We need to raise a Series B to expand into Europe. Who are the best US-based VCs with a strong presence in London or Berlin?

For a Series B where the goal is European expansion, I would prioritize VCs that can do more than write the check: they should have London/Berlin operating networks, recruiting help, enterprise/customer introductions, and experience helping US companies localize in Europe.

A strong shortlist:

If Berlin is strategically important

These are worth adding even though they are Europe-first rather than US-first:

• Target Global — Berlin/London footprint, known for scaling European technology companies and later-stage investing.
• Project A Ventures — strong operational support model and Berlin network.
• HV Capital — major German/EU investor with expanded London presence.

My Series B target list (assuming you are a US company)

I would probably run a process around:

Tier 1 — highest strategic value

1. Accel
2. Insight Partners
3. Bessemer
4. Sapphire Ventures
5. Frontline Ventures

Tier 2 — depending on sector 6. Lightspeed 7. GV 8. a16z 9. NEA 10. Headline

How I’d position the pitch

The best angle is usually not “we need European money.” It is:

“We have proven US product-market fit. Europe is our next growth market, and we want a partner who has helped companies build the first 50–200 person European team, land enterprise customers, and navigate localization.” That framing tends to resonate more with the firms above because their value is operational rather than geographic.

If you share your sector (SaaS/AI/fintech/consumer/etc.), ARR, current US customer base, and whether London or Berlin is the priority, I can narrow this to a top 10 investor target list with likely partners to approach.

Raising a Series B to expand into Europe is a classic inflection point, and having a US-headquartered fund with boots on the ground in London or Berlin (or a deeply integrated dual-shore presence) can give you the transatlantic network you need for enterprise sales, hiring, and eventual downstream financing.

The top US-based VCs with strong, active footprints in London and/or Berlin that frequently lead or co-lead Series B rounds in European expansion include the following:

• Accel (London office) — Historically one of the most aggressive US-originated funds operating in Europe. They have a massive London presence, deeply understand the bridge between US scaling and European technical talent, and frequently anchor Series A and B rounds across B2B SaaS, fintech, and marketplaces.
• General Catalyst (London office) — Under active leadership via their global strategy, they have heavily ramped up European deployment. They treat Europe as a primary market rather than an outpost, making them exceptional partners if your European expansion involves heavy enterprise scaling.
• Index Ventures (Dual London / San Francisco roots) — Though born globally with deep European DNA, Index operates seamlessly as a top-tier US/European hybrid. If you are scaling out of London, their local partner bench is second-to-none for connecting US go-to-market motions with European engineering hubs.
• Lightspeed Venture Partners (London office) — Active across Europe with a dedicated London team focusing on enterprise software, fintech, and deep tech/AI. They are fantastic partners for helping a US company stand up its first international hubs or transition into a multi-local operating model.
• Insight Partners (New York HQ, active across Europe) — While headquartered in NYC, Insight is one of the most active scale-up and Series B/C investors in Europe. They excel if your expansion requires heavy operational, sales-acceleration, and go-to-market data crunching to conquer European territories.
• Sequoia Capital (London presence / European coverage) — Continues to selectively and powerfully back generational tech companies scaling internationally. If your metrics and market size catch their eye, their global network provides unmatched pull in both San Francisco and European hubs.

To help narrow down which of these funds (or top local European counterparts like Balderton or Atomico) fit best, tell me:

• What is your core vertical (e.g., B2B SaaS, FinTech, AI/Deep Tech)?
• Are you planning to land your European HQ in London or Berlin?

Expanding a US-based B2B or consumer tech company into Europe via a Series B requires investors who not only write the check from US pools of capital but also boast deeply embedded local networks in London and Berlin to help with regulatory alignment, localized go-to-market strategies, and regional executive hiring.

