups with potential clients and talent. Partnerships with leading technology companies are crucial. Nvidia, Anthropic, Microsoft Azure, and Google Gemini collaborate. These partnerships boost technical capabilities. They enhance commercial traction. This holistic support system differentiates Samaipata. It aims to build robust, resilient companies.
The launch of Samaipata III comes at a critical time for European tech. While funding continues for promising ventures, the broader landscape faces challenges. A recent survey by Bitkom highlighted capital scarcity in Germany. Nearly half of German startups plan to raise capital this year. A quarter consider leaving Germany due to insufficient funding. This underlines the need for more venture capital. Samaipata’s new fund directly addresses this gap. It provides essential early-stage capital. It supports growth within the European ecosystem.
Despite individual company struggles, the drive for profitability persists. N26, a prominent European fintech, reported a €42 million loss in 2024. This was an improvement from €102.4 million the prior year. The company aims for sustainable profitability by the second half of 2025. This shows the long road to maturity for some tech unicorns. Yet, it underscores the market’s dynamism. Investors seek clear paths to financial health.
Samaipata's new fund is a strategic move. It taps into the rapidly expanding software market. AI development shortens development cycles. It enables new categories of use cases. Europe is uniquely positioned for this technological shift. The continent boasts strong engineering talent. It has diverse complex markets. This creates fertile ground for B2B AI solutions.
The firm’s expansion solidifies its pan-European investor base. Samaipata’s track record spans Spain, the UK, France, and Germany. This new fund will continue to fuel innovation across these key markets. It is poised to back the next generation of European tech leaders. Samaipata III represents a strong vote of confidence in Europe's AI future. It supports the ambition to build global technology champions from within the continent.
European tech receives a significant boost. Samaipata, a pan-European venture capital firm, announced its third fund. Samaipata III targets €110 million. It will back early-stage AI-native startups across the continent. This fund signals robust confidence in European innovation.
The fundraising process is already underway. Samaipata secured €70 million in its initial close. Key institutional investors include Spain’s SETT and Germany’s KfW. Prominent Spanish family offices also contributed. Founders previously backed by Samaipata are reinvesting. Their commitment validates Samaipata’s approach.
This new fund specifically targets AI-native businesses. The focus is application-layer products. These startups must demonstrate international scalability from inception. The firm seeks projects simplifying AI deployment. Real-world use cases are paramount. B2B environments are a primary target. Europe holds a strong position in this sector. It can scale competitive technology globally.
Samaipata will invest in 25 to 30 early-stage companies. Each startup could receive up to €10 million over time. This substantial backing fosters long-term growth. The firm believes AI is transitioning. It moves from experimental stages to critical integration. This creates tangible impact. The opportunity is clear: invest in teams applying AI in complex markets. The goal is building globally relevant companies from Europe.
Samaipata was founded in 2016. José del Barrio and Eduardo Díez-Hochleitner established the firm. Del Barrio co-founded La Nevera Roja, a leading food delivery platform. It sold for €85.9 million. Díez-Hochleitner is Chairman of Másmóvil Group. He also founded IMM Sound, a 3D audio tech company acquired by Dolby. Their entrepreneurial roots guide Samaipata’s investment philosophy.
The firm manages €250 million in assets. It has already backed 44 startups across Europe. These include Matera, Nory, Embat, and VIVLA. Notable portfolio success is evident. 80% of Fund I companies advanced to Series A. 60% of Fund II companies reached Series A within five years. Leading international later-stage VCs backed these advancements. Firms like Accel, Creandum, and Index Ventures participated.
Deporvillage stands out as a significant exit. It was sold to JD Sports. The valuation increased 25-fold from initial investment to exit. This success story highlights Samaipata’s ability to identify high-growth potential.
Samaipata III continues to leverage the firm's Founder Success platform. This platform goes beyond capital. It accelerates portfolio growth. Founders access a network of Operating Partners. These partners have experience from Anthropic, Google, Airbnb, Spotify, and N26. They provide strategic insight. Practical operational expertise is offered at critical development stages.
The firm also facilitates connections. It links startups with potential clients and talent. Partnerships with leading technology companies are crucial. Nvidia, Anthropic, Microsoft Azure, and Google Gemini collaborate. These partnerships boost technical capabilities. They enhance commercial traction. This holistic support system differentiates Samaipata. It aims to build robust, resilient companies.
The launch of Samaipata III comes at a critical time for European tech. While funding continues for promising ventures, the broader landscape faces challenges. A recent survey by Bitkom highlighted capital scarcity in Germany. Nearly half of German startups plan to raise capital this year. A quarter consider leaving Germany due to insufficient funding. This underlines the need for more venture capital. Samaipata’s new fund directly addresses this gap. It provides essential early-stage capital. It supports growth within the European ecosystem.
Despite individual company struggles, the drive for profitability persists. N26, a prominent European fintech, reported a €42 million loss in 2024. This was an improvement from €102.4 million the prior year. The company aims for sustainable profitability by the second half of 2025. This shows the long road to maturity for some tech unicorns. Yet, it underscores the market’s dynamism. Investors seek clear paths to financial health.
Samaipata's new fund is a strategic move. It taps into the rapidly expanding software market. AI development shortens development cycles. It enables new categories of use cases. Europe is uniquely positioned for this technological shift. The continent boasts strong engineering talent. It has diverse complex markets. This creates fertile ground for B2B AI solutions.
The firm’s expansion solidifies its pan-European investor base. Samaipata’s track record spans Spain, the UK, France, and Germany. This new fund will continue to fuel innovation across these key markets. It is poised to back the next generation of European tech leaders. Samaipata III represents a strong vote of confidence in Europe's AI future. It supports the ambition to build global technology champions from within the continent.