The cybersecurity industry in Europe is rapidly expanding to counter growing digital threats. Companies in this space range from startups specializing in software solutions to established firms providing consulting services. They offer products like advanced threat detection systems, risk assessment tools, and managed security services to help organizations protect their sensitive data. As cyberattacks proliferate, investment in innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence for threat detection and blockchain for data integrity, is gaining momentum. Europe's strong regulatory environment also fuels growth, as businesses increasingly prioritize cybersecurity compliance, shaping a robust future for the industry.


This list features a mix of corporate and venture capital investors, positioned primarily in the UK and France, with several notable entities from Ireland. Founded between 1981 and 2015, these investors vary significantly in size, ranging from small teams to industry giants. Collectively, they made over 400 investments in 2024, showcasing a dynamic interest in cybersecurity. Companies like Accenture and BGF are actively backing startups and developing existing businesses in the cyber sector, indicating a pivotal moment for investment strategies surrounding security technology.


Top 13 Cybersecurity Investors in Europe


1. Accenture

  • Website: accenture.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 51
  • LinkedIn: accenture

Accenture is a global consulting firm based in Dublin, Ireland, specializing in information technology and management consulting services. Founded in 2001, the company has grown to employ over 10,000 professionals and operates across various industries, providing solutions that help businesses innovate and improve efficiency. In recent years, Accenture has made significant strides in the cybersecurity domain, acquiring firms such as Entelgy Innotec Security and Sentor to bolster its cybersecurity offerings. These acquisitions reflect Accenture's strategy to enhance its capabilities in protecting clients against cyber threats. Furthermore, Accenture Ventures has invested in SpiderOak, a cybersecurity firm focused on space systems, showcasing their active role in the cybersecurity investment landscape. Overall, Accenture's diverse portfolio and strategic acquisitions position it as a notable player in the cybersecurity industry.


2. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through a range of services, including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. The firm aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in significant transactions within the cybersecurity sector, such as participating in the €11 million Series A funding for Dattak, a startup focused on cyber insurance, and contributing to CybelAngel's €32.9 million Series B funding round, which is centered on digital risk management. These investments highlight Bpifrance's active role in supporting cybersecurity innovation and startups.


3. Index Ventures

  • Website: indexventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 67
  • LinkedIn: index-ventures

Index Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 1996, based in London, England. The firm focuses on investing in innovative startups across various sectors, including technology and healthcare. They provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges of growing their businesses. Notably, Index Ventures has made significant investments in the cybersecurity space, including a $175 million investment in Coalition, a cyber insurance and security company, and multiple funding rounds for Lookout, a mobile security company. These transactions highlight Index Ventures' commitment to supporting companies that are at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation, making them a valuable partner for entrepreneurs in this field.


4. Enterprise Ireland


Enterprise Ireland is a public entity that serves as the Irish government's enterprise development agency, founded in 1998. It supports Irish businesses at all stages of their growth journey by providing funding, advisory services, and market access assistance. The agency focuses on helping companies scale and compete internationally across various industries, including technology and manufacturing. Notably, Enterprise Ireland has been involved in several transactions within the cybersecurity space, such as leading a seed funding round for Cytidel, a cybersecurity startup that raised €1.35 million, and backing Mesh, a provider of email security solutions that raised €1.55 million in seed funding. These investments highlight their active role in fostering growth in the cybersecurity sector.


5. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2011. The firm focuses on providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses in the UK and Ireland. BGF addresses the funding gap in the market through minority investments and extensive support services. Notably, BGF has invested in several cybersecurity companies, including a £10.5 million investment in e2e-assure, aimed at facilitating international growth and expanding its market offerings. Additionally, BGF invested £5 million in PureCyber to help the company expand its client base and market share. Furthermore, BGF has supported KYND, a provider of cyber risk management solutions, in its expansion and development efforts. These transactions highlight BGF's active role in the cybersecurity sector, reinforcing its position as a relevant investor in this field.


6. Kima Ventures

  • Website: kimaventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 50
  • LinkedIn: kima-ventures

Kima Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups across various sectors, backing two startups per week with financial support and mentorship. Notably, Kima Ventures has made significant investments in the cybersecurity space, including a $1 million funding round for Cobalt, a company focused on enhancing web security and application security. Additionally, they participated in a funding round for Elba, a French cybersecurity startup that raised €2.5 million to expand internationally and invest in research and development. These transactions highlight Kima Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative companies in the cybersecurity domain, alongside their broader investment strategy.


7. Securitas Group


Securitas Group, founded in 1934 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, is a leading security services company that provides a wide range of security solutions, including advisory services, on-site guarding, and technology-driven security. The company serves various industries such as aviation, construction, and retail, helping clients protect their assets and ensure safety through tailored security measures. In recent years, Securitas has made significant acquisitions to bolster its electronic security capabilities, including the acquisition of STANLEY's Electronic Security Solutions business for $3.2 billion in December 2021, which aimed to enhance its technological offerings. Additionally, Securitas acquired STANLEY Security's electronic security businesses in multiple countries for $64 million in September 2020, further expanding its reach in the electronic security market. Other notable transactions include the acquisition of Securitas Electronic Security in 2015 for approximately $351.6 million and Iverify in January 2020, both of which underscore Securitas's commitment to integrating advanced security technologies into its service offerings.


