Elevator Ventures, the investment arm of Raiffeisen Bank International, is setting a new benchmark in the venture capital landscape with the launch of its second fund, EV II, amounting to €70 million. This substantial financial commitment underscores a targeted effort to fuel innovation and growth within the dynamic startup ecosystems of the DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) regions.
With significant contributions from Raiffeisen Bank International, Raiffeisen-Holding Niederösterreich-Wien, and Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark, EV II is set to bridge critical financing gaps, fostering a culture of innovation across a spectrum of industries.
A New Era of Venture Capital in DACH and CEE
The fund’s strategic directive is clear: to catalyze the development of startups, mostly in the fintech industry, at the forefront of technological innovation. Managed by Maximilian Schausberger and Thomas Muchar, who brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in venture capital, Elevator Ventures is not only building upon its successful initial portfolio but also expanding its investment focus.
Beyond the thriving FinTech sector, EV II aims to delve into emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and green transformation, signaling a broadened investment horizon.
To date, Elevator Ventures has committed close to €50 million in investments across the European landscape, nurturing a portfolio that includes 15 companies and celebrating 3 successful exits. The launch of EV II signals a renewed commitment to supporting startups through critical growth phases, with an emphasis on Series A and B funding rounds. Investment amounts are expected to range from €1 to €3 million, providing startups with the necessary capital to scale operations and achieve market penetration.
The involvement of key players from the banking sector in EV II not only solidifies the fund’s financial base but also enriches its strategic capacity.
With a fund volume of €70M, we double our resources to support startups. The increased commitment of RBI and the entry of Raiffeisen-Holding Niederösterreich-Wien as well as Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark confirms our strategy and enables us to use their strong networks of expertise and business opportunities for our portfolio companies
Maximilian Schausberger
