Who's writing cheques
Last 90 daysEvery firm below is here because it was named in a round we collected — not because it filled in a profile. Ranked by how many separate companies it backed, which is the only claim the source material actually supports.
This is deliberately not a directory. Directories tell you a fund exists and who to email; several free ones already do that well. This tells you what a fund has been doing for the last quarter — which is the part that goes stale, and the part nobody keeps current.
15 Jul – 13 Oct · 42 firms backing 2+ companies · rumours excluded · share ↓
We started recording who backed each round on 7 Aug 2026 (the rounds themselves go back to 17 Jul 2026). Anything announced before then shows no backer because we did not ask — not because nobody invested.
190 of 458 companies in this window named at least one backer (41% of our own coverage — a figure about us, not about the market).
Between 7 Aug and 13 Oct, 42 firms were each named as backing two or more separate companies in the funding rounds we collected. Balderton Capital, High-Tech Gründerfonds, Sequoia and Y Combinator backed the most, with 4 companies each. The companies those firms backed were most often in Other B2B Software (14), Fintech (12) and AI (10). In the last 14 days, 19 firms joined the list, including Curiosity VC, Headline and Notion Capital.
- 1.
Balderton Capital
4 companieslatest 9 Oct 2026AIOther B2B SoftwareConsumer ServicesSeries ASeries BSeries CA wearable biosensor that sits against the skin and reads glucose and other molecules just beneath it.
The system a recruitment agency runs on — tracking candidates and client relationships in one place, with AI doing the admin.
Stages concerts performed by digital avatars of musicians, built to tour rather than sit in one purpose-built venue.
AI platform that lets people build working software by describing what they want in plain language.
- 1.
High-Tech Gründerfonds
4 companieslatest 8 Oct 2026Fintech ×2CybersecurityFoodPre-seed ×2SeedStage unknownAutomates the administrative work financial and insurance advisers do for each client.
Warns food producers early when the crops and ingredients they buy are at risk of running short.
Security software that watches what AI agents do while they are running and stops the actions that should not happen.
Software that speeds up the due diligence behind investment and financing deals for renewable energy projects and data centres.
- 1.
Sequoia
4 companieslatest 7 Oct 2026Robotics ×2Other B2B SoftwareCybersecurityStage unknown ×3GrowthPays people to record themselves doing everyday tasks, and sells the motion data to train humanoid robots.
Modular industrial robots that smaller manufacturers can reconfigure for different jobs on their own factory floor.
AI-powered accounting software for businesses.
Cybersecurity platform that automates threat detection and speeds up incident response.
- 1.
Y Combinator
4 companieslatest 12 Oct 2026Other B2B Software ×2AviationBiotech & Life SciencesSeries A ×2Stage unknown ×2Flies uncrewed hydrogen-powered airships over pipelines, power lines and other critical infrastructure to inspect it from the air.
The system a recruitment agency runs on — tracking candidates and client relationships in one place, with AI doing the admin.
Automates the data-engineering work of moving and preparing company data, aimed at mid-sized European businesses.
An automated wet lab that builds and tests AI-designed proteins to order.
- 5.
IDG Capital
3 companieslatest 8 Oct 2026Robotics ×2AISeedSeries AStage unknownThe company behind Manus, a Chinese AI agent.
Building AI-driven robots that can take a goal, move around and handle objects to carry it out.
Develops humanoid robots, spun out from EV maker XPeng.
- 5.
Nvidia
3 companieslatest 25 Sept 2026AIBiotech & Life SciencesSemiconductorsGrowthSeries CStage unknownRuns data centres rented out to companies that need to train and serve large AI models.
Collects DNA from organisms in the wild and uses it to train models that design new medicines.
Designs AI inference chips for running AI models efficiently.
- 5.
Scaleup Europe Fund
3 companieslatest 15 Sept 2026AIHealth Tech & MedtechSemiconductorsSeries ASeries BSeries D+Building energy-efficient chip systems for running large AI models, with the first hardware due from 2028.
An AI medical assistant for clinics that handles doctors' paperwork and admin across European healthcare.
A European AI company building its own models, pitched to governments and firms that want AI systems run under European control.
- 5.
Tencent
3 companieslatest 8 Oct 2026AI ×2RoboticsSeries ASeries CStage unknownThe company behind Manus, a Chinese AI agent.
Develops humanoid robots, spun out from EV maker XPeng.
AI platform that lets people build working software by describing what they want in plain language.
- 9.
100IN
2 companieslatest 8 Oct 2026FoodMarketingPre-seedSeedPulls together evidence about what consumers want so companies can use it when making decisions.
Software that runs quality checks and regulatory compliance for food manufacturers.
- 9.
42CAP
2 companieslatest 1 Oct 2026AICybersecuritySeedStage unknownBuilds the speech side of software — systems that listen and talk back — for European companies that want it in their own languages.
Security software that watches what AI agents do while they are running and stops the actions that should not happen.
- 9.
