Sunfish Partners

Sunfish Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Berlin that specializes in investing in deep tech startups, primarily in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Their mission is to support technically strong founders building B2B software and hardware-enabled software companies, with a focus on sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, space, defense, and health tech. They typically invest at the pre-seed and seed stages with ticket sizes ranging from €150k to €500k, aiming to help startups scale globally and secure Europe's technological autonomy. Sunfish Partners has backed over 40 companies, including notable names like Aether Biomedical, Molecule One, and Scramjet, contributing significantly to the deep tech startup ecosystem in the region by providing patient capital and operational support[1][4][6].

Founded around 2019, Sunfish Partners was established by key partners including Dr. Marcus Erken, who emphasize a disciplined, founder-focused investment approach. The firm evolved from a broader European deep tech interest to a sharper focus on Polish and CEE startups with global ambitions. Their strategy avoids hype-driven trends, instead investing slowly and deliberately to spend more time with portfolio companies. This approach has allowed them to build a strong network and reputation in the Polish deep tech scene, supporting startups from ideation through early revenue stages[4][6].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Focus on deep tech startups at pre-seed and seed stages with patient, hands-on support rather than chasing hype or rapid scaling.
• Network Strength: Strong connections within the Polish and broader CEE deep tech ecosystem, enabling access to technical talent and follow-on funding.
• Track Record: Over 40 investments with several successful exits and a portfolio spanning AI, space, defense, health, and cybersecurity.
• Operating Support: Active involvement in scaling startups, providing strategic guidance and leveraging sector-specific expertise, especially in defense and space tech[1][4][6].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Sunfish Partners rides the growing trend of deep tech innovation in Europe, particularly in Poland and CEE, where technical talent and startup activity are rising. The timing is critical as Europe seeks technological sovereignty in strategic sectors like defense, space, and AI. Market forces such as increased government interest in defense tech, growing AI adoption, and the maturation of hardware-software integration favor their investment thesis. By focusing on early-stage deep tech, Sunfish Partners helps bridge the funding gap in a region often overlooked by larger international funds at the seed stage, thus strengthening the European tech ecosystem and fostering global competitiveness[4][6].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Sunfish Partners is likely to deepen its focus on strategic sectors like space, defense, and AI-driven health technologies, capitalizing on rising geopolitical and technological trends. As competition intensifies at Series A and beyond, their early-stage specialization and local expertise position them well to identify and nurture the next generation of European deep tech leaders. Their influence may grow as they help secure Europe's autonomy in critical technologies while expanding their portfolio and possibly increasing fund size to support scaling startups more robustly[4][6]. This trajectory ties back to their mission of empowering technically excellent founders to build globally impactful companies from Central and Eastern Europe.