Earlybird, a European venture capital firm with nearly three decades of investing history, has closed its oversubscribed Fund VIII at €360 million, the largest fund in the firm’s history. The raise continues a pattern of consistent fundraising every three to four years since 1997, through bull markets and corrections alike, and builds on long-standing LP relationships that have backed the firm across multiple fund generations.
Fund VIII will invest across three focus areas: AI Applications, Software Infrastructure and Foundation Models, and DeepTech. Current portfolio companies include Black Forest Labs, SpAItial AI, Sintra AI, Neuracore, Arago, Porters, and Rivia, among others. The firm’s historical investments span companies including Isar Aerospace and Marvel Fusion, reflecting a consistent bias toward backing categories before they are widely understood.
Alongside the fund close, Earlybird has introduced what it calls a perpetual ownership model, ensuring the firm remains completely owned by its active partners with no external ownership or partial sale. The structure is designed to align long-term incentives and preserve independence across fund generations.
The firm has also expanded its use of AI across sourcing, portfolio support, and internal operations, and is strengthening its platform through community-building initiatives, including its Catalyst program, which connects founders with operators and domain experts. As part of these developments, Jochen Küst has stepped into the expanded role of Operating Partner alongside his responsibilities as CFO.
