Lakestar

Overview

Lakestar is a pan-European venture capital firm that invests in early- and growth-stage technology startups across sectors including fintech, deep tech, healthcare, and logistics.¹³ Headquartered in Zurich with offices in Berlin, London, New York, and Hong Kong, it manages over €2 billion in assets across multiple funds and has backed companies such as Spotify, Revolut, Klarna, and Airbnb.¹³ The firm focuses on supporting founders building globally scalable internet and technology companies, emphasizing long-term partnerships from seed to growth stages.⁴

History

Lakestar was founded in 2012 by Klaus Hommels, an early investor in companies like Spotify.¹³ It launched its inaugural Lakestar I fund of €150 million and later raised a $700-800 million fund in 2019, growing to manage over €2 billion across four early-stage and two growth funds.¹ The firm has executed over 100 investments across Europe and North America, with notable exits, and maintains a presence in multiple global offices.²⁵

Notable Products

• Lakestar I - Inaugural €150 million early-stage fund launched post-founding.
• Lakestar Growth Funds - Two growth-stage funds part of assets under management exceeding €2 billion.
• Lakestar CF I - Current fund in market with close date in August 2025.

Reputation

Lakestar is recognized for its track record in identifying high-potential tech startups and achieving notable exits, particularly in Europe and North America.² Professionals view it as operator-first with a data-driven, thematic approach aligning with market trends like AI and fintech.² It is perceived as committed to sustainability and ESG principles in investments.²