London-based VC Firm Aims to Bridge the Gap Between Technical Excellence and Commercial Success in Europe
DIG Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in London, has announced the successful closing of its first institutional fund, totaling €90 million. The fund will focus on backing European B2B Software as a Service (SaaS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud infrastructure startups, aiming to bridge the gap between technical innovation and commercial success.
A Founder-Focused Approach
DIG Ventures was established in 2018 by Ross Mason, the founder of MuleSoft, an integration software giant acquired by Salesforce for €5.9 billion. Initially operating as Mason’s family office, DIG transitioned into a VC fund with a mission to provide early-stage founders with hands-on guidance in go-to-market (GTM) strategies and execution. The firm aims to help startups effectively position and scale their companies in the competitive tech landscape.
“We see an enormous opportunity in Europe right now – this is the moment for the next generation of globally impactful tech companies to emerge from Europe,” said Ross Mason, Partner at DIG Ventures. “These founders combine deep technical brilliance with a powerful underdog mentality, but the bridge between technical excellence and commercial success is often missing. That’s where DIG comes in.”
Operator-Led Guidance
DIG Ventures differentiates itself through its operator-led approach. The firm’s team includes experienced entrepreneurs and operators who provide more than just capital. They offer lived experiences, a Silicon Valley mindset, operational insights, and valuable networks. This hands-on approach is designed to help founders navigate the critical early stages of company building and achieve sustainable growth.
The Team Behind the Fund
Alongside Ross Mason and Melissa Klinger, former UK sales lead at MuleSoft, the DIG Ventures team includes:
- Rytis Vitkauskas: Founder of YPlan (acquired by Time Out) and former Partner at Lightspeed.
- Scott Grimes: Co-founder of Stackin’ and Uproxx (acquired by Warner Music).
This team’s diverse experience as founders and operators gives DIG Ventures a unique advantage in understanding the challenges and needs of entrepreneurs. Their collective expertise enables them to identify and support the next generation of high-potential companies.
Investment Strategy and Focus
The new fund will primarily target startups based in Europe, with consideration also given to startups in Israel and the United States. DIG Ventures specializes in pre-Seed and Seed investments, often acting as the first institutional investor in companies that are still in the early stages of development. These companies typically have a compelling pitch deck and a groundbreaking idea but require the resources and guidance to transform their vision into a viable business.
DIG Ventures has already begun deploying capital from the new fund, backing over 15 B2B SaaS, AI, and cloud infrastructure startups. These include:
- Dash0: An observability platform founded by Mirko Novakovic, who previously founded Instana (acquired by IBM).
- Nexos.ai: An AI orchestration platform founded by Tomas Okmanas and Eimantas Sabaliauskas, the founders of cybersecurity unicorn Nord Security.
- PolyAPI: An enterprise middleware offering founded by Darko Vukovic, a former executive at MuleSoft, Google, and Oracle.
Mirko Novakovic, Founder of Dash0, emphasized the value of DIG Ventures’ hands-on approach: “We chose Dig Ventures because of their unique operating experience scaling a SaaS company to billion-dollar success, combined with the hands-on, entrepreneurial spirit their entire team brings to the table. Their expertise and proactive approach make them exactly the partner Dash0 needs at this critical growth stage.”
Impressive Portfolio and Success Rate
DIG Ventures’ portfolio includes notable unicorns such as People.ai and Karat, as well as rapidly growing scale-ups like Bubble, ComplyAdvantage, PlanetScale, Rasa, Taktile, Rossum, Flock, and Prophecy. According to DIG, 80% of the companies in their portfolio successfully raise additional funding within two years of DIG’s initial investment, highlighting the firm’s ability to identify and support promising startups.
Backing From Prominent Investors
The €90 million fund is backed by a diverse group of institutional Limited Partners (LPs), including The Hillman Company, Granite Capital, Sofina, and Grove Street. The fund also attracted participation from prominent tech founders, such as Datadog Founder Olivier Pomel and several MuleSoft executives.
A True Founder’s Fund
Tomas Okmanas, Co-founder of Nord Security, praised DIG Ventures’ founder-centric approach: “As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve seen every side of the funding landscape – from bootstrapping to major raises. Those experiences have shown me the value of investors who don’t just understand the technical side but have lived the scale-up journey themselves. The DIG team aren’t just investors; they’re in the trenches with us, helping us navigate go-to-market, pricing, and the sales process. Their support is second to none – a true Founder’s Fund.”
DIG Ventures’ successful closing of its €90 million fund marks a significant milestone for the firm and underscores its commitment to supporting the next generation of European B2B SaaS and AI startups. With its operator-led approach and focus on bridging the gap between technical excellence and commercial success, DIG Ventures is well-positioned to play a key role in fostering innovation and growth in the European tech ecosystem.
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