8. Microsoft Accelerator


Microsoft Accelerator is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2013. It is part of Microsoft, a leading technology company specializing in artificial intelligence and cloud computing solutions. Microsoft Accelerator aims to enhance productivity for businesses and organizations across various industries through its products, including Microsoft Copilot and Azure AI services. The firm has been involved in several transactions within the cybersecurity context, including participation in funding rounds for Talon Cyber Security, which raised $100 million in Series A funding, and other companies like ShieldSquare, ThreatBook, Appknox, and InstaSafe. These investments reflect Microsoft's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the cybersecurity landscape, particularly as it relates to secure AI integration and cloud services.


9. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Founded in 1994, EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. In recent years, EQT has made notable investments in the cybersecurity sector, including the acquisition of Acronis, a leader in data protection and cybersecurity, which is set to close in 2025. They also acquired Ontinue, a company that operates within the cybersecurity domain, and Utimaco, further emphasizing their strategic focus on cybersecurity investments. These transactions reflect EQT's commitment to enhancing their portfolio with companies that are pivotal in the cybersecurity landscape.


10. Mercia Asset Management PLC

  • Website: mercia.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Henley-In-Arden, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1982
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 41
  • LinkedIn: mercia-asset-management

Mercia Asset Management PLC is a venture capital firm based in Henley-In-Arden, England, specializing in providing venture capital, private equity, and debt financing to support the growth of UK businesses. Founded in 1982, Mercia focuses on ambitious businesses across various sectors, particularly technology and innovation. Notably, they have been involved in significant transactions within the cybersecurity space, including a £1.8 million funding round for CyberHive, a UK cybersecurity company, aimed at expanding their cybersecurity platform, Trusted Cloud. Additionally, they participated in a venture round for Melius Cyber, raising over $650,000, and have also been involved in funding rounds for Netacea, a company that secured $5 million in Series A funding. These transactions highlight Mercia's active role in supporting the growth of cybersecurity firms, reinforcing their relevance in this industry.


11. SoftBank Investment Advisers


SoftBank Investment Advisers, also known as the SoftBank Vision Fund, is a venture capital fund based in London, England, founded in 2017. The fund specializes in investing in technology-focused companies, particularly those innovating in artificial intelligence. With a diverse portfolio, SoftBank has made notable investments in the cybersecurity sector, including significant funding rounds for companies like Cybereason, which raised $120 million in Series H and $275 million in Series F, and Claroty, which secured $400 million in Series E funding. Additionally, they have backed Cato Networks in a funding round that raised $238 million. These transactions highlight SoftBank's strategic interest in cybersecurity, alongside their broader investment strategy in various technology sectors.


12. ASSA ABLOY Group

  • Website: assaabloy.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: assaabloy

ASSA ABLOY Group, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, is a leading security solutions provider specializing in locks, doors, gates, and entrance automation. With a workforce exceeding 10,000 employees, the company has established itself as a leader in the security industry through innovation and a diverse product portfolio. In recent years, ASSA ABLOY has made significant strides in the cybersecurity domain through strategic acquisitions. Notably, the acquisition of ZeroSSL in January 2024 enhances their capabilities in public key infrastructure (PKI) and Internet of Things (IoT) security, integrating SSL certificate expertise into their offerings. Additionally, the planned acquisition of 3millID, which specializes in physical access control readers and credentials, further underscores their commitment to security solutions that bridge both physical and digital access control. These transactions reflect ASSA ABLOY's strategic focus on enhancing security through technology, making them a noteworthy investor in the cybersecurity space.


13. Apax

  • Website: apax.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1981
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: apax-partners

Apax Partners LLP is a private equity firm based in London, England, founded in 1981. The firm specializes in managing investments across various sectors, including technology, internet/consumer, healthcare, and services. Apax collaborates with management teams of high-potential companies to drive growth and innovation. In the cybersecurity context, Apax has made significant investments, including the acquisition of Sophos, a leading British security software vendor, for $895 million in 2010, which highlights their interest in the security software sector. Additionally, they acquired Coalfire, a cybersecurity compliance firm, in December 2019, and MailInBlack, a cybersecurity company, in September 2022. Furthermore, Apax has invested in The Herjavec Group, a global Managed Security Services Provider, further solidifying their presence in the cybersecurity landscape. These transactions reflect Apax's strategic focus on enhancing security capabilities within their investment portfolio, catering to institutional investors seeking growth in the cybersecurity domain.



Cybersecurity Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
AccentureDublin, Dublin, Ireland10001+200151
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
Index VenturesLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200199667
Enterprise IrelandDublin, Dublin, Ireland501-1000199848
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
Kima VenturesParis, Île-De-France, France1-10201050
Securitas GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden10001+19340
Microsoft AcceleratorLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020130
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
Mercia Asset Management PLCHenley-In-Arden, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200198241
SoftBank Investment AdvisersLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-500201714
ASSA ABLOY GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden10001+199421
ApaxLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-50019818


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