With remarkable force, Balderton Capital has recently returned to the forefront of attention. In addition to raising $1.3 billion across two new funds, one of the biggest fundraises in European history, the London-based venture capital firm also carried out one of the most well-publicized exits in the fintech industry by selling about $1 billion worth of Revolut shares. These actions have significantly strengthened Balderton’s standing as a stable but strategic force that is closely matched with Europe’s new technological and economic goals.
Timeliness, vision, and accuracy are the reasons for the renewed focus. Balderton announced its two fundraises in August 2024: $685 million for its Growth Fund II and $615 million for its Early Stage Fund IX. The choice to raise both at the same time was especially creative and demonstrated a strategic goal to support Europe’s startup scene at every level of growth. Balderton positioned itself as a key player in European capital formation by obtaining commitments from both new and established international investors.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2000 (as Benchmark Capital Europe, later became independent as Balderton Capital) |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Managing Partner | Bernard Liautaud |
| Recent Fundraising | $1.3 billion raised in 2024 across Early Stage Fund IX and Growth Fund II |
| Investment Focus | European tech startups in AI, cybersecurity, defense, fintech, and industrial innovation |
| Notable Portfolio Companies | Revolut, Dream Games, Wayve, GoCardless, Contentful, PhotoRoom |
| Recent Major Exit | Partial sale of $1 billion in Revolut shares (September 2025) |
| Total Companies Backed | Over 275 since founding |
| Current Team Size | Around 65 across Europe |
| Mission | To back ambitious European founders building sustainable, high-growth companies |
The managing partner of the company, Bernard Liautaud, called the approach “investing in Europe’s independence.” Across the continent, his words have a strong resonance. Balderton’s emphasis on European sovereignty, industrial resilience, and defense technology seems remarkably relevant at a time when supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions have reshaped industrial priorities. The company has focused its capital on long-term societal relevance rather than chasing hype cycles, which has been a remarkably successful strategy in differentiating it from rivals motivated by short-term exits.
The development of European entrepreneurship has always been reflected in Balderton’s path. It has been the driving force behind some of the most revolutionary businesses on the continent over the last 20 years, from Dream Games’ dominance in the entertainment industry to Revolut’s fintech revolution. Its strategy, which is remarkably efficient despite being patient, shows that it understands that innovation frequently takes time to develop. The company’s early involvement with Revolut, which dates back to 2015, demonstrates its capacity to spot lasting value long before the general public does.
Balderton’s 2025 partial exit from Revolut, which involved selling off almost $1 billion worth of shares, was more about creating new momentum than it was about leaving a legacy. Significant funds were made available for reinvestment in cutting-edge industries like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence as a result of the sale. This change demonstrates Balderton’s flexibility, which is especially advantageous for investors navigating volatile markets. By doing this, the company has been able to preserve liquidity while still supporting the newest technological innovations.
Exein, a cybersecurity startup creating AI-driven runtime protection for vital infrastructure, is among its most intriguing endeavors. The company’s goal of a safer, more independent Europe is embodied in its €70 million Series C round, which Balderton is supporting. Balderton’s investment in AI security solutions that safeguard energy and industrial networks is a bet on technological sovereignty as well as profitability, a goal that is consistent with the EU’s overarching strategic direction.
Balderton’s attention to AI is not limited to AI. It has reaped the most rewards from its investment in Wayve, the pioneer of autonomous driving based in London. Wayve just closed one of the biggest AI funding rounds in Europe, demonstrating both investor trust and technological advancement. This fits in perfectly with Balderton’s view that applied intelligence—businesses that use AI to solve extremely specific and commercially relevant problems—rather than just large foundational models is where AI’s future lies. “The next big wins will come from AI applied with precision, not AI scaled for spectacle,” said partner Suranga Chandratillake in a nutshell.
Although this selective approach seems cautious, it works remarkably well. The competition for billion-dollar foundational AI companies is dominated by American investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, but Balderton is concentrating on long-term value creation. In erratic markets, its practical approach of prioritizing depth over flash has proven to be incredibly dependable. It is seen by both founders and investors as a company that prioritizes vision over mania.
Balderton’s human-centered approach is another factor that contributes to its steady success. The company shows that it understands that emotional equilibrium is just as important to leadership success as business savvy through programs like its Founder Wellbeing and Performance Platform. Wayve and Sweep founders have discussed how Balderton’s wellness and coaching initiatives gave them a fresh perspective on leadership. Although these initiatives may seem out of the ordinary in the financial industry, they have proven to be incredibly successful in building resilience in successful business owners.
Over the course of its 25-year history, the company has evolved without going overboard. Balderton was founded as the European division of Benchmark Capital, gained independence in 2000, and has since developed into a vital component of the continent’s innovation economy. Its London headquarters, which is close to King’s Cross, has developed into a thriving center for collaboration, bringing together technologists, investors, and founders through more than 70 ecosystem events each year. This actual location fosters creativity and a sense of purpose, acting as a kind of idea incubator.
Another distinguishing characteristic of Balderton is its sustainability-driven agenda. Its 2020 Sustainable Future Goals show a systematic dedication to ethical investing. These guidelines help portfolio companies expand responsibly by giving social and environmental impact equal weight with profitability. As European founders look for investors who recognize that sustainability and business growth are not mutually exclusive, this forward-thinking viewpoint has grown in value.
Balderton’s comeback is part of a larger European venture capital revival. Over the past ten years, European funds have outperformed U.S. ones, according to data from Invest Europe and Cambridge Associates. Balderton both benefited from and contributed to this trend. Global investors who previously considered European startups to be inferior to Silicon Valley have become more confident due to the company’s methodical approach and emphasis on domestic innovation.
Balderton’s influence is acknowledged even by rivals. Firstminute Capital’s Brent Hoberman commended the company’s discipline, saying it “represents the stability European tech needs.” Investors like Susanne Najafi of BackingMinds, meanwhile, emphasized how much simpler it is for startups to grow without relying on US funding thanks to Balderton’s growth capital. A subtle but important change is reflected in that sentiment: Europe is learning to support itself financially and technologically.
Balderton’s momentum feels more like a renaissance than a comeback after 25 years. It has accepted AI, sustainability, and sovereignty as interrelated themes that will influence Europe in the upcoming ten years. It has become much more visible on the international scene as a result of its recent fundraising success, calculated exits, and careful refocusing. But Balderton’s ability to change with integrity—supporting innovation and the people who are driving it—is what makes it so enduringly relevant.
