Google Ventures arrives in Europe with initial $100 million fund

Google announced today that its Google Ventures investment arm, which has invested in around 250 portfolio companies in its 5 year existence, is coming to Europe with a new office in London to support the next-generation of European entrepreneurs. To kick things off, Google is dedicating an initial $100 million fund to invest in projects in the EU:

We believe Europe’s startup scene has enormous potential. We’ve seen compelling new companies emerge from places like London, Paris, Berlin, the Nordic region and beyond—SoundCloud, Spotify, Supercell and many others… We can’t predict the kinds of inventions the Science Museum might showcase 10+ years from now, but we do know European startups will be essential to this future, and we can’t wait to see what they create.

Google Ventures is an investor in and currently home to a number of notable companies, some of which were ultimately acquired by Google like its recent $3.2 billion purchase of smart thermostat maker Nest. The investment arm’s over 225 portfolio companies include a varied bunch across consumer, mobile, commerce, enterprise, science, and health fields. Some of Google Ventures’ investments include Uber, pocket, tune in radio, about.me, 23andMe, Docusign, and many more. A full list is available on the Google Ventures website here.

In its announcement today Google noted that some “compelling new companies emerge from places like London, Paris, Berlin, the Nordic region and beyond.” It didn’t announce any specific investments in European startups, but it did namecheck “SoundCloud, Spotify, Supercell and many others” as examples of great companies coming out of Europe.

You can learn more on the Google Ventures site.