Key Takeaways
- • EU-Startups has published a "Top 50" alphabetical list of women business angels shaping the European tech landscape, spanning established investors, entrepreneurs-turned-angels and fund leaders.
- • The list cites a 2025 report by the European Parliamentary Research Service that identifies business angels as a major component of the EU's innovation ecosystem.
- • Profiled investors include Cintia Mano and Mary McKenna, both named Europe's Female Angel Investor of the Year (2025 and 2023 respectively), alongside Lurdes Gramaxo (2020), Mariana Bozesan (2019) and Paola Bonomo (2017).
- • Several profiles reference 2026 funding rounds, including Andrea Sinclair in PeriPear's pre-seed round, Céline Lazorthes in Lucis and DermaScan, Laura Modiano in Marker's seed round and Louise Herping Ellegaard in Psykoterapeuterne's DKK 1 million investment.
- • The feature highlights women leading angel networks and syndicates, including Bravva Angels, AwakenAngels, Evangelistas, HERmesa and the Alma Angels co-founded by Deepali Nangia.
Summary
EU-Startups has published a "Top 50" feature profiling women business angels it describes as shaping European tech. The list is alphabetical and, according to the publication, is intended to highlight investors who back early-stage founders, contribute industry expertise and provide networks that help startups scale. The article frames angels as a critical complement to venture capital at the earliest stages of funding, citing a 2025 report by the European Parliamentary Research Service that identifies business angels as a major component of the EU's innovation ecosystem.
The profiles span a wide range of backgrounds. Ana Barjasic leads Connectology and serves as an ambassador for the European Innovation Council. Annegien Blokpoel, founder of PerspeXo and Catalyst Impact Investment Club, focuses on impact investing and sustainable technologies. Bettine Schmitz and Gesa Miczaika are associated with the Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, which supports women-led and mixed-gender founding teams. Helena Torras is Managing Partner of PaoCapital, Nina Dremelj leads the Vesna Deep Tech Venture Fund and presides over Business Angels of Slovenia, and Katja Ruhnke chairs Business Angels Deutschland.
Several entries cite specific recent deals. The article notes that Andrea Sinclair was individually named as an investor in women's health startup PeriPear's 2026 pre-seed round, that Louise Herping Ellegaard was named as the investor behind a DKK 1 million investment in Psykoterapeuterne, and that Laura Modiano was named among investors in AI writing startup Marker's 2026 seed round. Other profiles reference historical portfolios, including Jane Walerud's early backing of Klarna and Itxaso del Palacio's investments in BridgeU, Trouva and Leaf.fm. Jessica Holzbach, co-founder of Penta and Partner and CEO Germany at 0TO9, is noted for angel activity as recently as 2024.
The list also recognises several women who have received Europe's Female Angel Investor of the Year honours. Cintia Mano received the award in 2025, Mary McKenna in 2023, Annegien Blokpoel in 2024, Lurdes Gramaxo in 2020, Mariana Bozesan in 2019 and Paola Bonomo in 2017. The article presents these profiles as a reference directory rather than an assessment of investment performance, and the publisher does not disclose selection criteria beyond the list's focus on European tech.
The profiles span a wide range of backgrounds. Ana Barjasic leads Connectology and serves as an ambassador for the European Innovation Council. Annegien Blokpoel, founder of PerspeXo and Catalyst Impact Investment Club, focuses on impact investing and sustainable technologies. Bettine Schmitz and Gesa Miczaika are associated with the Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, which supports women-led and mixed-gender founding teams. Helena Torras is Managing Partner of PaoCapital, Nina Dremelj leads the Vesna Deep Tech Venture Fund and presides over Business Angels of Slovenia, and Katja Ruhnke chairs Business Angels Deutschland.
Several entries cite specific recent deals. The article notes that Andrea Sinclair was individually named as an investor in women's health startup PeriPear's 2026 pre-seed round, that Louise Herping Ellegaard was named as the investor behind a DKK 1 million investment in Psykoterapeuterne, and that Laura Modiano was named among investors in AI writing startup Marker's 2026 seed round. Other profiles reference historical portfolios, including Jane Walerud's early backing of Klarna and Itxaso del Palacio's investments in BridgeU, Trouva and Leaf.fm. Jessica Holzbach, co-founder of Penta and Partner and CEO Germany at 0TO9, is noted for angel activity as recently as 2024.
The list also recognises several women who have received Europe's Female Angel Investor of the Year honours. Cintia Mano received the award in 2025, Mary McKenna in 2023, Annegien Blokpoel in 2024, Lurdes Gramaxo in 2020, Mariana Bozesan in 2019 and Paola Bonomo in 2017. The article presents these profiles as a reference directory rather than an assessment of investment performance, and the publisher does not disclose selection criteria beyond the list's focus on European tech.
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