Beyond AI: Six startup opportunities in Europe
Six sectors where European expertise, needs and regulatory changes are opening up new markets.
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FundStageHQClosedSize €m
- 314.0
Backs growing SMEs in B2B services and technology, mainly in France, driving operational improvement, accelerated growth and ambitious buy-and-build strategies.
- France
- Fund 2
- 6 Oct 2026
- Seven2
- 736.0
Acquires predominantly majority positions in lower-mid-market companies across France, Italy, DACH and Benelux, working with management to accelerate growth and improve performance.
- France, Italy, DACH, Benelux
- Fund 9
- 24 Sept 2026
- Argos Wityu
- 1,500.0
Makes majority control investments in small-cap healthcare businesses alongside founders and families, driving international expansion, operational scaling and active buy-and-build.
- Health & Bio
- not found
- Fund 4
- 9 Sept 2026
- ARCHIMED
- 400.0
Buys growing mid-market companies in France, Italy, Spain and Benelux, financing acquisitions and executing systematic buy-and-build strategies in healthcare, business services and niche industries.
- Health & Bio, Business Services, Industrial Tech
- France, Italy, Spain, Benelux
- Fund 6
- 3 Sept 2026
- Siparex
- 335.0
Backs European lower-mid-market healthcare businesses through primary buyouts, operational improvement, international expansion and buy-and-build acquisitions.
- Health & Bio
- Europe
- Fund 5
- 9 Jul 2026
- Mérieux Equity Partners
- 808.0
Acquires majority stakes in mid-sized businesses, using organic development and buy-and-build strategies to create international leaders.
- Generalist
- Primarily France, Benelux and DACH
- Fund 3
- 21 May 2026
- Naxicap Partners
- 1,000.0
Targets fast-growing European technology and services companies, supporting international expansion, operational transformation, and selective buy-and-build.
- Technology, Business Services
- Continental Europe; feeder target assets primarily in France, Benelux, DACH, Spain, and Italy
- Fund 5
- 20 May 2026
- Eurazeo
- 75.0
Takes controlling stakes in established industrial SMEs and supports decarbonisation, operational improvement and growth across France and selected European markets.
- Climate & Energy
- Primarily France; broader Europe including Italy and Benelux
- 21 Apr 2026
- Abenex
- 180.0
Takes majority or controlling minority stakes in high-growth SMEs in France, Benelux and Italy, supporting development and transformation plans through buy-and-build.
- France, Benelux, Italy
- Fund 2
- 1 Mar 2026
- Abenex
Makes majority buyouts of established European SMEs and turns them into consolidation platforms through operational development and acquisitions.
- Generalist
- Europe
- Emerging manager, Fund 1
- 6 Feb 2026
- Cervinvest Capital
- 144.3
Makes mainly majority investments in French SMEs undergoing succession, strengthening operations and supporting organic growth and acquisitions.
- Generalist
- France
- Fund 4
- 27 Jan 2026
- LT Capital
- 400.0
Buys French SMEs and mid-cap companies with solid fundamentals and transformation potential, supporting operational improvement and development.
- Generalist
- France
- Fund 3
- 6 Nov 2025
- FCDE
- 275.0
Acquires majority positions in French defence and security SMEs and mid-caps through LBO transactions and supports their growth.
- Defence & Security
- France
- 23 Oct 2025
- Weinberg Capital Partners
- 280.0
Acquires majority stakes in growing French SMEs facing ownership or management transitions and drives value through durable operational transformation.
- Business Services
- France
- Fund 3
- 1 Sept 2025
- Sparring Capital
- 3,000.0
Targets mid- and upper-middle-market businesses in tech-enabled business services, financial services, and healthcare and life sciences.
- Business Services, Health & Bio
- Europe and North America; allocation by region not stated
- Fund 5
- 5 Mar 2025
- Eurazeo
- 300.0
Uses buy-and-build control transactions to scale profitable European companies providing environmental solutions.
- Climate & Energy, Food & Agri, Mobility
- European OECD countries, including Switzerland, the UK and Nordics
- 1 Feb 2025
- Eurazeo
- 337.0
Acquires European businesses and accelerates measurable decarbonisation to improve competitiveness, targeting annual carbon-intensity reductions of at least 7.5 percent.
- Climate & Energy
- European SMEs and mid-sized businesses
- 22 Jan 2025
- Argos Wityu
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