360 Capital Advances Deeptech Strategy with €85M First Close
European venture firm 360 Capital, known as an early backer of health-tech brand Withings, has secured €85 million toward a targeted €100 million deeptech fund. The vehicle is designed to support early-stage European startups building defensible technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors and advanced industrial automation.
Focus on European Deeptech and Industrial Innovation
The new fund will concentrate on pre-seed and Series A rounds, backing founders who are turning cutting-edge research into commercial products. By prioritising capital-intensive, IP-rich businesses, 360 Capital aims to bridge the gap between European laboratories and global markets, a segment often underserved by traditional venture capital investors.
Portfolio companies are expected to span sectors including digital health, next-generation manufacturing, climate-related hardware and embedded AI algorithms. The firm intends to provide not only funding but also strategic support on industrial partnerships, regulatory pathways and international expansion.
Institutional Backing and Market Context
The €85 million first close is understood to be backed by a mix of institutional investors, family offices and strategic corporate partners seeking exposure to the European deeptech ecosystem. Their commitments reflect growing confidence that Europe’s strong academic base and engineering talent can produce globally competitive technology champions.
Despite a broader slowdown in late-stage technology financing, specialist funds focusing on deeptech and hard-tech have continued to attract interest, as investors look for differentiated assets with long-term defensibility. By targeting a final close of €100 million, 360 Capital positions itself to lead or co-lead multiple early rounds across the continent.
Signal for Founders and the European Ecosystem
For founders, the fund represents a fresh pool of capital at a time when building complex hardware and infrastructure remains expensive and risky. For the wider ecosystem, it is another signal that European innovation in areas like AI, IoT and advanced electronics is drawing sustained institutional attention, potentially accelerating the emergence of new industrial leaders over the coming decade.