Europe’s venture capital scene is undergoing a quiet transformation. Over the pastyears, solo general partners (GPs) —individual investors running their own funds— have steadily emerged as a credible and competitive force against traditional VC firms. Once viewed as too risky or informal, these solo players are now attracting serious attention from limited partners (LPs), thanks to their agility, deep networks, and founder-friendly approach.
French investor Fabrice Grinda of FJ Labs is one of the most prominent names leading this shift. Operating as a solo capitalist with a lean team, Grinda has backed over 1,000 startups globally, with a strategy anchored in speed and high-conviction bets. His model consists in writing smaller checks with minimal friction, which contrasts sharply with the slow-moving committee structures of legacy VC. While FJ Labs is based in New York, its European footprint is expanding, especially in early-stage deals.
Names like Maren Bannon, founder of January Ventures, are now emblematic of a new breed of solo GPs who are not just filling gaps left by traditional VC but actively redefining the model. Bannon has leveraged her experience and network to build a rolling fund structure, where LPs can subscribe on a quarterly basis, providing more flexibility and transparency. These funds also lower the barrier for first-time LPs, including operators and angels, to get into venture investing, a dynamic that’s playing out especially across Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam mainly.
Hungry LPs
What has changed is the appetite from institutional LPs. Historically hesitant, LPs are now showing greater willingness to back solo GPs, especially those with proven track records and niche sector expertise. In a tighter capital environment, LPs are seeking leaner, more efficient models and competent managers to lead them.
Technology platforms are also fueling the rise. Hypernova, an infrastructure provider for fund managers, has made it easier than ever for solo GPs to launch and manage rolling funds with institutional-grade compliance and reporting. This backend efficiency means solo VCs can focus on deal-making instead of solely fund admin —a critical factor in keeping their competitivity over traditional firms.
Europe’s VC ecosystem is decentralising, to put it another way. For founders, that means more responsive, niche-aligned capital. For LPs, it means diversified bets with less drag. And for venture in the bloc as a whole, it could signal a structural shakeup if lonely wolves can prove their teeth can hunt as much as the pack.