Creator Fund has secured an initial close of $41 million (£30.4m) for its first European institutional fund, more than double the size of its 2022 UK vehicle, with a final close expected in early 2026.

Anchored by Equation Capital and Denmark’s Export and Investment Fund (EIFO), the fund has drawn backing from more than 60 limited partners.

The Kensington-based pre-seed VC specialises in turning university research into startups and now operates across 24 universities in eight countries, using a model that recruits students on campus to help identify promising founders.

Over the past five years it has backed 55 companies that went on to raise more than $250m in follow-on funding, including two exits such as the sale of neural rendering startup Loci to Epic Games.

The first investments from the new fund include Ovo Labs, focused on fertility science, and Sphotonix, which develops laser-engraved glass data storage.