The right time to raise VC capital

Looking into the peak VC fundraising months, how Index Ventures is investing $2.3 billion, and more...

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SearchVentures
June 18, 2025

The peak VC fundraising months

Contrary to popular belief, summer isn't a dead zone for venture deals. Founders can and do raise capital through June, July, and even August.

What are the peak fundraising months?

This Week’s Trends

  • Looking into the peak VC fundraising months

  • How Index Ventures is investing $2.3 billion

  • €783 million VC merger and more


    Read Time 3 minutes

The Startup Trend
VC funding throughout the months

 

The data based on 42,000 startup rounds shows December consistently sees the highest deal volume, peaking at over 13% of all closings in some years.

> Founders often push to finalize rounds before year-end, while VCs race to deploy capital before closing their books, creating a December deal surge.

> Summer isn’t slow as June and July frequently match or beat September in signed deals, debunking the myth that fundraising dries up mid-year.

💡 While December remains the peak, dealmaking continues year-round, driven more by pipeline momentum than the calendar.

Startup Feature
How Index Ventures is investing $2.3 billion

In 2024, Index Ventures announced a new $2.3 billion raise, adding to its position as one of the most influential venture firms in Europe. With an $800 million fund for early-stage startups and a $1.5 billion growth fund, the firm plans to invest in more than 150 startups in the coming years.

Index has backed startups like Revolut, Figma, Notion and Mistral. Now it is focusing on what could define the next decade of European tech. As VC resets after years of inflated growth, the firm is betting on long-term focus over hype-driven momentum.

Increasing the deal flow for 2025

Founded in Geneva and now operating out of London and San Francisco, Index Ventures is one of the few firms with deep roots in both Europe and Silicon Valley. That positioning allows it to work closely with early-stage founders across Europe while helping them scale in global markets.

“We believe the best companies can be built anywhere, but they need consistent long-term support.”

Danny Rimer, partner at Index Ventures

Index has historically made more than 40 investments per year and has backed over 100 unicorns and 50 IPOs. This includes global names like Deliveroo and Discord, as well as high-performing European companies in fintech, productivity, and deep tech.

With the new fund, Index plans on backing 70 to 80 early-stage startups a year, while its growth fund will help double down on breakout startups already in the portfolio.

“Great companies are built across cycles. The best time to invest is often when others hesitate.”

Danny Rimer, partner at Index Ventures

Unlike some investors who have slowed down in the current market, Index says staying active through downturns is what creates lasting results.

Backing Europe’s Next Big Founders

Index Venture partners: Carlos (UK), Nina (San Francisco) and Shardul (New York)

Index Ventures has been one of the few firms consistently investing early in European startups. While many global funds prioritized later-stage deals, Index focused on investing early in experienced founders building in complex or technical areas.

Today, Europe’s startup ecosystem is entering a new phase. Founders are building with more discipline and targeting profitability earlier. AI and vertical software are drawing record levels of talent, and early-stage deal activity is accelerating again in cities like Paris, Berlin, and Stockholm.

There is a generation of European founders who are not just copying what worked before. They are building for a world that looks very different five years from now.”

Danny Rimer, partner at Index Ventures

As Index Ventures puts more capital behind its conviction, the next generation of European startups will have greater access to growth funding and may finally rival the valuations of their San Francisco based counterparts.

Headline News
This Week In Startups ✍️

Founders

> Helsing, a Munich based startup raised €600 million Series D led by Prima Materia, with Accel, Lightspeed, Plural, and Saab, valuing it at €12 billion.

> NaroIQ, a Cologne based startup, closed a €5.85 million Seed led by Magnetic and Redstone, with General Catalyst backing.

> Orange Quantum Systems, a Delft‑based quantum‑tech startup in the Netherlands, closed a €12 million Seed round led by Icecat Capital.

Investors & VCs

> Par Equity and Praetura Ventures announced a merger forming PXN Group, pooling €783 million in assets under management.

> Realyze Ventures, a European VC platform, reached its first close of €50 million on a new proptech fund; larger final close expected .

> Nordic Foodtech VC, a Helsinki-based early-stage investment firm, secures €40 million with a final target of €80 million for fund to back foodtech and agritech.   


Cheers,

Odin Lund & Hari Mohandas

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