Zurich’s Herbert Ventures Launches €32.5 Million Fund I to Back European Founders at Pre-Seed and Seed

Introduction

In a move poised to energize the European startup landscape, Zurich-based Herbert Ventures has launched its inaugural fund, Herbert Ventures Fund I. With a capital pool of €32.5 million, this early-stage venture capital fund is strategically designed to empower pre-Seed and Seed-stage startups across Europe. This announcement marks a significant step for both the firm and the burgeoning entrepreneurs they aim to support.

Main Body

Herbert Ventures Fund I has already made waves with its first investment in DroidRun, a promising German pre-Seed startup. DroidRun is pioneering the MCP (Model Context Protocol) orchestration layer for AI agents in mobile applications—a testament to the fund's focus on cutting-edge innovation.

Ben Simon, a founding partner of Herbert Ventures, emphasizes the importance of backing resilient founders who can navigate the unpredictable tides of the market. "Great founders adapt and find solutions, regardless of what the market does," Simon noted, highlighting the fund's commitment to human capital over fleeting market trends.

Founded in 2026 by Simon and Luis Huber, Herbert Ventures targets "exceptional" DeepTech founders and serial entrepreneurs. By investing before market consensus forms, the firm positions itself as a catalyst for transformative ideas. Simon, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, brings a wealth of experience from his role as co-founder and COO of VAY, an ETH spin-off acquired by BowFlex Inc., along with his involvement in over 15 startups.

Huber complements this with his expertise as a former Senior Partner at QBIT Capital, a Swiss fund with a focus on university spin-offs. Together, they form a formidable team, leveraging their backgrounds in technology and venture capital to scout and support groundbreaking startups.

Insights / Analysis

Herbert Ventures distinguishes itself through its unique investment strategy. By opting not to reserve capital for follow-on investments, the firm eliminates sunk-cost bias and aligns its focus on propelling startups to their next growth stage. This single-shot approach allows Herbert Ventures to offer undivided support to its portfolio companies.

Moreover, the fund's industry-agnostic stance enables it to avoid thematic investing and short-term hype cycles. This flexibility is crucial in a rapidly evolving tech landscape, allowing the firm to remain agile and responsive to diverse opportunities.

Herbert Ventures' commitment to working exclusively with founder teams rather than individual founders underscores its belief in collaborative innovation. With a substantial GP commitment and an 8% hurdle rate, the fund is structured for alignment and transparency, managed through HS Capital AG (Zurich) and structured as a Luxembourg SCSP.

Conclusion

Herbert Ventures Fund I represents a bold and innovative approach to early-stage investing. By prioritizing speed, transparency, and meaningful support, Herbert Ventures addresses common shortcomings in traditional venture capital. This launch not only signals an exciting opportunity for European startups but also sets a new standard for how early-stage investments can be structured to benefit both founders and investors. As the firm continues to make its mark, the European startup ecosystem stands to gain significantly from this fresh infusion of capital and expertise.

Source: EU-Startups