The Women Angels Quietly Reshaping European Tech

Jan de Vries · 2026-11-05

Europe's startup scene is buzzing with a growing force: women business angels. They're not just writing checks; they're backing promising founders, fueling early-stage innovation, and helping build the next wave of successful companies. And they bring more than money—think deep industry expertise, hard-won entrepreneurial experience, and networks that open doors. Venture capital may grab the headlines, but business angels are the unsung heroes of Europe's tech ecosystem, especially at the earliest stages. A 2025 report from the European Parliamentary Research Service confirms it: angels are a major pillar of the EU's innovation landscape. From seasoned investors with sprawling portfolios to entrepreneurs-turned-angels betting on emerging tech, this alphabetical list shines a light on 50 women shaping European tech today. Let's meet a few of them. ### The Trailblazers Ana Barjasic wears many hats: founder and CEO of Connectology, angel investor, and ambassador for the European Innovation Council. She supports early-stage companies through investment, fundraising savvy, and initiatives that connect European founders with international capital. Andrea Sinclair, based in the UK, is an angel investor, member of the HERmesa syndicate, and venture partner at Ascension. With years of early-stage experience, she was named an investor in women's health startup PeriPear's 2026 pre-seed round. Annegien Blokpoel is the founder and managing partner of PerspeXo and founder of the Catalyst Impact Investment Club, focusing on early-stage impact investing and sustainable technologies. In 2024, she was named Europe's Female Angel Investor of the Year. ### Building Communities and Champions Bettine Schmitz co-founded the Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund and the Evangelistas angel network. Her investments support women-led and mixed-gender founding teams across Europe's tech sector. Céline Lazorthes is a French entrepreneur, angel investor, and founder of Leetchi, the FinTech behind Mangopay. She backs early-stage tech companies, with personal investments in HealthTech startups Lucis and DermaScan in 2026. Christina Caljé is the founder and CEO of TINTT, an independent angel investor, and startup adviser. Her portfolio includes Lalaland, Newcon, and Lucky Sweater, reflecting her interest in emerging tech and consumer businesses. Cintia Mano, a Portuguese angel investor, COREangels partner, and former CEO of COREangels International, has personally invested in more than 30 startups. She was recognized as Europe's Female Angel Investor of the Year in 2025. ### Driving Impact and Inclusion Constanze Buchheim is the founder and managing partner of i-potentials, a German leadership advisory firm, and an experienced business angel. Her investments include Delivery Hero and Empion, and she advises tech companies on leadership and scaling. Debbie Wosskow is a British entrepreneur, angel investor, and co-chair of the Invest in Women Taskforce. A co-founder of WJV and executive chair of The Better Menopause, she has backed early-stage businesses like Hybr and advocates for greater access to capital for women founders. Deepali Nangia is a partner at Speedinvest, co-founder of Alma Angels, and an experienced independent angel investor. Her personal investments include PensionBee and Planera, and she works to increase women's participation in early-stage investing across Europe. Emilie Dellecker co-founded FoodHack, HackGroup, and HackCapital, supporting investment and entrepreneurship in food tech. She invests through the FoodHack angel syndicate and was named among the angels in Bright Biotech's 2022 funding round. Fiona Pathiraja is the managing director of Mana... (list continues). > "These women are not just investors; they're mentors, connectors, and catalysts for change." ### Why This Matters for Founders For any founder—especially those in the US looking at Europe—these angels represent a wealth of opportunity. They understand the local landscape, can spot talent early, and often roll up their sleeves to help. If you're building a startup, don't overlook the power of angel networks. They might just be your ticket to scaling across the Atlantic. And for aspiring angels? These women show that you don't need a venture fund to make a difference. You can start small, invest in what you know, and build a portfolio that reflects your values. Europe's tech ecosystem is richer for their contributions. And as more women step into angel investing, the future looks even brighter.