Pre-seed · Seed · Baltic & European

Fuelling Europe's next generation of deep-tech, life-science & dual-use founders.

We back technical founders solving hard problems — from the lab bench to the frontier of security and sustainability. First cheque to Series A, hands-on from day one.

No deck or "traction" required. A working idea and a technical edge are enough.
1,170
Applications reviewed
83
Companies backed
28M
Invested & committed
17
Countries
Our thesis

We invest where science becomes advantage.

Europe produces world-class research and engineering talent, but too much of it never reaches a first cheque. Erik Ventures exists to close that gap — funding and building deep-tech, life-science and dual-use companies from the earliest, riskiest moment.

  • Founder-first. We back people before metrics. Conviction in the team and the technology, not a polished growth chart.
  • Hands-on capital. Every cheque comes with operators, scientists and a network across the Baltics, Nordics and the EU.
  • Mission-aligned. Sovereignty, health, climate and security — technology that makes Europe more resilient.
  • Fast & transparent. A clear process, a real answer, and no games. Most applicants hear back within three weeks.

"We wrote our first cheque before there was a deck. What convinced us was a physicist who could explain the hard part in one sentence."

— Erik Lindqvist, Founding Partner


What we look for: a genuine technical edge, a large or strategic market, and a founding team that has to build this company.

How we invest

Three ways in — matched to your stage

Wherever you are on the journey, there's a front door. Apply once; we'll route you to the right program.

🌱
Equity-free grant

Incubation

€5k–€15k7-week sprint

For pre-company founders. Validate the science, shape the wedge, and get to a first prototype — no equity taken.

  • Equity-free grant funding
  • Weekly mentor + technical review
  • Lab & compute credits
  • Fast-track to acceleration
Apply →
🚀
Most popular

Acceleration

up to €125k6-month program

For early teams with a prototype. Investment plus a structured program to reach commercial and technical milestones.

  • Investment up to €125,000
  • Go-to-market & hiring support
  • Investor & customer intros
  • Demo day with EU funds
Apply →
📈
Lead or co-invest

Seed

up to €400kPriced round

For companies with early traction or standout technology. We lead or co-invest and stay on through Series A.

  • Cheques up to €400,000
  • Board & strategic support
  • Follow-on reserved capital
  • Deep-tech grant co-funding
Apply →
What we back

Three frontiers we know deeply

We're generalists on business models and specialists on technology. If your work sits at one of these frontiers, we want to meet you.

💻 Software++

Software with a hard technical core — where the moat is the maths, not the marketing.

AI & ML infraCybersecurity Robotics & autonomyQuantum Space & geospatialDeveloper tools

🧬 Life Science

Biology, health and the tools that accelerate them — from discovery to the clinic.

Biotech & therapeuticsDiagnostics Medtech & devicesDigital health Synthetic biologyAgri & food-tech

⚙️ Hardware & Dual-Use

Physical technology and dual-use systems that strengthen European resilience.

Advanced materialsEnergy & climate SemiconductorsDefence & security SensorsManufacturing
The process

From application to term sheet

Straightforward, fast and founder-friendly. Here's exactly what happens after you hit submit.

1

Apply

One form, ~15 minutes. Tell us about you, the technology and the ask.

2

First review

The investment team reads every application. You hear back within three weeks.

3

Deep dive

Two or three calls on the team, the tech and the market — plus a technical reference.

4

Decision

A clear yes or no with feedback. If yes, a term sheet and onboarding into your program.

Get in touch

Talk to the team

A question, a partnership, or just want to say hello? Send us a note and the right person will reply. Ready to apply? Go straight to the funding application →

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Message sent

Thanks for reaching out. The right person at Erik Ventures will get back to you shortly — usually within two business days.

Building something hard? We'd love to fund it.

One application. Reviewed by real people. A clear answer in three weeks — no deck or traction required.

Start your application →