DFF Ventures’ €70 million Fund III signals strong European pre-Seed Investment trends in 2026

Dutch pre-Seed VC firm DFF Ventures has just announced the close of their third fund; DFF Ventures III, oversubscribed at €70 million in order to invest from inception stage onwards in startups building software and AI solutions for underdigitised industries.

The fund was originally launched back in September 2025 (as covered by EU-Startups) with €50 million already committed and a brand new name – they formerly operated as the Dutch Founders Fund.

“That’s what makes this fund special. Our LPs understand what we invest in: software that touches the real world. Logistics, trade, operations – industries where defensibility comes from years of insights, network and data. Not something you can copy overnight,” shared Patrick Kerssemakers, Founding Partner, in a public statement.

The closure of DFF Ventures’ Fund III reflects a broader surge in European pre-Seed and early-stage venture capital activity throughout 2026.

This momentum is best highlighted by a series of significant fund announcements across the continent, each targeting sectors such as AI, DeepTech, and sustainability. In Germany, Vanagon Ventures secured €20 million for its Fund I, focusing on pre-Seed B2B startups addressing system-level challenges through AI and DeepTech. Similarly, Ananda Impact Ventures completed a €73 million first close to back European impact startups, further cementing Munich’s role as a hub for early-stage investment.

Beyond Germany, The Footprint Firm in Copenhagen raised €76 million for its Footprint Fund I, targeting early-stage climate and DeepTech companies in Northern Europe, while Swiss Constructor Capital closed a €92.8 million debut fund to support DeepTech, software, and EdTech startups globally. Lithuania’s FIRSTPICK launched a €25 million fund to empower Baltic founders at the inception stage, and Paris-based Elaia announced a €134 million DeepTech Seed fund, doubling the size of its previous funds to back B2B startups across Europe.

“Since opening our fund roughly six months ago, the world has only grown more uncertain. And when there is uncertainty, it’s easy to flock to consensus. But consensus kills returns. That’s why we have always stuck to our core thesis since fund I: we believe the hard part is the real world, not the code,” said the VC in a public statement.

Collectively, these funds represent approximately €420 million in disclosed capital for 2026, signalling a strong commitment to fostering innovation in underdigitised industries and foundational technologies.

DFF Ventures is a pre-Seed VC firm founded by entrepreneurs behind companies such as WeTransfer, fonQ, Just Eat and Treatwell. With ticket sizes ranging from €250k to €2.5 million, DFF invests from the ideation stage onwards in startups building digital solutions for underdigitised industries.

The fund focuses on Vertical AI, recommerce platforms and marketplaces, and invests globally while keeping Europe as its foundation.

That means software and AI companies touching physical operations: Fleequid moving buses, Vintage Cash Cow trading antiques, NorthLadder refurbished electronics, METYCLE sorting scrap metal, and Liablix handling damage claims.

The VC says that Fund III will allow them to continue to invest from inception stage onwards in companies building software for the backbone. This time not only in EU, but from everywhere in the world.

With fund III, they’ve welcomed 7 new companies and expect to welcome more.

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