Big Sur Ventures
Big Sur Ventures is a Madrid-based early-stage venture capital firm investing €100k-€1M in Pre-Seed to Series A technology companies across Spain and Europe, with thematic focus on Deep Tech and Internet/SaaS sectors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersMadrid, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Big Sur Ventures does
Big Sur Ventures is a Madrid-based early-stage venture capital firm (legal entity: BIG SUR VENTURES, SGEIC, S.A.) that invests in technology-enabled companies from Pre-Seed through Series A, with typical initial ticket sizes of €100k-€1M. Founded in 2012, the firm manages two primary fund vehicles: BSV FCRE (launched 2019) for seed and pre-A investments, and BSV IV ARIADNE FCRE (launched 2021) for early-stage deep tech. Investment activity is organized around two themes: "Power of Internet" (software, SaaS, internet, IT) and "Deep Tech" (quantum, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, photonics, microelectronics, nanotechnology). Since inception, Big Sur has built a portfolio of more than 50 companies, with recent disclosed activity spanning LuxQuanta (quantum cybersecurity, €8M Series A led October 2025), Axiomatic AI (AI verification for semiconductors, $18M seed participated March 2026), and Floatech (silicon anode batteries, €1M seed May 2025 plus €2.5M EIC Accelerator grant March 2026).
The firm operates on standard VC economics: management fees on assets under management as the recurring operational revenue stream, and carried interest from portfolio exits as the performance-driven component. Big Sur serves two customer segments: portfolio company founders seeking capital and hands-on operational guidance, and institutional Limited Partners seeking exposure to European early-stage technology. The firm positions itself as a high-conviction, operationally engaged investor, with the team claiming over 50 years of combined serial-entrepreneur experience in Internet and Deep Tech. Distribution of capital occurs directly through fund vehicles; deal sourcing relies on the firm's website pitch submission process, founder referrals, and ecosystem network relationships.
Big Sur is led by Managing Partner Jose Miguel Herrero, supported by Partners Ismael Almazán and Joaquín Azpilicueta (Operating Partner), Venture Partner Francisco Berlanga, plus specialized staff in legal and investor relations. The firm is headquartered at Orense 33, 3ºB, Madrid, with a reported headcount of 11-50 employees. Operational geographies center on Spain and broader Europe, though recent co-investments alongside US firms (Kleiner Perkins, Engine Ventures) indicate growing cross-Atlantic syndicate participation.
Big Sur Ventures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Big Sur Ventures
- Legal name
- BIG SUR VENTURES, SGEIC, S.A.
- Website
- https://bigsurventures.vc
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Big Sur Ventures is a Madrid-based early-stage venture capital firm investing €100k-€1M in Pre-Seed to Series A technology companies across Spain and Europe, with thematic focus on Deep Tech and Internet/SaaS sectors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Big Sur Ventures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394), Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B) (FSANAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sector-Focused Venture Capital (Vertical Specialists) (FSANAAAD)
Keywords
Where Big Sur Ventures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madrid
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Big Sur Ventures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Management Fees: VC firms typically charge management fees on funds under management as their operational revenue stream.
- Carried Interest: Performance-based returns from successful portfolio company exits (IPOs, acquisitions) which generate profits shared with the GP.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Big Sur Ventures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Big Sur Ventures is a Madrid-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests in technology-enabled startups from Pre-Seed to Series A, typically deploying €100k–€1M in initial investments. It manages two funds (BSV FCRE and BSV IV ARIADNE FCRE) organized around two investment themes: 'Power of Internet' (software, SaaS, IT) and 'Deep Tech' (quantum, AI, photonics, microelectronics, nanotech, advanced materials). The firm provides hands-on operational support, transactional expertise, network access, and strategic judgment alongside capital deployment.
