Ask HN: Have you ever heard about A.Bechtolsheim-style investors in Europe?

As the story goes Andy Bechtolsheim gave Brin and Page a $100.000 check after their first meeting in 1998. There was no contract, no discussion about the valuation of the company and Google was not yet created. This is a dream come true for startup creators. Does it still happen ? Have you ever heard about similar stories in Europe ?