Paris-based venture capital firm C4 Ventures has announced the launch of a new €100 million fund dedicated to early-stage startups in artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum technologies. This ambitious initiative reflects both the accelerating pace of European innovation and a strategic desire to strengthen the continent’s technological sovereignty.
The New Fund: A Strategic Investment in Europe’s Future
Founded by Pascal Cagni, former head of Apple Europe, C4 Ventures has earned a reputation for supporting disruptive technologies at the intersection of hardware, software, and connectivity. With its latest fund, the firm is sharpening its focus on what many now consider the triple helix of next-generation technology: AI, robotics, and quantum computing.
The fund will target seed and Series A rounds, providing critical early capital to startups with the potential not only for commercial success but for deep, systemic impact. As Cagni emphasized in a recent interview with Tech.eu, “Europe must not only catch up but leap ahead in strategic technologies.”
European Tech Sovereignty: More Than a Buzzword
Much has been made, in both policy and industry circles, of the concept of European tech sovereignty. At its core, this is about reducing reliance on non-European providers for essential digital infrastructure and tools. In an era of geopolitical uncertainty, the ability to develop and control foundational technologies—particularly AI and quantum computing—has profound security and economic implications.
“Sovereignty is not just about where technology is made, but who shapes its direction, who owns its outcomes, and who benefits from its advances.”
With this fund, C4 Ventures is positioning itself as a partner to founders who share this vision. The firm aims to back startups that are not only technologically ambitious but explicitly aligned with the goal of European self-determination in the digital age.
AI, Robotics, and Quantum: The New Frontier
The fund’s sectoral focus is deliberate. Each of the chosen domains represents a critical frontier for European competitiveness:
- Artificial Intelligence: Europe’s AI ecosystem has matured rapidly, but still lags behind the US and China in terms of both capital deployment and unicorn creation. By targeting early-stage ventures, C4 Ventures hopes to help close this gap while fostering ethical, human-centric AI models reflecting European values.
- Robotics: With its deep industrial base and tradition of engineering excellence, Europe is uniquely positioned to lead in robotics. The fund will support startups applying robotics to sectors from manufacturing and logistics to health and agriculture.
- Quantum Technologies: Quantum computing and communication are poised to reshape industries from finance to pharmaceuticals. Europe boasts world-class research institutes in this area but has struggled to translate breakthroughs into commercially viable startups. Early-stage investment is crucial to bridge this gap.
Backing Founders, Building Ecosystems
Beyond simply providing capital, C4 Ventures intends to offer hands-on support in go-to-market strategy, partnerships, and scaling. The firm has assembled a network of advisors including technologists, operators, and industry veterans to guide portfolio companies through the challenges unique to deep tech.
“What sets European founders apart is not just their technical expertise but their commitment to building products with purpose,” says Cagni.
This ethos—sometimes characterized as the “European approach” to innovation—places a premium on sustainability, ethical design, and long-term value creation. C4 Ventures’ new fund seeks to amplify these strengths at a time when global tech is grappling with questions of trust, bias, and social responsibility.
Bridging the Funding Gap
The launch of C4 Ventures’ €100 million fund comes as European startups face a paradoxical environment. On one hand, the continent boasts world-class talent, world-leading research, and a growing number of accelerators and incubators. On the other, there remains a persistent gap in the availability of risk capital—particularly for highly technical, capital-intensive fields like quantum and robotics.
According to recent data, less than 10% of global venture funding for deep tech goes to European companies. This disparity is especially acute at the earliest stages, where many transformative ideas falter before they can attract later-stage investors. By focusing on seed and Series A rounds, C4 Ventures hopes to catalyze a new generation of startups capable of scaling globally from European soil.
The Paris Advantage
Paris has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s leading tech hubs, propelled by a combination of public investment, a vibrant academic scene, and a cosmopolitan pool of founders. C4 Ventures’ decision to anchor its operations in the French capital is no accident. The city’s universities and research centers, including INRIA and Sorbonne University, are at the forefront of AI and quantum research. Meanwhile, government initiatives such as La French Tech have helped foster a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs.
From this vantage point, C4 Ventures is well placed to identify and nurture startups not only from France but across the continent. The firm has signaled its openness to pan-European teams, particularly those bringing together diverse backgrounds and skillsets—a key ingredient in tackling complex technological challenges.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
While the launch of a €100 million fund is a significant milestone, the road ahead is not without obstacles. Deep tech startups face long development cycles, regulatory hurdles, and the challenge of attracting world-class talent in a fiercely competitive global market. European founders must also contend with fragmented markets and differing legal regimes across the EU.
Yet the opportunities are considerable. The European Commission’s Digital Decade agenda, along with national initiatives in countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands, is channeling unprecedented resources into digital infrastructure and research. Public-private partnerships are multiplying, and a new generation of tech-savvy policymakers is emerging.
“Europe’s greatest asset may be its ability to blend rigorous science with a sense of social responsibility,” observes one industry expert. “If we get this right, we can build technologies that not only compete, but lead on the world stage.”
Impact Beyond Returns
For C4 Ventures, the measure of success goes beyond financial returns. The firm’s partners speak of building companies that will “define the character of the European digital economy.” This means not only supporting entrepreneurs as they bring new products to market, but helping to shape the regulatory and ethical frameworks within which those products operate.
In AI, this might involve championing transparent, explainable algorithms. In quantum, it could mean fostering open standards and cross-border collaboration. In robotics, it might be about ensuring technologies are accessible and beneficial to all sectors of society—not just the largest or wealthiest industries.
A New Chapter for European Innovation
The launch of C4 Ventures’ €100 million fund is a testament to the growing confidence of Europe’s tech sector. It signals a shift from incremental catch-up to bold, proactive leadership in fields that will define the coming decades.
As the boundaries between software, hardware, and science continue to blur, the need for investors who understand both the technical and human dimensions of innovation has never been greater. C4 Ventures, with its blend of industry expertise, pan-European perspective, and commitment to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, is stepping into this role with conviction.
For founders, researchers, and technologists across Europe, the message is clear: the future is being built here, and the resources to shape it are increasingly within reach.
Reference: C4 Ventures launches €100 million fund for AI, robotics, and quantum startups