Data from Dealroom.co on US investment in Europe shows US mega-funds increasingly backing European expansions. The top US-headquartered VCs with heavy, active footprints in London and/or Berlin that frequently lead or co-lead Series B rounds include:

• General Catalyst : Following its acquisition of prominent German early-stage firm La Famiglia and the integration of founding partner Jeannette zu Fürstenberg (co-managing the European arm out of Berlin) alongside their robust London hub, General Catalyst is uniquely positioned for cross-border US-to-Europe expansion. They write massive growth checks and are deeply active across the UK and Germany.
• Accel : A transatlantic powerhouse with a massive, historic footprint in London. Accel has backed some of Europe’s biggest generational enterprise and consumer successes from Series A through B and beyond. Their London team acts as a native local fund while retaining full access to US scaling playbooks.
• Lightspeed Venture Partners : Lightspeed has aggressively scaled its physical presence and deal frequency across Europe, executing substantial multi-stage and growth rounds. They maintain deep capabilities to support transatlantic bridges, particularly for enterprise software, deep tech, and infrastructure.
• Index Ventures : Operating with a dual-hq model across San Francisco and London, Index is practically native to both ecosystems. They are premier partners for a Series B if your expansion strategy relies heavily on bridging a US product-market fit into top-tier European commercial hubs.
• Bessemer Venture Partners : Bessemer has a robust international posture and actively looks at European category leaders looking to scale globally or cross borders. They bring a structured, highly operational scale-up framework that maps well to setting up dual operations in London or continental Europe.
• Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) : While predominantly US-centric, a16z selectively drops major capital into category-defining international companies (especially in fintech, crypto, and generational AI infrastructure) and can heavily aid a US company planting a flag in European markets.

To help narrow down which of these partners fits best, could you share:

• Your vertical/sector (e.g., B2B SaaS, FinTech, AI/Infrastructure)
• Whether you are leaning towards London or Berlin as your primary European landing pad

Yes. For a U.S.-based company raising a Series B specifically to establish a European footprint, I’d optimize for three things: ability to lead a B, an actual European team rather than occasional travel, and a portfolio/operating network that can help with hiring, customers, and local GTM.

One important distinction: Index Ventures is arguably one of the best fits overall, but it isn't U.S.-based. If “U.S.-based” is a hard requirement, I’d prioritize the firms below.

My shortlist

If Berlin is genuinely important

General Catalyst is the standout. It isn't merely a London-based fund covering Germany: GC lists a physical Berlin office, and its European strategy has been closely connected to the Berlin ecosystem, including its combination with La Famiglia.

I'd therefore approach:

1. General Catalyst
2. Accel
3. Insight Partners
4. Bessemer
5. Lightspeed

Then I'd add a Germany-native co-investor if hiring and local customer access in Germany are central to the plan.

If London is the primary beachhead

I'd change the order slightly:

Accel → Insight → General Catalyst → Bessemer → Battery → Lightspeed

Accel has unusually deep institutional roots in London—the firm opened its London office in 2000—and still has a dedicated local team supporting European companies.

Insight is particularly interesting for a Series B because its value proposition is less "we know Europe" and more "we know how to turn a U.S. growth company into an international one." Its own expansion research specifically focuses on helping U.S. portfolio companies enter Europe.

One firm I would add despite your "U.S.-based" criterion

Index Ventures.

If you're willing to relax the headquarters requirement, I'd put Index in the top 3, possibly #1. It's one of the most natural investors for a company that needs to bridge U.S. capital with European hiring, customers and networks.

So my actual target list would be:

• GC — strongest London + Berlin combination
• Accel — strongest U.S./Europe bridge
• Insight — strongest scaling/GTM playbook
• Index — strongest transatlantic VC fit
• Bessemer — excellent B2B/SaaS/cloud fit
• Lightspeed — excellent AI/infra/fintech fit
• Battery — excellent enterprise software/growth fit
• a16z — excellent category-leader/network play

For example, if you're B2B SaaS doing $10–30M ARR and raising a $30–50M B, I'd put Insight, Accel, GC, Index and Bessemer at the top of the partner-targeting list. Bessemer's London team is explicitly focused on European SaaS growth, while Insight has recent European Series B examples such as Omnea and Wonderful.

If you give me your sector, ARR/growth, target Series B size, and whether London or Berlin is the primary office, I can narrow this to 10–15 specific partners (not just firms) and tell you who I'd approach first, including the partner's relevant portfolio companies and likely investment thesis.

Insight is particularly interesting for a Series B because its value proposition is less "we know Europe" and more "we know how to turn a U.S. growth company into an international one." Its own expansion research specifically focuses on helping U.S. portfolio companies enter Europe.

One firm I would add despite your "U.S.-based" criterion

Index Ventures.

