Movens Capital has launched its second fund, raising €60 million to support Central and Eastern European (CEE) tech startups from pre-seed to Series A+. The firm reached a first close at €40 million in Q2 2025 and plans to back around 30 startups across the region and its diaspora.
The fund is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), PFR Ventures, and over 80 individual investors—more than 40 of whom are successful tech founders and operators from the CEE ecosystem. Initial ticket sizes will range from €250,000 to €3 million.
Despite a rising number of startups, CEE continues to struggle with a significant funding shortfall. According to Dealroom data, VC investment in the region declined 23% in 2024, with a 70% drop in the number of transactions since 2022. On a per capita basis, VC investment remains low, with €13 per person in CEE compared to €85 in Western Europe.
This funding imbalance limits growth for thousands of startups—especially those seeking Series A and beyond—and often forces founders to relocate or stall progress. Movens’ new fund is designed to provide much-needed capital to high-potential ventures that might otherwise be overlooked.
With Fund 2, Movens Capital will prioritize sectors where CEE founders are building strong global offerings: enterprise software, artificial intelligence, fintech, healthcare, climate tech, edtech, and the future of work. Around 10 of the planned investments will target Series A+ rounds, most of which Movens intends to lead.
Alongside funding, the team brings operational support to help startups scale internationally. This includes guidance in areas like AI strategy, pricing, product design, and hiring—an offering grounded in the team’s background as exited founders and seasoned tech operators.
Movens was founded by a team of former entrepreneurs and product leaders with deep experience across CEE’s startup landscape. Their first fund backed companies such as Alokai (formerly Vue Storefront), SKY ENGINE AI, and Talkie.ai, several of which have since raised follow-on rounds from top-tier global investors or achieved successful exits.
Managing Partner Artur Banach said: “This region never lacked talent. What’s missing is the capital and operational support needed to turn early traction into global growth. Movens Capital is the launch pad for ambitious CEE founders aiming for global leadership.”
The firm’s model goes beyond capital. Movens is supported by a network of more than 40 tech executives and founders who actively advise portfolio companies. This network contributes strategic expertise and opens doors for partnerships, hiring, and follow-on financing.
Anne Fossemalle, Director, Equity Funds at the EBRD, commented: “We are delighted to back Movens’ new fund and help empower the next generation of tech founders in Central and Eastern Europe.”
Bartłomiej Samsonowicz, Investment Director at PFR Ventures, added: “Movens’ team has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism in both their investment processes and investor relations. We are confident they will play an important role in addressing the financing gap.”
Movens is already deploying capital from Fund 2, with the first deals expected to be announced in summer 2025.
