Herbert Ventures, a newly established venture capital firm, has launched its first fund, Herbert Ventures Fund I, with a target size of €32.5 million (CHF 30 million).
The fund focuses on pre-Seed and Seed-stage investments across Europe and has already reached its first close in Q1. Its initial investment includes DroidRun, which is developing orchestration infrastructure for AI agents in mobile applications.
What The Company Does
Founded in 2026 by Simon Huber and Luis Huber, Herbert Ventures is an early-stage investment firm focused on backing DeepTech founders and experienced entrepreneurial teams across Europe.
The firm invests at the earliest stages of company development, often before formal market validation, with a strategy centered on execution capability rather than narrative-driven fundraising. Its approach is industry-agnostic, allowing it to invest across a range of sectors without being tied to specific technology trends.
Herbert Ventures aims to build a portfolio of approximately 30 companies, with a geographic emphasis on the DACH region while maintaining a broader European scope.
Advertisement
Market Context / Industry Background
Early-stage venture capital in Europe continues to expand, with increasing interest in DeepTech and science-driven startups. However, competition for high-quality deals has intensified, particularly at later stages, prompting some funds to focus on earlier entry points where valuations are lower and founder relationships can be established earlier.
At the same time, many venture firms adopt follow-on investment strategies to maintain ownership in successful portfolio companies. Herbert Ventures takes a different approach by not reserving capital for future rounds, instead concentrating resources on initial investments and early-stage support.
This model reflects a broader discussion within venture capital around capital efficiency, founder alignment, and the role of investors in the earliest phases of company building.
Founder / Investor Commentary
Founding Partner Simon Huber emphasized the firm’s focus on people over market predictability. He noted that uncertainty in the technology landscape reinforces the importance of backing adaptable founders who can respond to changing conditions.
The firm’s leadership combines entrepreneurial and investment experience. Simon Huber previously co-founded Vay and has been active as an angel investor, while Luis Huber brings experience from his role as Senior Partner at QBIT Capital, where he focused on university spin-offs.
Growth Plans / Use Of Funds
Herbert Ventures Fund I will be deployed across early-stage investments throughout Europe, with a focus on supporting companies from pre-Seed through initial growth phases. The fund is structured to prioritize alignment with investors, including a significant general partner commitment and an 8% hurdle rate.
The firm is managed by HS Capital AG and structured as a Luxembourg SCSP, providing a regulatory and operational framework suited for cross-border investment.
By concentrating on early-stage entry and avoiding follow-on allocation, Herbert Ventures aims to maintain flexibility and focus on helping portfolio companies reach their next stage of development.
About Herbert Ventures
Herbert Ventures is a Zurich-based early-stage venture capital firm focused on pre-Seed and Seed investments across Europe. Founded in 2026, the firm backs DeepTech founders and entrepreneurial teams, with a strategy centered on execution, early engagement, and founder alignment.
