Lunar Ventures is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2017, specializing in pre-seed investments in deep tech startups. The firm is led by a diverse team of engineers, scientists, and operators, including Dr. Elad Verbin, Mick Halsband, and Luis Shemtov. Lunar Ventures focuses on backing technical founders from day zero, providing hands-on support and deep technical expertise to help them navigate the complexities of building groundbreaking technologies.
Lunar Ventures targets early-stage investments in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, scientific discovery tools at the intersection of biology and computation, and autonomous systems designed to operate in complex real-world environments.
The firm seeks out startups that are developing novel solutions in these domains, with a particular emphasis on those that have the potential to drive significant technological advancements
In May 2025, Lunar Ventures announced the launch of its second fund, a $57M vehicle aimed at supporting early-stage deep tech startups across Europe and select regions of the United States. Fund II is backed by limited partners including Isomer Capital, Lingotto (a subsidiary of Exor), Intesa Sanpaolo Endowment, and Grinnell College Endowment, along with a group of European founders and general partners.
The fund plans to invest in 25 to 30 companies at the pre-seed stage, writing initial checks of €750,000 to €1 million. Approximately 20% of the fund will be allocated to U.S.-based startups located outside the Bay Area. Fund II has already made investments in Berlin-based Bruin, which offers an integrated data stack platform, and London-based Lodestar Space, a startup developing autonomous robotic systems for satellite defense.
Leadership
Lunar Ventures is led by a team of experienced professionals with deep expertise in technology investments and company building. The firm's leadership includes Dr. Elad Verbin, Mick Halsband, and Luis Shemtov, who bring a wealth of experience in venture capital and hands-on operational experience. The team also includes experts such as Eyal Baroz, Morris Clay, Peter Crane, Alberto Cresto, Mick Halsband, Petra Jurlina, Lawrence Lundy-Bryan, Teddy Ramarotafika, Or (Luis) Shemtov, Elad Verbin, and Cindy Wei.
Investment Strategy
Lunar Ventures employs a hands-on investment strategy, partnering closely with founders to accelerate growth and innovation. The firm leverages its extensive network and industry expertise to support portfolio companies in navigating challenges and scaling their businesses effectively. Lunar Ventures focuses on investing in startups that are developing cutting-edge technologies with the potential to revolutionize their respective industries.
Notable Investments
Lunar Ventures' portfolio includes notable companies such as Deepset, Zama, Electric, Molecule, Hathora, and Unify. These investments reflect the firm's focus on supporting innovative startups that are driving digital transformation across various sectors. Several of these companies have attracted subsequent investment from tier-1 U.S. VCs, including Upfront Ventures, Spark Capital, Google Ventures, SignalFire, and Founders Fund