If you're willing to relax the headquarters requirement, I'd put Index in the top 3, possibly #1. It's one of the most natural investors for a company that needs to bridge U.S. capital with European hiring, customers and networks.

So my actual target list would be:

• GC — strongest London + Berlin combination
• Accel — strongest U.S./Europe bridge
• Insight — strongest scaling/GTM playbook
• Index — strongest transatlantic VC fit
• Bessemer — excellent B2B/SaaS/cloud fit
• Lightspeed — excellent AI/infra/fintech fit
• Battery — excellent enterprise software/growth fit
• a16z — excellent category-leader/network play

For example, if you're B2B SaaS doing $10–30M ARR and raising a $30–50M B, I'd put Insight, Accel, GC, Index and Bessemer at the top of the partner-targeting list. Bessemer's London team is explicitly focused on European SaaS growth, while Insight has recent European Series B examples such as Omnea and Wonderful.

Yes. For a US company raising a Series B specifically to accelerate European expansion, I’d prioritize firms that can do more than write the check: they should have partners on the ground, European hiring/GTM networks, and enough US-market reach to support the next round.

My top targets

A useful cross-check is recent US VC activity: in 2025, General Catalyst ranked #1 among venture-growth investors in the US, while Insight, Lightspeed, Bessemer, Accel and Index were all among the more active late-stage investors.

One important exception: Index

I'd actually put Index Ventures at or near the top of the list, even though it isn't technically a "US-based VC." Its London/SF structure is almost tailor-made for what you're doing. Index has consistently been one of the leading investors in European Series A/B companies, and its transatlantic network is a major advantage for a US company entering Europe.

If Berlin is the priority

I'd weight the list:

1. Lightspeed — particularly interesting because of its Berlin team.
2. General Catalyst — strong cross-border operating capability.
3. Index — exceptional European network even though it's not US-headquartered.
4. Accel — outstanding European network, with London as the main hub.
5. Bessemer / Insight — especially if you're enterprise/SaaS.

If London is the first European hub, I'd move Accel, Index, Insight and Bessemer up.

And there's a good reason not to over-index on Berlin specifically: London remains Europe's deepest VC hub, while many global firms use London as their European base even when they actively invest in Berlin.

How I'd build the Series B process

I'd probably approach 10–15 funds, with roughly:

• 4–5 lead candidates: Accel, Index, General Catalyst, Lightspeed, Insight
• 3–5 additional US funds: Bessemer, a16z, NEA, etc.
• 2–4 Europe-native co-investors: Atomico, Northzone, Balderton, Project A, depending on sector

The strongest pitch isn't simply "we're expanding to Europe." It's "we've proven the US motion, and here's why the same engine can become substantially larger in Europe." The VC should be able to help with the European country prioritization, first 10–20 hires, enterprise introductions and local follow-on capital.

If you tell me your sector, current ARR/revenue, Series B target size, and whether London or Berlin is the intended first hub, I can narrow this to a ranked 10-fund target list, including the specific partners I'd approach at each firm and why.

When expanding a US startup into Europe via Series B, partnering with US-based VCs that have physical offices, dedicated partners, and active cross-border networks in hubs like London and Berlin can make execution significantly smoother.

Top US-headquartered venture firms with a strong, active presence on the ground in London and/or Europe include:

• Accel – Deeply institutionalized in Europe with a powerhouse Accel London office. They frequently lead or co-lead Series B rounds for software, marketplaces, and deep tech looking at transatlantic scale.
• Index Ventures – Operating dual headquarters in San Francisco and London Index Ventures , they are uniquely positioned for US-to-Europe or Europe-to-US expansion, specializing in fintech, software, and marketplaces.
• Sequoia Capital – Maintains a prominent London office staffed with Europe-based partners actively deploying capital into high-growth regional and expanding cross-border companies.
• General Catalyst – Extremely active in cross-border and European tech scaling , regularly participating in growth-stage rounds and leveraging a robust global operational network.
• Lightspeed Venture Partners – Features dedicated partners on the ground in Europe (spanning London and continental hubs ) focusing heavily on enterprise, consumer tech, and fintech expansion.
• Insight Partners – New York-headquartered growth specialist with dedicated investment professionals on the ground in London , ideal if your Series B leans heavily into scale-up B2B SaaS or enterprise software metrics.

