Midas List Europe 2025 submissions are officially open through October 23, marking the ninth year of Forbes’ definitive ranking of the continent’s top venture capitalists. The prestigious list comes at a pivotal moment for Europe‘s venture ecosystem, with AI startups achieving billion-dollar valuations and major exits like Klarna’s $20 billion IPO reshaping the investment landscape according to recent analysis.
What Makes The Midas List Europe Unique
The Midas List Europe stands apart from other rankings through its rigorous, data-driven methodology developed in partnership with TrueBridge Capital Partners. Unlike subjective awards, this ranking evaluates hundreds of investors based exclusively on portfolio performance metrics and tangible results. The judging panel features three senior investment professionals who collectively manage over $120 billion of assets, ensuring expert validation while maintaining anonymity to protect the list’s integrity.
Eligibility requirements focus on substantial financial outcomes: portfolio companies must have gone public or been acquired for at least $100 million over the past five years, or have at least doubled their private valuation since initial investment to $200 million or more. The model particularly rewards investors who demonstrate high conviction bets that generate liquid exits, which count more heavily than unrealized returns in the evaluation process.
European Venture Capital Landscape Evolution
Europe’s top startup investors are capitalizing on a remarkable influx of AI talent forming groundbreaking companies across the continent. Firms backing emerging leaders like Elevenlabs, Mistral and Black Forest Labs are seeing these startup companies compete with global giants while commanding billion-dollar-plus valuations. This technological revolution coincides with significant infrastructure development, as seen in NVIDIA’s expanding AI development platforms that empower these European innovators.
The regional scope extends beyond traditional European boundaries to include the Middle East, recognizing the increasingly interconnected nature of venture ecosystems. This year’s rankings face substantial disruption from both the AI boom and landmark exits, particularly Klarna’s $20 billion IPO that represents one of the largest windfalls for local investors in recent history.
Submission Process And Key Dates
Investors from across Europe and the Middle East’s top venture firms can submit their portfolios for consideration through the October 23 deadline. The submission process maintains strict confidentiality, with portfolio performance data shared in the Midas process remaining unpublished and securely handled by professionals with decades of experience.
Key aspects of the submission process include:
- Extended deadline: Submissions accepted through October 23, 2025
- Global list consideration: Investors who submitted for the global Midas List published each May are encouraged to re-submit unless their portfolio activity remains unchanged
- Data protection: All portfolio information handled with strict confidentiality protocols
- Regional focus: Specifically evaluates performance within European and Middle Eastern markets
Anticipating The 2025 Ranking Shakeup
Last year’s Midas List Europe saw Berlin-based Pawel Chudzinski of Point Nine Capital claim the top position through early bets on fintech giant Revolut, which is now reportedly raising at a staggering $65 billion valuation. The upcoming list promises even greater volatility, driven by multiple factors reshaping the investment landscape.
The convergence of a new wave of European AI startups and a flurry of exits in the Nordic region could dramatically alter the rankings. Meanwhile, broader economic conditions continue to influence venture outcomes, with ongoing economic policy discussions affecting market dynamics across investment sectors. The legendary Midas touch seems particularly valuable in this environment, where selective high-conviction investments separate top performers from the pack.
Forbes’ Legacy In Venture Capital Recognition
Forbes has established the Midas List as the most prestigious recognition in venture capital, with the European edition now in its ninth year of celebrating the investors behind the continent’s most successful technology companies. The publication’s commitment to data-driven analysis rather than popularity contests has made the list both highly anticipated and widely respected within global investment circles.
As the submission window remains open through October 23, venture capitalists across Europe and the Middle East are preparing their portfolios for consideration. With AI transformation accelerating and exit markets showing renewed vigor, the Midas List Europe 2025 promises to highlight the investors best positioned to navigate today’s complex venture landscape while delivering exceptional returns for their limited partners.
