Kembara’s €750M first close signals bold bet on European DeepTech
Barcelona-based investment firm Kembara has announced a landmark €750 million first close for its new €1 billion DeepTech fund, positioning itself as one of Europe’s largest dedicated backers of science-driven innovation. The vehicle is designed to support what the firm calls Europe’s “second renaissance,” channelling capital into breakthrough technologies with global impact.
Backing Europe’s science and engineering edge
The new fund will focus on DeepTech startups built on defensible scientific research and advanced engineering, rather than purely software-led business models. Priority areas are expected to include artificial intelligence, advanced materials, semiconductors, climate tech, robotics and next‑generation computing, where European universities and research institutes already demonstrate strong capabilities.
By concentrating resources on these capital-intensive sectors, Kembara aims to close the persistent financing gap that has historically pushed many European founders and spin‑outs to relocate to the US or Asia in search of growth capital.
Pan-European strategy with Barcelona as a hub
Although headquartered in Barcelona, Kembara is pursuing a clearly pan‑European investment strategy. The fund plans to back companies at early and growth stages, working closely with universities, research labs and technology transfer offices across the continent to commercialise world‑class IP.
The firm’s vision is to help turn Europe’s scientific strengths into globally competitive industrial champions, reinforcing regional technological sovereignty in strategic domains such as energy, infrastructure and digital security.
Significance for Europe’s innovation ecosystem
The €750 million first close is a strong signal to both founders and institutional investors that large‑scale DeepTech financing is gaining momentum in Europe. For startups, it promises access not only to capital, but also to long‑term partners capable of supporting complex R&D roadmaps, industrialisation and global market entry.
For policymakers and corporates, the fund underscores growing private‑sector commitment to strengthening Europe’s role in the next wave of transformative technologies, potentially catalysing further public‑private partnerships and co‑investment initiatives.