In 2024, 52% of founders who secured VC attention in Europe were seasoned entrepreneurs. As experienced founders dominate the stage, a crucial question arises: Can Gen Z founders break through, or will experience continue to define success in venture capital?
Why Investors Still Favor Experienced Founders
The European VC ecosystem in 2024 reveals a clear trend: proven track records attract the most attention. According to new data from Onstage (formerly Focal), which analyzed over 4,000 startup applicants, 52% of founders who captivated investors were serial entrepreneurs. Nearly 20% were building their third company.
Beyond experience, other recurring traits included previous investment expertise (23%), product development backgrounds (23%), and C-suite leadership roles (20%). Academic strength also played a part, with 16% holding PhDs or scientific qualifications. Encouragingly, diversity improved as well — 50% were state-educated, a third identified as women or non-binary, and 80% came from diverse backgrounds.
As Onstage’s co-founder Taos Edmondson highlighted, European innovation depends heavily on seasoned founders who can deliver high-impact, high-return companies. Their focus remains on ensuring these talents aren’t overlooked as they back the best emerging founders.
Gen Z Entrepreneurs: Rising with a New Mindset
Despite the dominance of experienced founders, Gen Z is eager to reshape the landscape. Surveys show 60% of Gen Z Europeans plan to launch a startup within the next 3–5 years. However, expectations from investors have evolved. A polished pitch is no longer enough; VCs now demand functional products and early revenue traction.
This shift naturally benefits repeat founders who know how to marshal resources quickly. Furkat Kasimov of LeadsMarket emphasized that while the bar for first checks has risen, Gen Z founders still have strong opportunities, especially with U.S. capital increasingly eyeing Europe for fresh investments.
However, youth isn’t a dealbreaker. Flavia Levi from Join Capital stressed that venture capital is a “game of exceptions.” In sectors like deeptech, young technical founders are often backed early. It’s only when scaling and selling begin that investors prefer seasoned leadership to open doors.
Moreover, Gen Z entrepreneurs bring powerful advantages. As Konstantin Gnyp of Runa Capital noted, this generation grew up immersed in platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and AI tools, giving them an intuitive grasp of new distribution channels and faster product cycles that older generations often lack.
Europe’s Infrastructure: Help or Hindrance?
Compared to the U.S., Europe offers key structural advantages. Social safety nets and government-funded education systems lower the risk of launching startups, freeing young founders from the crippling burden of student debt seen across America. As Niamh O’Donnell from Unusual Ventures explained, this environment encourages entrepreneurial risk-taking among Gen Z Europeans.
Still, Europe’s VC scene remains more pedigree-driven and risk-averse than the U.S. In Europe, a founder’s background and network still carry significant weight, sometimes overshadowing product-market fit or technological promise. In contrast, U.S. investors tend to prioritize bold ideas and measurable traction.
What Will Propel Gen Z Founders Forward?
Several factors suggest a bright future for Gen Z entrepreneurs:
- No-code platforms and AI tools have lowered the barriers to building scalable businesses.
- Gen Z is spearheading innovation across gaming, the creator economy, Web3, climate tech, and AI-native applications.
- The rise of micro VCs, angel syndicates, and emerging funds eager for next-generation founders is opening new paths to capital.
- A strong emphasis on sustainability, diversity, and social impact resonates deeply with today’s investors.
Dario Ferretti, CEO and co-founder of Pick-Roll APP, believes that while experienced entrepreneurs currently command attention, the next disruptive wave will heavily feature Gen Z founders. Building credibility early through advisory boards, incubators, and accelerators will be key to bridging the experience gap.
How Gen Z Founders Can Maximize Their Success
Winning VC support isn’t just about being young and innovative. It requires blending fresh ideas with strategic team-building. Davide Dattoli, Executive Chairman of Talent Garden, advises young founders to study their industries deeply and surround themselves with seasoned leaders to boost investor confidence.
Anna Muñoz Farré, CEO of Punto Health, adds that startups thrive when teams are diverse and encourage different perspectives. Creating a culture where it’s safe to think differently not only attracts exceptional talent but also fuels lasting innovation.
Although experience currently tilts the scales, Gen Z founders are far from sidelined. With the right mix of preparation, resilience, and innovation, they are poised to build Europe’s next unicorns and redefine the future of entrepreneurship.
As Onstage put it best: “World-class founders can come from all walks of life. Our goal is to build a level playing field so the best can rise. Gen Z has a future here — and it’s a bright one.”
