8 Best Venture Capital (VC) Firms in the Netherlands
Are you searching for the best VC investors in the Netherlands to elevate your startup? Look no further. Our guide pinpoints the leading venture capital firms across the Dutch landscape, known for their keen investment acumen and commitment to fostering startup growth. Discover which VCs are making waves from Amsterdam to Rotterdam and how they can help transform your innovative ideas into reality. It’s all about connecting with the right partner who resonates with your vision and ambitions.
Finch Capital
Finch Capital is a venture capital firm with €450 million in assets under management (AUM), actively shaping the future of over 80 portfolio companies. The firm primarily invests in sectors including payments, regulatory & ESG software, business applications, real estate technology, insurance, and banking & asset management. Focused on the European market, Finch Capital typically invests an initial amount ranging from €5 million to €15 million, with the capacity to invest up to €50 million with co-investors. The firm targets companies with at least €2 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and seeks a minimum equity stake of 20%.
Headquarters: Netherlands
Investment Geography: UK, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Australia, Turkey, Indonesia, Ireland, Singapore, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Philippines
Operating since: 2013
Stages: Series A, Series B
Investment Focus: FinTech (PropTech, Health, Financial Services Software)
Number of investments: 84
Number of exits: 19
Check size: €5m to €15m
Notable investments: Grab, Zopa
Founders/Key People: Radboud Vlaar, Friso Abbing
Website: https://www.finchcapital.com
Gapminder Ventures
Gapminder Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on investments primarily in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and fintech. The firm is active in Eastern Europe and is known for supporting innovative and disruptive technologies. Gapminder typically invests between €300k and €6 million in its portfolio companies. The firm’s investment strategy involves engaging in several deals annually, with an average round size of about $3 million.
Headquarters: Netherlands
Investment Geography: Netherlands, UK, USA, Canada, Romania, Malta, Luxembourg
Operating since: 2017
Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Investment Focus: IT Software & Services, SaaS, Machine Learning/ML, Deep Learning, AI, Digital Transformation, FinTech, Advanced Analytics, Predictive Marketing, CyberSecurity, Health Care IT & MedTech
Number of investments: 80
Number of exits: 8
Check size: €300k – €6m
Notable investments: MultiversX, FintechOS
Founders/Key People: Sergiu Rosca, Dan Mihaescu
Website: https://gapminder.vc
Great Stuff Ventures
Great Stuff Ventures is an Amsterdam-based venture capital fund founded in 2018. The firm primarily invests in innovative technology companies, particularly in the early stages, including seed to pre-series A and later-stage investments. Great Stuff Ventures’ investment thesis is wide-ranging, and they have a diverse portfolio of over 20 companies. The firm’s check size range is between $50,000 and $100,000. Their investment approach is designed to assist founders in creating value and driving growth across various sectors and countries.
Headquarters: Netherlands
Investment Geography: Netherlands, UK, USA, Luxembourg, Germany, Czech Republic, Greece, Israel, Portugal, Switzerland, Colombia
Operating since: 2018
Stages: Seed,Pre-Series A,Series A
Investment Focus: SaaS, Marketplaces, AI, ML, Data Analytics, FinTech, Payments, BioTech, Drug Development, Data Infrastructure, Digital Media, Content
Number of investments: 21
Number of exits: 6
Check size: $50k – $100k
Notable investments: Bold
Founders/Key People: Elizabeth Kleinveld, Ivo Weevers
Website: https://greatstuffventures.com
INKEF
Inner INKEF Capital, based on the information from their official website and additional sources, operates with a distinct philosophy prioritizing long-term value creation over quick exits. The firm emphasizes choosing patience, people, dialogue, and performance as its core values. INKEF Capital was co-founded by ABP, the Dutch civil service pension fund, and the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS), with a mission to invest in the knowledge economy of the future (INKEF stands for “Investing in the Knowledge Economy of the Future”). It aims at providing not just financial backing but also active mentoring to startups.
Headquarters: Netherlands
Investment Geography: Netherlands, United States, Germany, Finland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark.
Operating since: 2010
Investment Focus: Health Care (BioTech, Medical Devices, Therapeutics, Diagnostics, Digital Health), Tech (Enterprise Software, Digital Media, FinTech, HRTech, TravelTech, Health, Fitness, Cyber Security, CRE, Marketplaces).
Stages: Seed, Series A.
