Berlin-based Cherry Ventures has announced the launch of Cherry V, securing $500 million in new funding. The capital will be split between an Early Stage fund and an Opportunity fund focused on supporting Series B and later-stage portfolio companies.
Cherry Ventures’ bold vision is to help create Europe’s first trillion-dollar company, signaling strong confidence in the region’s potential despite ongoing challenges in the venture capital landscape and competition from the US.
The firm stated:
“Europe’s foundation is strong. With 35,000 early-stage startups—more than any other region—and a tech workforce that’s grown 7x since 2015, we have all the right ingredients: world-class talent, deep research capabilities, and thriving tech hubs. What we need now is a cultural shift towards greater innovation and collaboration.”
Focused on Long-Term Partnerships
Founded in 2012 by Filip Dames and Christian Meermann, Cherry Ventures is led by former entrepreneurs and operators with experience building companies like Zalando, Spotify, and Uber. The firm typically invests between €2 million and €7 million in early-stage startups, often acting as a founder’s first institutional investor.
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With a portfolio of over 130 companies, Cherry Ventures invests across sectors including:
- Consumer and industrials
- B2B software
- Fintech
- Healthtech
- Climate tech
Backed by a Strong Network
Cherry Ventures’ investor network includes notable founders like Ilkka Paananen (Supercell), Miki Kuusi (Wolt), and Jochen Engert (FlixBus), all of whom are aligned with the firm’s mission to elevate Europe’s tech ecosystem.
A Call for Collaboration
The firm emphasized the need for collaboration between policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors to make Europe the best place in the world to build a tech company:
“With new world leaders prioritizing the tech sector, it’s time for Europe to take charge of its destiny in the global tech race.”
With its latest $500 million fund, Cherry Ventures is doubling down on its commitment to support the next wave of European tech giants, fostering an environment where groundbreaking companies can thrive.
