The Istanbul-based venture capital firm 500 Emerging Europe has rebranded as e2vc, marking a strategic evolution in its mission to support global-focused startups in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), the Baltics, and Turkey. Now fully independent from 500 Global, e2vc emphasizes its unique approach to fostering startups designed to scale internationally.

Since its inception in 2016, the team behind e2vc has been instrumental in transforming Emerging Europe’s tech landscape. Fund I, a €10 million investment raised between 2016 and 2020, produced 28 portfolio companies, including three unicorns, while collectively employing over 4,000 people. Fund II, launched in 2021 with €70 million, has already backed companies nearing unicorn status.

e2vc specializes in $1 million investments at pre-seed and idea stages, positioning itself distinctively from accelerator-driven models. The firm’s focus is on empowering founders with a “global-first mindset” and leveraging the region’s unique strengths—high technical talent, adaptability, and a need to think globally due to smaller local markets.

General Partner Enis Hulli explains, “Emerging Europe is like Israel in its ability to export technology globally from day one. Our companies are built to compete in the US and beyond.” This approach has resulted in $3 billion in follow-on funding from top-tier investors, including Sequoia and Andreessen Horowitz.

Despite global market volatility, e2vc’s portfolio remains resilient. “Our companies emerged stronger by focusing on early market entry and resourceful operations,” says General Partner Arın Özkula.

With team members across San Francisco, New York, and London, e2vc provides founders with access to a global network of entrepreneurs, customers, and investors. This rebranding signals a commitment to driving the next wave of global tech success from Emerging Europe.

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