To help narrow down the best specific partners or check if a hybrid US/European syndicate makes sense, tell me:

• What is your primary sector (SaaS, Fintech, DeepTech, B2C)?
• Is your European expansion launching out of London or Berlin first?

When raising a Series B to scale into Europe, partnering with a US-based VC that has a true, boots-on-the-ground presence in London or Berlin gives you the best of both worlds: deep domestic check sizes/valuation expectations paired with local regulatory, go-to-market, and hiring networks.

Top US-headquartered VCs with active, dedicated European footprints and strong Series B capabilities include:

• Accel (Palo Alto/London): One of the earliest tier-1 US funds to build a permanent London base (active since 2000). They have a massive European investment track record at the growth and Series B stages, with senior partners on the ground deeply plugged into both the UK and continental ecosystems.
• Sequoia Capital (Menlo Park/London): Sequoia has scaled up its physical London hub significantly, housing multiple dedicated Europe-focused partners. They frequently lead or co-lead cross-border expansion rounds for category-leading software, fintech, and AI companies.
• Insight Partners (New York/London): Known specifically for scale-up and growth-stage software/SaaS investments. They maintain a physical presence and dedicated deal-makers in London, and actively target international expansion rounds for high-velocity B2B models.
• General Catalyst (Cambridge/London/Berlin): Highly aggressive in the European market over recent years, participating in massive regional rounds (such as defense-tech and enterprise AI). They operate with a global-first mindset and have established operational reach in Europe.
• Lightspeed Venture Partners (Menlo Park/London): Has dedicated partners on the ground in Europe focusing on enterprise, consumer tech, and fintech, actively backing companies looking to bridge the US and European markets.
• Headline (San Francisco/Berlin/London): Formerly BV Capital, Headline has a unique localized structure with active offices in both Berlin and London, combining an early-stage European view with a San Francisco-based growth fund built specifically for Series B and beyond.

Alternative (Transatlantic Hybrid) approach:
If you want a native European fund that partners seamlessly with US heavyweights, consider top-tier local growth allies like London-based Dawn Capital (B2B software/fintech), Atomico , or Berlin/London-based Cherry Ventures , which often co-invest alongside incoming US Series B leads.

To help narrow down which of these funds match your exact profile, tell me:

• What is your primary vertical (e.g., B2B SaaS, Fintech, DeepTech/AI, Consumer)?
• Are you leaning more toward anchoring your European operations in London or Berlin?

Yes. For a U.S.-based company raising a Series B specifically to build a European business, I’d prioritize firms that can do three things: lead a meaningful Series B, provide U.S. follow-on capital, and put real people/network on the ground in Europe.

One important nuance: London is much more common than Berlin as the European base for U.S. VCs. General Catalyst is the standout exception with offices in both London and Berlin.

My shortlist

1. General Catalyst — my #1 if Berlin matters

This is probably the cleanest fit for a U.S. company whose European strategy genuinely includes Germany. GC officially lists offices in both London and Berlin, rather than merely covering Germany remotely.

I'd put them particularly high for AI, enterprise software, fintech, healthcare and other businesses where European regulation, hiring and enterprise relationships matter.

Pitch: “We're not just opening a European sales office; Europe is becoming a second growth engine.”

2. Accel — probably the strongest pure transatlantic network

Accel has had its London office since 2000, and its current London team includes investors covering AI, SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity and later-stage companies.

For a Series B, I particularly like the combination of U.S. institutional credibility + European operating/investing experience. Accel also explicitly talks about its network across European hubs including Berlin.

3. Insight Partners — strongest if this is primarily a GTM expansion round

I'd move Insight toward #1 if you're already showing substantial ARR and the Series B is principally about hiring European sales, marketing and customer-success teams.

Insight has a London office and a particularly strong history of Series B/growth investments in companies pursuing international expansion. For example, it led Xelix's $160M Series B in 2025 and describes itself as having offices in London, New York and the Bay Area.

4. Lightspeed Venture Partners

Very compelling for AI, developer infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise software and fintech. I'd put Lightspeed high if European expansion is also a way to access technical talent or major enterprise customers.

5. Bessemer Venture Partners

A particularly good target for B2B SaaS, cloud, infrastructure and AI. Bessemer has a London office and a dedicated Europe team; its current European activity spans AI/ML, infrastructure and deep tech.