ACE Ventures
2 companieslatest 3 Sept 2026Other B2B SoftwareBiotech & Life SciencesSeries AStage unknownAutomates the data-engineering work of moving and preparing company data, aimed at mid-sized European businesses.
An automated wet lab that builds and tests AI-designed proteins to order.
- 9.
Alstin Capital
2 companieslatest 5 Oct 2026AIOther B2B SoftwareSeedSeries AGathers and structures a country's case law and legislation so lawyers' research tools have something reliable to read.
Builds the speech side of software — systems that listen and talk back — for European companies that want it in their own languages.
- 9.
BACKED
2 companieslatest 1 Oct 2026AISpacePre-seedStage unknownTracks where satellites and orbital debris actually are, to millimetre precision, and sells the position data to anyone flying something up there.
A research lab building world models - AI that learns how physical places behave well enough to predict what happens next in them.
- 9.
Better Angle
2 companieslatest 5 Oct 2026CybersecurityDefencePre-seed ×2Runs penetration tests on a customer's systems with software agents instead of booking a human testing team.
Onboard software that lets military drones and other unmanned vehicles navigate and act without someone flying them.
- 9.
Blackbird
2 companieslatest 22 Sept 2026Fintech ×2Pre-seedStage unknownDebt recovery run by AI — chasing overdue accounts on behalf of the businesses owed the money.
AI 'autopilot' that automates repetitive finance-team tasks.
- 9.
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij
2 companieslatest 22 Sept 2026FoodSemiconductorsStage unknown ×2Makes the equipment used to pattern very large display screens, and is adapting it for data-centre hardware.
Treats crops with plasma-charged water so growers can skip chemical fungicides and leave no residue.
- 9.
ByFounders
2 companieslatest 7 Sept 2026Biotech & Life SciencesMarketingPre-seedSeries AAn end-to-end platform for brands running marketing campaigns with online creators.
An automated wet lab that builds and tests AI-designed proteins to order.
- 9.
Curiosity VC
2 companieslatest 13 Oct 2026Other B2B SoftwareFintechPre-seedSeedAutomates the back-office paperwork and financial admin of construction and property companies.
Advances a business the cash it is owed on unpaid invoices, with the credit check done automatically.
- 9.
EIFO
2 companieslatest 5 Oct 2026EnergySemiconductorsSeries AStage unknownA way of making clothes that uses far less water than conventional garment production, now going to its first factory.
Building energy-efficient chip systems for running large AI models, with the first hardware due from 2028.
- 9.
Expedition Growth Capital
2 companieslatest 16 Sept 2026Other B2B SoftwareFintechSeries BStage unknownData and analytics on exchange-traded funds, sold to the firms that pick and sell them.
AI-powered customer-service software that runs automated conversations for enterprise contact centres.
- 9.
Fireside
2 companieslatest 9 Oct 2026Consumer ServiceseCommerce & MarketplacesSeries ASeries BAn Indian menswear brand selling online and through its own shops, now opening more physical stores.
Sells internet-connected kitchen appliances and is building its own manufacturing for them.
- 9.
Flanders Future Tech Fund
2 companieslatest 9 Oct 2026Biotech & Life SciencesSemiconductorsSeedSeries AAnalyses cells for teams developing cell-based immunotherapies. It is a spin-out of imec, VIB and Ghent University.
Designs the radio chips that satellites use to send and receive data, and is now putting them into volume production.
- 9.
Fortino
2 companieslatest 22 Sept 2026Other B2B Software ×2SeedSeries AThe system a recruitment agency runs on — tracking candidates and client relationships in one place, with AI doing the admin.
Automates the engineering side of industrial sales, where a quote depends on specifying a machine correctly.
- 9.
Global Founders Capital
2 companieslatest 22 Sept 2026Other B2B Software ×2Pre-seedStage unknownA new audit firm built on its own software, running statutory audits end to end from a client's own systems.
One place for a company's IT team to handle laptops, software accounts, logins and support requests, with AI agents doing the routine jobs.
- 9.
Headline
2 companieslatest 12 Oct 2026Other B2B SoftwareHealth Tech & MedtechSeries BStage unknownA certification body that signs off AI and software-based medical devices so they can legally be sold.
One place for a company's IT team to handle laptops, software accounts, logins and support requests, with AI agents doing the routine jobs.
- 9.
HV Capital
2 companieslatest 6 Oct 2026Other B2B SoftwareCybersecurityStage unknown ×2Software that continuously attacks a company's own internet-facing systems the way a hacker would, to find the holes first.
An AI-powered employee experience app for frontline workers without desk jobs.
- 9.
Innovation Industries
2 companieslatest 22 Sept 2026Semiconductors ×2Series AStage unknownMakes the equipment used to pattern very large display screens, and is adapting it for data-centre hardware.
Building energy-efficient chip systems for running large AI models, with the first hardware due from 2028.
- 9.
Invest-NL
2 companieslatest 22 Sept 2026FoodSemiconductorsStage unknown ×2Makes the equipment used to pattern very large display screens, and is adapting it for data-centre hardware.
Treats crops with plasma-charged water so growers can skip chemical fungicides and leave no residue.
