Investor Profile: Elaia — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

Founders chasing Elaia funding are approaching one of Europe's most science-led venture investors. Elaia is a Paris-based venture capital firm focused on digital and deep tech, with more than two decades of experience backing technology disruptors. The firm now manages €1 billion and a portfolio of more than 100 startups, and has positioned itself as a full-stack investor across the deep tech lifecycle — from pre-seed research spinouts to Series B scale-ups. Its edge is proximity to science: Elaia built its deep tech seed franchise in close partnership with Europe's leading research institutions.

Investment thesis: world-class European research, turned into global companies

Elaia's thesis is that Europe's research quality, talent and startup infrastructure have reached a pivotal moment, and that the best science deserves venture-scale ambition. Its newest deep tech seed fund, DeepTech Seed 3 (DTS3), closed at €134 million in March 2026 — twice the size of any deep tech seed fund the firm had previously raised — and was built with Université Paris Dauphine – PSL, Inria, CNRS, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and the Max Planck Institute, giving the firm early visibility into breakthroughs before they reach the commercial market. DTS3 targets three strategic areas: the future of computing (AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, quantum), the future of industry (robotics, materials, energy, physical intelligence) and the future of life sciences (biotech, medical devices, digital health).

Elaia funding: cheque size and funds

DTS3 invests €1 million to €13 million in pre-seed and seed-stage B2B startups across Europe — France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Switzerland and emerging clusters. Alongside it, Elaia announced a €120 million first close in February 2026 for its fifth Digital Venture Fund (DV5), which invests €1 million to €15 million from pre-seed to Series B across AI, cybersecurity, Techbio and industrial innovation. Between the two vehicles, Elaia covers the full early-stage curve with an ESG lens on every investment.

Notable portfolio

Elaia's portfolio reads as a who's who of French and European tech: Mirakl (marketplace software), Criteo, Shift Technology (AI for insurance), iBanFirst, Vibe.co, HarfangLab, Dexory and SeqOne. From its research-partnership funds, notable outcomes include Alice & Bob and Aqemia, plus Mablink Bioscience, which was acquired by Eli Lilly. DTS3's first 11 companies include Proxima Fusion (stellarator fusion power, Germany), GetVocal AI (auditable conversational AI agents, France), BIOPHTA (ophthalmic inserts) and Mimic (physical intelligence for factories, Switzerland).

Partners and team

Elaia describes its team as a blend of entrepreneurial, scientific and business backgrounds, passionate about entrepreneurship and technology. Partner Anne-Sophie Carrese leads the deep tech seed strategy and has been the public face of the DTS3 raise. The firm emphasises "performance with values" — proximity, honesty and ESG principles in every deal.

How to apply for funding

Elaia's official website, elaia.com, is the firm's front door for founder outreach. Because the firm sources heavily through research institutions, founders coming out of labs — particularly in AI, quantum, semiconductors, robotics, biotech and industrial innovation — should highlight their scientific pedigree and IP position. Warm introductions through the firm's academic partners, portfolio founders or co-investors carry particular weight.