A fresh $100M rolls into DIG Ventures as it bids to woo early-stage European startups

Tech Crunch - Apr 10th, 2025
Open on Tech Crunch

In a significant shift for European venture capital, former founders are increasingly becoming venture capitalists, a trend long established in the U.S. Notable figures like Taavet Hinrikus, Oscar Pierre, and Christian Reber are leading this change. Ross Mason, after selling MuleSoft to Salesforce for $6.5 billion, has launched DIG Ventures with Melissa Klinger. Their second fund, totaling $100 million, targets B2B SaaS, AI, and cloud infrastructure startups at pre-seed and seed stages in Europe, with interests in Israel and the U.S. Backed by prominent LPs such as The Hillman Company and Granite Capital, and individuals like Datadog's Olivier Pomel, DIG promises a hands-on, operator-led approach.

This development reflects a broader trend where former operators leverage their startup experience to identify and support early-stage companies more effectively. DIG Ventures, with a portfolio including People.ai and Karat, emphasizes technical products and go-to-market strategies. Mason envisions enterprises building bespoke AI solutions as the next major wave, while Klinger highlights Europe's potential in AI innovation due to its talent pool and cost advantages. This operator VC movement could redefine the investment landscape in Europe, aligning with global economic shifts and rising early-stage momentum.

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RATING

6.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-structured and informative overview of the rise of operator VCs in Europe, focusing on the success of DIG Ventures and its team. It effectively highlights key players and developments within the industry, making it accessible to readers with varying levels of familiarity with the topic.

However, the article could benefit from additional data or expert commentary to substantiate broader industry trends and implications. Including more diverse perspectives and addressing potential challenges or risks would enhance the story's balance and impact.

Overall, while the article is timely and relevant, it could provide a more comprehensive exploration of the issues at hand to better engage readers and provoke meaningful discussion.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that appear to be well-supported by the examples provided, such as the rise of "operator VCs" in Europe and the establishment of DIG Ventures by Ross Mason. The mention of specific individuals, like Taavet Hinrikus and Oscar Pierre, and their transition to venture capital roles is verifiable through public records and media reports. However, the claim that the trend of operator VCs is more prevalent in the U.S. than in Europe could benefit from statistical data or expert commentary to enhance its precision.

The reported details about DIG Ventures, including its fund size of $100 million and its focus on B2B SaaS, AI, and cloud infrastructure, are specific and likely verifiable through financial disclosures or press releases. The article also lists several backers and portfolio companies, which can be cross-checked with public announcements or company websites. However, the story could improve its accuracy by providing more context on the impact of these investments and the performance of the portfolio companies.

Overall, while the story is grounded in factual claims, it would benefit from additional data or sources to substantiate the broader trends and implications discussed, particularly regarding Europe's potential in AI and the geopolitical factors influencing venture capital trends.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the positive aspects of the operator VC trend and the success of DIG Ventures, potentially overlooking critical perspectives or challenges faced by such ventures. It highlights the achievements and strategies of Ross Mason and his team but does not provide counterpoints or critiques from industry analysts or competitors.

While the article briefly mentions the geopolitical factors affecting the venture capital landscape, it does not explore potential negative consequences or differing opinions on the sustainability of the operator VC model in Europe. Including insights from other stakeholders, such as traditional VCs or startup founders, could provide a more balanced view of the trend.

The narrative could be more comprehensive by addressing potential risks or obstacles faced by operator VCs, such as market saturation or economic downturns, which would offer a more nuanced perspective on the industry's current state.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language to convey its main points, making it accessible to readers with varying levels of familiarity with the venture capital industry. The narrative follows a logical progression, introducing key players and developments before discussing broader industry trends.

The use of specific examples, such as the success of DIG Ventures and its portfolio companies, helps to illustrate the article's claims and maintain reader engagement. However, some sections could benefit from additional context or explanation, particularly when discussing complex topics like geopolitical influences or the technical aspects of AI development.

Overall, the article is easy to follow and effectively communicates its main ideas, though it could provide more detailed explanations in certain areas to enhance reader understanding.

7
Source quality

The article references credible individuals and entities, such as Ross Mason, Taavet Hinrikus, and established firms like DIG Ventures, providing a solid foundation for its claims. The involvement of well-known figures in the venture capital and technology sectors lends credibility to the story.

However, the article does not cite specific sources or reports to substantiate broader industry trends, such as the rise of operator VCs in Europe or the geopolitical factors influencing the market. Including expert opinions or data from industry reports would enhance the article's credibility and depth.

Overall, while the story relies on reputable sources for its core claims, it could benefit from a broader range of authoritative voices and data to support its analysis of industry trends and implications.

5
Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of the key players and objectives of DIG Ventures, including the fund's size, focus, and geographical reach. However, it lacks transparency in terms of the methodology used to assess the rise of operator VCs in Europe and the geopolitical factors affecting the market.

There is little disclosure regarding potential conflicts of interest, such as financial ties between the author and the subjects of the article. Additionally, the article does not explain the basis for its claims about Europe's strengths in AI or the impact of geopolitical trends on venture capital.

Improving transparency by outlining the sources of information, potential biases, and the criteria used to evaluate industry trends would enhance the article's credibility and allow readers to better assess the validity of its claims.

Sources

  1. https://tech.eu/2025/04/10/dig-ventures-closes-100m-fund-to-back-next-generation-of-european-b2b-software-startups/
  2. https://20fix.com
  3. https://siliconcanals.com/londons-dig-ventures-closes-e91m-fund/
  4. https://bebeez.eu/2025/04/10/early-stage-vc-firm-dig-ventures-raises-100m-for-ai-cloud-and-saas-startups/
  5. https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/09/a-fresh-100m-rolls-into-dig-ventures-as-it-bids-to-woo-early-stage-european-startups/