- 9.
Menlo Ventures
2 companieslatest 18 Aug 2026AI ×2Series CStage unknownBuilds an AI speech-to-text model designed to stay accurate even in noisy conditions.
AI platform that lets people build working software by describing what they want in plain language.
- 9.
Mirae Asset
2 companieslatest 1 Sept 2026Fintech ×2SeedStage unknownManages investments for wealthy Indian clients; founded in early 2025 and now looking after about $3 billion of assets.
Wealth-management platform for high-net-worth individuals.
- 9.
Motive Partners
2 companieslatest 6 Oct 2026CybersecurityFintechSeedStage unknownSoftware that continuously attacks a company's own internet-facing systems the way a hacker would, to find the holes first.
AI-native accounting and tax back-office software for small and medium-sized businesses.
- 9.
Nordic Makers
2 companieslatest 1 Oct 2026AIOther B2B SoftwareStage unknown ×2Turns recorded interviews into searchable text, and now lets users dig back through old recordings for things they missed.
Sensor technology that inspects concrete infrastructure for damage, likened to an MRI scan for concrete.
- 9.
Notion Capital
2 companieslatest 12 Oct 2026Other B2B SoftwareHealth Tech & MedtechSeries BStage unknownA certification body that signs off AI and software-based medical devices so they can legally be sold.
An AI-powered employee experience app for frontline workers without desk jobs.
- 9.
NPIF II - PXN Equity Finance
2 companieslatest 1 Oct 2026FoodMarketingStage unknown ×2Finds likely customers for a small business and keeps its sales pipeline moving without a sales team to work it.
A protein-based ingredient that mimics the feel of fat, so food makers can cut fat and calories without the product tasting different.
- 9.
Plural
2 companieslatest 1 Oct 2026AIOther B2B SoftwareSeedSeries CRuns the mechanical half of hiring — finding candidates, sifting applications, scheduling and writing up interviews — so recruiters only do the judgement.
Systems software that routes AI workloads to the cheapest suitable models and chips.
- 9.
PROfounders Capital
2 companieslatest 5 Oct 2026Other B2B SoftwareFoodPre-seedSeries AGathers and structures a country's case law and legislation so lawyers' research tools have something reliable to read.
Software that runs quality checks and regulatory compliance for food manufacturers.
- 9.
SBI Group
2 companieslatest 18 Sept 2026Fintech ×2Series AStage unknownPayment processing for merchants in Singapore, moving into markets where payments have just come under regulation.
Issues and operates stablecoin payment infrastructure.
- 9.
Seedcamp
2 companieslatest 1 Oct 2026Other B2B Software ×2Pre-seedSeries CRuns the mechanical half of hiring — finding candidates, sifting applications, scheduling and writing up interviews — so recruiters only do the judgement.
Software that builds a digital twin of computer chips and uses AI to auto-generate the integration code needed for physical-AI devices.
- 9.
SFC Capital
2 companieslatest 9 Sept 2026eCommerce & MarketplacesHealth Tech & MedtechPre-seed ×2Technology that picks up disease-related chemical compounds by smell, as a way to detect illness.
A staffing platform matching hospitality businesses with vetted freelance workers, handling training and compliance.
- 9.
SmartFin
2 companieslatest 6 Oct 2026CybersecurityFintechSeries AStage unknownSoftware that continuously attacks a company's own internet-facing systems the way a hacker would, to find the holes first.
Open-source software that banks and fintechs run to spot fraudulent transactions and meet anti-money-laundering rules, set up without writing code.
- 9.
Superhero Capital
2 companieslatest 28 Sept 2026Other B2B SoftwareEdtechPre-seed ×2Lets someone build and run a mobile app business without hiring developers.
AI that turns software workflows into narrated video training guides for employees.
- 9.
Ugly Duckling Ventures
2 companieslatest 23 Sept 2026AIMarketingPre-seedSeedTakes the note-taking and data entry off a sales team by having AI do it after each customer call.
A platform to help business teams adopt and coordinate AI tools across their organisation.
A further 352 firms were named once each in this window. One cheque is an event, not a pattern, so they are counted here and not listed.
How this is built
Twice a week we read the startup funding press, write one plain sentence about each company in our own words, and record the firms the report names as backing the round. That is the whole source: public announcements, each linked beside the company it describes so you can check it.
The unit is the company, not the round. The same raise is often reported twice, a day apart, sometimes with different figures — counting reports would inflate every number here. Rounds still described as rumoured are excluded entirely.
There is no money column, on purpose. When four firms are named in a $20m round, the public record does not say who put in what. Adding the round total to each of their names would invent a figure for all four. So this page counts cheques written, and leaves the size of them to the people who actually know.
Firms only. Where a report names an individual angel we leave them out — a fund's name is a public commercial fact, a person's is not. A firm also has to appear in 2 separate companies before it is listed at all.
It is a record of what was reported, not a verified register of who invested, and it is only as complete as the outlets we read. Plenty of rounds never name a backer, and plenty of investors never appear in the press at all.