Paris-based venture capital firm C4 Ventures has unveiled a new €100 million investment fund focused on advancing European artificial intelligence initiatives with a strong emphasis on sovereignty.
Founded by Pascal Cagni, former head of Apple Europe, alongside other senior executives from Apple and Microsoft, C4 Ventures has long positioned itself at the intersection of technology and strategic innovation.
With this new fund, the firm aims to back startups that will help Europe build a more self-reliant AI ecosystem, reducing dependence on non-European platforms and infrastructure.
The fund will primarily target early- and growth-stage companies across Europe that are developing foundational technologies and applications in artificial intelligence, particularly in areas where strategic independence is critical, such as cloud infrastructure, data security, and industry-specific AI solutions.
Cagni emphasized that Europe’s ability to innovate in AI is not just a matter of competitiveness but also of autonomy, as governments and enterprises increasingly call for technology solutions developed and hosted within Europe.
The move comes amid growing policy momentum in Brussels and other European capitals to secure technological independence in key sectors.
For C4 Ventures, this latest fund represents both a continuation and an expansion of its investment thesis, which has historically included bets on transformative technologies across hardware, software, and next-generation connectivity. The firm believes AI sovereignty will be one of the defining themes for Europe over the next decade.
C4 joins a growing list of European venture funds aligning their strategies with geopolitical and regulatory priorities, reflecting how the AI race is reshaping not only global competition but also regional investment dynamics.