Number of investments: 79
Number of exits: 18
Check size: €500k – €15m
Notable investments: Remote, GitLab
Founders/Key People: Reitze Douma
Website: https://www.inkef.com/
OTB Ventures
OTB Ventures is a leading European venture capital firm with a focus on DeepTech. Established in 2017 and based in Netherlands and Poland, OTB Ventures invests in early growth, real tech startups in the Central and Eastern European region. The firm specializes in late Seed, Series A, and Series B funding stages. It targets startups that develop unique technologies in four primary verticals: SpaceTech, AI & Automation, FinTech, and Cybersecurity. OTB Ventures aims to support tech entrepreneurs with global ambitions, particularly those creating solutions with unique intellectual property and value propositions.
Headquarters: Netherlands and Poland (Amsterdam and Warsaw Masovian Voivodeship respectively)
Investment Geography: Central Eastern European (CEE) Regions, including Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Baltic states
Operating since: 2017
Investment Focus: Cyber Security, Big Data, AI, Data Analytics, FinTech, IoT, Robotics, Cloud, Enterprise Software, SpaceTech, MarTech, Telcom
Stages: Late Seed, Series A, Series B
Number of investments: 34
Number of exits: 2
Check size: $100k – $10m
Notable investments: ICEYE, Kelvin., Cosmose
Founders/Key People: Adam Niewinski, Marcin Hejka
Website: https://otb.vc/
Peak Capital
Peak Capital is a European venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments, particularly in SaaS, marketplace, and platform companies. The firm, with offices in Stockholm, Berlin, and Amsterdam, focuses primarily on the Nordics, DACH, and Benelux regions. They prefer to lead investment rounds and are known for their hands-on approach with portfolio companies.
Headquarters: Netherlands (Amsterdam)
Investment Geography: Nordic Europe, DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), and Benelux regions
Operating since: 2007
Investment Focus: SaaS, Marketplace & Platform (B2B/Enterprise, Consumer, B2B Software)
Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Number of investments: 80
Number of exits: 15
Check size: $260k – $4.2m
Notable investments: Catawiki, StuDocu, Creative Fabrica
Founders/Key People: Johan van Mil, Heleen Dura – van Oord
Website: https://peak.capital/
ScaleX Ventures
ScaleX Ventures is a venture capital firm based in the Netherlands, established in 2017. The firm invests in late seed and Series A stages across European tech companies, particularly in sectors like SaaS, Deep Tech & Hard Science, Developer Tools, AI & ML, and Enterprise. They emphasize supporting exceptional founders from unexpected places, aiding their global success journey. ScaleX Ventures is known for its hands-on approach, assisting founders with key priorities like recruiting top talent, securing new investors, and customer introductions. Their team comprises experienced founders and operators, which allows them to bring valuable insights and expertise to the companies they back. ScaleX also has a unique feature of sharing part of the overall fund profit, ensuring mutual success within their investment portfolio.
Headquarters: Netherlands (Amsterdam)
Investment Geography: Europe
Operating since: 2017
Investment Focus: Enterprise Software, AI, Data Analytics, CyberSecurity, Cloud Infrastructure, HealthTech
Stages: Seed, Series A
Number of investments: 26
Number of exits: 7
Check size: $200k – $2m
Notable investments: Upstash, Tundra, Coqui
Founders/Key People: Dilek Dayinlarli, Alper Mat
Website: http://www.scalexventures.com/
SET Ventures
SET Ventures is a leading venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, focusing on advancing a carbon-free energy system since 2007. Their mission involves supporting innovators with capital, community, and insights, targeting Europe’s innovative energy entrepreneurs seeking Series A funding. They invest in fast-growing companies that build digital technologies with proven market traction. Their core beliefs emphasize the necessity for new business models and applications, awareness of carbon footprint driving behavior change, the availability of technology for carbon-free transitions, and the significant role of digital technology companies in creating value within the energy sector.
Headquarters: Netherlands (Amsterdam)
Investment Geography: Europe
Operating since: 2007
Investment Focus: Smart Energy System Solutions (Intelligent Software/Services, Hardware, Energy Systems, Distribution & Storage, Energy Generation, Energy Use, Energy Efficiency, EnergyTech)
Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
Number of investments: 63
Number of exits: 15
Check size: $500k – $15m
Notable investments: Instagrid, General Fushion, Sensorfact
Founders/Key People: Wouter Jonk, Rene Savelsberg
Website: http://www.setventures.com/
Conclusion
With insights into the Netherlands’ top VC firms at your fingertips, you’re better equipped to propel your startup forward. Each firm offers unique advantages, from deep industry connections to expert mentorship. Now’s the time to refine your approach, tailor your pitch, and engage with a VC that aligns perfectly with your startup’s path. Forge ahead with confidence and readiness to tap into the wealth of opportunities Dutch venture capital offers. Your next strategic move could lead to remarkable growth and success.