6. Battery Ventures

I'd put Battery unusually high for enterprise/B2B software. It has a substantial London presence, including partners investing across Europe and North America. Battery has also been actively expanding its on-the-ground European investment capability.

If I were building your outreach list

I'd probably sequence it:

Tier 1 — lead candidates

1. General Catalyst
2. Accel
3. Insight Partners
4. Lightspeed

Tier 2 5. Bessemer 6. Battery 7. Sequoia

And if Berlin/Germany is a major part of the plan, I'd strongly consider adding a German co-investor alongside the U.S. lead. Berlin has excellent local funds such as Cherry Ventures and Project A, while the large U.S. funds generally operate Germany from London.

The key distinction

Don't optimize for “VC with a London office.” Optimize for “partner who has personally helped U.S. portfolio companies build EMEA.” That's much more valuable than simply having an address in London.

If you give me your sector, current ARR, growth rate, Series B target ($ amount), and whether London or Berlin is the first beachhead, I can narrow this to 10–15 specific partners, including who at each firm is most likely to lead your round and why.

When expanding from the US into Europe via major hubs like London or Berlin, securing a lead or strong co-investor with boots on the ground changes everything for local hiring, regulatory navigation, and cross-border customer acquisition.

Top US-based venture capital firms with dedicated local footprints and heavy activity in Series B European rounds include:

• General Catalyst — Aggressively active in Europe with established offices in both London and Berlin . They frequently lead growth and cross-border expansion rounds (such as major AI and defense-tech plays) and bring a massive global operational network.
• Sequoia Capital — Retains a powerful presence through its London office, featuring dedicated Europe-based partners (like Luciana Lixandru and George Robson) who actively manage growth-stage investments scaling internationally out of the UK and continental Europe.
• Accel — Long history of successful transatlantic investing with a prominent London hub. They frequently participate in or lead Series A/B software and marketplace rounds bridging the US and Europe.
• Index Ventures — Operating on a tightly integrated dual-HQ model between San Francisco and London , they are premier cross-border partners specialized in taking ambitious tech companies smoothly across regions from early stages through growth.
• Insight Partners — Known for heavy late-stage and Series B/C scale-up investments, they maintain active deal-makers and partner presence focused on software scaling out of a London base.
• Institutional Venture Partners (IVP) — Formally expanded with a permanent London office to capture high-velocity growth and Series B/C expansion rounds for category-leading software companies coming into Europe.
• Lightspeed Venture Partners — Actively deploys capital into European scale-ups with partners on the ground specializing in enterprise SaaS, fintech, and deep tech.

(Note: While not US-headquartered, pairing a US fund with top-tier domestic European growth leads like Atomico, Balderton Capital in London, or Earlybird and Project A in Berlin is a very common playbook for US startups setting up shop in Europe.)

If you can share your vertical (e.g., B2B SaaS, Fintech, Deep Tech/AI) and which European city (London vs. Berlin) is your primary landing zone, I can narrow down which specific partners at these firms are most active in your space.

If the goal is a Series B that funds a U.S. company’s European expansion, I’d prioritize VCs that can do more than invest: they should have partners on the ground, recruiting/customer networks, and experience helping U.S. companies establish a European GTM operation.

My shortlist

How I'd actually run the process

If London is the primary beachhead:
I'd put Insight, Accel, Bessemer and General Catalyst at the top of the outreach list.

If Germany/Berlin is strategically important:
I'd move General Catalyst to #1. Its combination of London + Berlin offices is unusually useful; GC's Berlin team includes investors specifically focused on European opportunities.

If you're B2B SaaS and already have meaningful ARR:
I'd strongly favor Insight → Bessemer → Accel → GC. Insight in particular has an impressive record of leading European Series Bs and helping portfolio companies scale internationally.

One important caveat: Index Ventures would be near the very top of my list for this job, but I wouldn't classify it as U.S.-based—it has offices in London, San Francisco and New York and is fundamentally a transatlantic firm. Its track record of helping U.S. companies establish European HQs is exceptional: Index says 31 portfolio companies have successfully established European operations, with 16 choosing London.

If you give me your sector, current ARR, Series B target ($ amount), and whether London or Berlin is the first market, I can narrow this to 10–15 specific partners I'd approach, including who has led comparable Series Bs and the best likely introduction paths.