Samaipata has launched its third venture capital fund, Samaipata III, with €110 million in committed capital aimed at backing early-stage technology companies across Europe that are building products around artificial intelligence.
The firm, which has been investing in European startups since 2016, said the new fund will target approximately 25 to 30 companies. Samaipata plans to lead early-stage funding rounds primarily in Spain and across key European technology hubs including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
According to the firm, the rise of AI is reshaping how software companies are built and scaled. Advances in foundation models over the past several years have accelerated product development cycles, enabling smaller technical teams to build sophisticated products faster and with greater capital efficiency than in previous technology waves.
Samaipata believes the most significant opportunity lies in the application layer of AI, where intelligence is embedded directly into software used across industries and workflows. The firm noted that companies able to translate AI capabilities into practical tools that solve critical business problems are likely to establish strong defensibility and long-term value.
The firm also highlighted Europe’s competitive position in this new technological cycle, citing the region’s deep technical talent pool and strong sector expertise. With AI-driven productivity gains lowering barriers to building advanced software products, European startups can increasingly compete on a global stage from earlier stages.
Through Samaipata III, the firm said it intends to continue supporting founders not only with capital but also with operational guidance through its Founder Success platform. The initiative connects portfolio companies with experienced operators, industry partners, and founders who have previously built and scaled successful technology businesses.
Samaipata’s first two funds backed 44 startups across Europe, including companies such as Embat, Imperia, and VIVLA in Spain, along with Nory, Bigblue, Matera, and Legl in other markets. Many of those companies have gone on to raise follow-on rounds led by international venture capital firms including Accel, Index Ventures, and Creandum.
The firm noted that about 80 percent of the companies backed by its first fund progressed to Series A or later stages, with its second fund currently showing a similar trajectory.
With the launch of Samaipata III, the firm said it aims to partner with founders building the next generation of globally relevant technology companies powered by artificial intelligence.
KEY QUOTES:
“AI is dramatically changing the economics of building software. Products can be developed faster, at lower cost and with far greater capabilities than before. The companies that win will be those able to translate these gains into real value for their clients, building products that solve critical problems and integrate seamlessly into everyday workflows. That is where we see a particularly exciting opportunity for founders building in Europe.”
Luis Garay, Partner At Samaipata
“Early-stage is where foundations are built. Our role is to give founders access to our network and the operational support they need at that moment, so they can move faster with confidence.”
Alberto Cuevas, Partner At Samaipata And Leader Of Founder Success
“The last decade of European technology has been extraordinary, but in many ways it was only the beginning. AI and the new tools available to founders are expanding what small teams can build and how quickly they can scale. We believe the next decade will produce a new generation of globally relevant companies emerging from Europe.”
José Del Barrio, Founding Partner At Samaipata