Product overview
Big Sur Ventures is a Madrid-based early-stage venture capital firm that operates as a fund manager rather than a product company. The firm manages two main funds: BSV FCRE (launched in 2019 for Seed and Pre-A investments) and BSV IV ARIADNE FCRE (for early-stage deep tech investments). The firm's investment strategy is organized around two thematic areas: Deep Tech (covering quantum, AI, materials, photonics, microelectronics, and nanotechnology) and Power of Internet (covering software, internet, and IT services). Big Sur Ventures invests between €100k-1M in initial investments, ranging from Pre-Seed to Series A stages, with a focus on B2B technology companies that can become global leaders.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- BSV FCRE Seed and Pre-A venture capital fund focused on highly scalable technology-enabled companies, for portfolio companies and limited partners.
- BSV IV ARIADNE FCRE Early-stage venture capital fund focused on technology-based and deep tech companies with high growth potential, for portfolio companies and limited partners.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50+ portfolio companies built since 2012
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Big Sur Ventures
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Big Sur Ventures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Big Sur Ventures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Big Sur Ventures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Seaya Ventures: Madrid-headquartered Spanish VC investing in early-stage technology companies across Iberia. Comparable by geography, stage, and orientation toward high-growth tech founders.
- Samaipata: Spanish early-stage VC focused on digital platforms and SaaS. Comparable to Big Sur's 'Power of Internet' thesis at Pre-Seed/Seed stage in Spain and Europe.
- Encomenda Smart Capital: Barcelona-based early-stage Spanish VC investing in Seed rounds. Comparable geography and stage focus, with similar backing of Spanish tech founders.
- Elaia Partners: Paris-based European early-stage VC with a deep tech and digital focus. Comparable to Big Sur's combination of deep tech (AI, quantum) and SaaS investing at early stages.
- JME Ventures: Spanish early-stage venture capital firm investing in technology startups from Seed to Series A. Directly comparable by geography, stage, and sector focus on Spanish tech founders.
- Kfund: Madrid-based early-stage Spanish VC investing in Spanish and European tech startups at Seed/Series A. Highly comparable geography, stage, and check size to Big Sur Ventures.
- Caixa Capital Risc: Spanish early-stage VC affiliated with 'la Caixa' banking group, investing in Spanish tech startups. Comparable by geography, stage, and active participation in Spanish ecosystem rounds.
- Inveready: Spanish early-stage VC manager with multiple funds covering tech, life sciences, and deep tech. Comparable in size, stage focus, and Spanish/European investment geography.
Broad incumbents
- Speedinvest: Pan-European early-stage VC with multiple sector-focused funds. Larger and broader than Big Sur but overlaps heavily in Seed/Series A deep tech and SaaS in Europe.
- Earlybird: Long-standing European early-stage VC with deep tech and digital focus. Larger and more established than Big Sur, with a comparable thesis on technology-enabled founders.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Big Sur Ventures social profiles
Digital presenceBig Sur Ventures compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Big Sur Ventures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Big Sur Ventures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Big Sur Ventures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Big Sur Ventures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments79 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Big Sur Ventures
What does Big Sur Ventures do?
Big Sur Ventures is a Madrid-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests in technology-enabled startups from Pre-Seed to Series A, typically deploying €100k–€1M in initial investments. It manages two funds (BSV FCRE and BSV IV ARIADNE FCRE) organized around two investment themes: 'Power of Internet' (software, SaaS, IT) and 'Deep Tech' (quantum, AI, photonics, microelectronics, nanotech, advanced materials). The firm provides hands-on operational support, transactional expertise, network access, and strategic judgment alongside capital deployment.
Is Big Sur Ventures a public or private company?
Big Sur Ventures is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Big Sur Ventures founded?
Big Sur Ventures was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Big Sur Ventures based?
Big Sur Ventures is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Big Sur Ventures make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are carried Interest.
Who are Big Sur Ventures's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Seaya Ventures, Samaipata, Encomenda Smart Capital, Elaia Partners, JME Ventures, Kfund, Caixa Capital Risc and Inveready. Broad incumbents are Speedinvest and Earlybird.
Does Big Sur Ventures have an API?
No public API is recorded for Big Sur Ventures.
What industry is Big Sur Ventures in?
Big Sur Ventures's product category is Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAB, Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B), with a secondary code of FSANAAAD, Sector-Focused Venture Capital (Vertical Specialists). Its NAICS code is 52394 and its SIC code is 6282.