Venture debt has become an increasingly important tool for European startups looking to extend their runway, fuel expansion or reduce dilution. As equity funding remains competitive, more founders are turning to lenders that can offer flexible financing without giving up control. This ranking highlights the lenders that backed the most European tech startups in 2024.
Sifted tracked all publicly announced venture debt deals in 2024 and contacted lenders to verify their activity. Some providers may have unannounced or private facilities, which are not reflected in our data. Deal count considers debt financing and convertible agreements made with European tech companies launched post-2005. Fund focus denotes activity in 2024 at the following stages: “Early” for deals from pre-seed up to Series A, “Growth” for Series B and C and “Late” for investments from Series D onwards.
Sifted will be releasing investor rankings on a quarterly basis, available to Pro subscribers. Investors are encouraged to fill out this sheet, with a full list of Q1 2025 investments by April 18, and submit it to rankings@sifted.eu. If you believe your deal count to be incorrect, please contact us.
Available to Sifted Pro subscribers
65
Early, Growth
2023
Bank
35
Early, Growth, Late
1958
Public funding
29
Growth
2013
Investment firm
27
Growth
1988
Asset management
18
Growth
2014
Investment firm
14
Early, Growth
1857
Bank
12
Early, Growth, Late
2018
Bank
11
Early
1968
Bank
10
Early, Growth, Late
2012
Public funding
7
Early, Growth, Late
2000
Bank
7
Early
1690
Bank
5
Early, Growth, Late
1812
Bank
5
Early, Growth
1870
Bank
5
Early, Growth
1991
Public funding
4
Early, Growth
2008
VC fund
4
Early, Growth
2013
Private equity
4
Early
1994
Public funding
4
Early, Growth
1988
Public funding
3
Early, Growth
1857
Bank
3
Early, Growth
1991
Bank
3
Early, Growth
1991
Bank
3
Growth, Late
1869
Bank
3
Early, Growth, Late
1956
Public funding
3
Early, Growth
1870
Bank
3
Early
2017
Corporate venture fund
3
Early, Growth
2004
Public funding