Itxaso del Palacio

ℹ️(2025-11-11T19:38.399Z)
Perplexity Query
(2025-11-11T19:38
.399Z)
Question:
Write a comprehensive one-page article about "Itxaso del Palacio, VC".
Model: sonar-pro
Itxaso del Palacio, Venture Capitalist: A Leader in European SaaS Investment
Itxaso del Palacio is a prominent venture capitalist best known for her leadership as General Partner at Notion VC, a leading European VC firm specializing in B2B SaaS investments. [1w47mc] [jptm2q] [7cfoh3] Her work has significantly shaped the European startup ecosystem, particularly in the technology-driven business software sector, making her a vital figure for entrepreneurs and investors navigating the competitive landscape of enterprise innovation. [1w47mc] [jptm2q]

A Closer Look at Itxaso del Palacio’s Role and Impact

With a career rooted in engineering, entrepreneurship, and advanced study—a BSc and MSc in Engineering and a PhD in Economics and Venture Capital—Itxaso del Palacio brings a unique analytical rigor to venture capital. [1w47mc] [os0v3p] At Notion Capital, she has led investments in some of the most innovative SaaS companies across Europe, including GoCardless, CurrencyCloud, TradeShift, Unbabel, Yulife, Cledara, Onfido, and Beamery. [1w47mc] [7cfoh3]
Before joining Notion, Del Palacio held key roles at other major investment organizations, such as M12 (Microsoft Ventures) and Lepe Partners, focusing on early to growth-stage tech startups. [1w47mc] [os0v3p] [jptm2q] Her approach is deeply product-led, favoring teams obsessed with building exceptional, user-centric solutions—a philosophy she credits with surfacing extra-resilient, high-growth companies, especially in turbulent times. [jptm2q] [7cfoh3]
In addition to her investment work, del Palacio is a respected educator. She has taught entrepreneurship at leading institutions including University College London (UCL) and Imperial College, contributing to the development of future startup founders and investors. [1w47mc] [os0v3p] [kuz37z]
Examples and Use Cases
Some notable companies in her portfolio demonstrate her focus:
  • Onfido: Pioneering digital identity verification, used in banking, fintech, and gig economy sectors. [1w47mc]
  • Unbabel: Employing artificial intelligence for seamless language translation, benefiting global customer support teams. [1w47mc]
  • Beamery: Innovating recruitment CRM, helping organizations attract and manage top talent more efficiently. [1w47mc]
Beyond capital, Del Palacio’s engagement with accelerators, founder networks, and academic circles helps startups gain access to mentorship, strategic insights, and global exposure. [1w47mc] [jptm2q]
Benefits and Applications
  • Founder-Centric Support: She empowers product-centric founders, offering guidance and network access to accelerate company growth. [jptm2q] [qje2of]
  • Enterprise Innovation: By focusing on B2B SaaS, her investments support scalability, ongoing revenue streams, and digital transformation of traditional sectors. [1w47mc] [jptm2q] [7cfoh3]
  • Diversity and Education: Through her roles as an academic and mentor, she champions diversity in venture capital and entrepreneurship. [jptm2q] [kuz37z]
Challenges and Considerations
  • The B2B SaaS sector is highly competitive and rapidly evolving, requiring investors to constantly adapt to new technological trends and market needs. [7cfoh3]
  • Product-led growth strategies—her core investment thesis—demand not just technical excellence but deep customer empathy and persistent iteration, which can be challenging for early-stage teams. [jptm2q]
  • Women and minorities remain underrepresented in venture capital. Del Palacio is recognized for championing diversity and inclusivity, working to reduce these barriers in the ecosystem. [jptm2q] [kuz37z]
Notion Capital, with over €500 million under management, ranks as one of Europe’s top early-stage SaaS VCs, and Del Palacio’s presence has helped reinforce its reputation for founder-friendly, product-focused investment. [7cfoh3] [qje2of] The firm’s strong focus on portfolio support and network effects positions it as a market leader in nurturing high-potential startups from seed to success. [qje2of]
Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in European B2B SaaS, with SaaS companies becoming increasingly resilient and attractive, notably through scalable digital business models and pandemic-driven enterprise digitization. [7cfoh3] Key players in the sector include Notion Capital, Balderton Capital, Atomico, and the European branch of Microsoft Ventures (M12). [jptm2q] [7cfoh3]

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Del Palacio and Notion Capital are expected to maintain their leadership as the European SaaS landscape matures, with increased investment in AI-powered automation, cybersecurity, and global SaaS platforms. [7cfoh3] The continued growth of product-led investment strategies will likely influence broader venture capital methodologies, fostering innovation and resilience across the technology startup ecosystem. [jptm2q] [7cfoh3]
In summary, Itxaso del Palacio stands out as a driving force in European technology investment, combining technical expertise, strategic vision, and inclusive leadership to shape the future of digital enterprise. Her trajectory points toward a more innovative, equitable, and globally competitive startup landscape.

Citations

[1w47mc] 2025, Jul 12. Itxaso del Palacio | Directory. Updated: 2025-07-12

[os0v3p] 2024, Oct 15. Itxaso del Palacio Partner at M12 Speaker. Published: 2024-01-01 | Updated: 2024-10-15

[3]: 2025, Aug 04. Itxaso del Palacio - LEP Partners - VC - by Doug Scott. Published: 2015-05-21 | Updated: 2025-08-04

[jptm2q] 2025, Mar 11. Women in VC: Breaking into Venture, with Itxaso de Palacio. Published: 2023-12-14 | Updated: 2025-03-11

[7cfoh3] 2025, Nov 11.

EUVC #10 Itxaso del Palacio, Notion Capital
. Published: 2021-04-22 | Updated: 2025-11-11

[kuz37z] 2025, Sep 02.

Women in VC Briefing - Itxaso del Palacio, PhD a Partner at ...
. Published: 2020-10-23 | Updated: 2025-09-02

[qje2of] 2025, Oct 28. Itxaso del Palacio. Published: 2024-01-01 | Updated: 2025-10-28

[8]: 2025, Apr 11. Itxaso del Palacio - Investor and Health Guru!. Published: 2016-01-18 | Updated: 2025-04-11