Funding

We invest from the start. We are here to help Delft and Rotterdam graduates putting their brightest ideas into practice to build a successful company. We have raised 56 million and made 27 investments since April 2021 and are keeping up the fast pace we took off with.

We look for inspiring founders to partner up with at the Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A stage.

Pre-seed

Before funds are available for most founders. If you are ready to test your idea and/or to build your product, we help you make your dream a reality. We are early and keep it simple. We provide you with ASAP funding up to €75k. Exclusively available for young founders, until five years after graduation from TU Delft, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam and Erasmus MC.

Find out more about ASAP ⭢

Apply now

Seed & series A

The Seed & Series A fund is for those building the foundation of their company with a strong and ardent team. You are working towards product-market fit, establishing your customer base and growing marketing activity, showing consistent revenue flow. Ticket sizes are typically between €200K - €2M, available for founders graduated in Delft or Rotterdam of all ages.

Apply now
2

Getting
to know
each other

3

Pitch to our
Investment
Committee

4

Get
funded

5

Pick
your mentor

Do you want to apply for funding? Get in touch with us!
Apply now!Learn more

Our backers

We have a great team and an even greater network. Our backers share our relentless enthusiasm of making Delft and Rotterdam the largest entrepreneurial community arising from their universities’ brightest minded graduates. This dream would not have been possible without them. They show us that it can be done, as well as how it’s done.

Do you want to support the Graduate Entrepreneur Fund as well? Get in touch with the Fund.

Alexander Collot d'Escury
CEO Bruynzeel Storage Systems
Alexander Collot d'Escury
CEO Bruynzeel Storage Systems

Alexander Ribbink
General Partner at Keen Venture Partners
Alexander Ribbink
General Partner at Keen Venture Partners

1. Niet geschoten is altijd mis. 2. No gain without pain.

Arco van Nieuwland
Partner at CNBB Equity Partners
Arco van Nieuwland
Partner at CNBB Equity Partners

Passion and curiosity is fuel for growth.

Arend van de Stadt
Co-founder SmartEagle
Arend van de Stadt
Co-founder SmartEagle

Plan for success

Benno van Dongen
Senior Partner at Roland Berger
Benno van Dongen
Senior Partner at Roland Berger

Grow - your team! Stretch - no boundaries! Act - clients first!

Bob de Kuyper
Former CEO Koninklijke de Kuyper
Bob de Kuyper
Former CEO Koninklijke de Kuyper

Believe in yourself but surround yourself with people to compensate for your weaknesses.

Coen van Oostrom
Founder Edge
Coen van Oostrom
Founder Edge

You have to be the biggest optimist that life can be because you have to wake up every morning and say yes I can do this! But you also have to wake up every night and be scared shitless of what can go wrong.

Daan van Helsdingen
Partner at Flow Real Estate
Daan van Helsdingen
Partner at Flow Real Estate

Diederik van Styrum
Co-founder Xindao
Diederik van Styrum
Co-founder Xindao

'Ik heb het nog nooit gedaan dus ik denk dat ik het wel kan' - Pippi Langkous

Frans Haafkens
Founder i4hi
Frans Haafkens
Founder i4hi

It begins with passion for an idea and guts. If you possess those you go to Graduate Entrepreneur!

Frans Kramer
Owner Vezet
Frans Kramer
Owner Vezet

Frans van Houten
CEO Philips
Frans van Houten
CEO Philips

1. Get the right people on your team 2. It's all about learning fast. Make a plan, get started, learn and adapt. 3. Customers, customers, customers!

Gert Jan van der Hoeven
Managing Partner at H2 Equity Partners
Gert Jan van der Hoeven
Managing Partner at H2 Equity Partners

Gijs Dullaert
Non-executie, former CEO
Gijs Dullaert
Non-executie, former CEO

Dare to scale-up internationally and go abroad yourself to make it happen. Take really, really good care of your customers and employees.

Gijs van Lookeren Campagne
Founder Easy2Pay
Gijs van Lookeren Campagne
Founder Easy2Pay

Gijs was also the co-founder of Greenwheels.

Hadewych Cels
Partner Karmijn Kapitaal
Hadewych Cels
Partner Karmijn Kapitaal

A business plan will, of course, never turn out the way you predicted it, but it definitely helps you and your team to make one, if only to make sure you are all aligned.

Han de Groot
Founder Metrixlab
Han de Groot
Founder Metrixlab

If you can’t explain your idea clearly, keep quiet, and work on it until you can!

Jaap Kerstjens
Partner Health Venture Partners
Jaap Kerstjens
Partner Health Venture Partners

In medtech and life science: do not trust that a great product sells itself, focus on getting to scale early on

Jan Willem Eleveld
CEO and Founder Norman Health
Jan Willem Eleveld
CEO and Founder Norman Health

Set your self ambitious growth targets and build an infrastructure that can support such (international) growth. Focus, focus focus

Jan Willem Gerritsen
Co-founder Metrixlab
Jan Willem Gerritsen
Co-founder Metrixlab

Think carefully about your business model from day one so it remains good when you grow.

Joop Heijenrath
Impact Investor
Joop Heijenrath
Impact Investor

Joost Romeijn
Founder Sunweb
Joost Romeijn
Founder Sunweb

Make sure that in your business plan your product is not only well defined, but also think of how to sell it. Who is my client and how will I reach that client?

Machtelt Groothuis
Co-founder Rubio Impact Ventures
Machtelt Groothuis
Co-founder Rubio Impact Ventures

Surround yourself with diverse people, be flexible to adapt your plans and just go for it!

Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen
Chairman Executive Board
Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen
Chairman Executive Board

Think big, start small, act fast.

Matthijs Havinga
CEO Pink Elephant
Matthijs Havinga
CEO Pink Elephant

Be true to yourselves and others - Realize your commitments - Be daring and imaginative - Create opportunities for everybody.

Menno Antal
Non Executive Director Action & Egeria
Menno Antal
Non Executive Director Action & Egeria

Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid to miss the opportunity.

Merlin de Graaf
Partner at Bloom
Merlin de Graaf
Partner at Bloom

Having the right team in place is the key to success!

Michiel Muller
Co-founder Picnic
Michiel Muller
Co-founder Picnic

Start today, momentum and energy is everything!

Michiel Wentges
CDO at Xcentric Hotels
Michiel Wentges
CDO at Xcentric Hotels

Just do it, we're there to help!

Michiel Westermann
MedTech marketing & strategy
Michiel Westermann
MedTech marketing & strategy

Make sure you are well informed, but make your own choices

Mick Mackaay
Principal HenQ Capital Partners
Mick Mackaay
Principal HenQ Capital Partners

Olaf Lawerman
Founder Company Webcast
Olaf Lawerman
Founder Company Webcast

1. Get your first customer, quick! 2. Think big and be ready to scale 3. Create a scalable business model

Peter Goedvolk
Founder First Dutch
Peter Goedvolk
Founder First Dutch

A very important development in Metropool Rotterdam. There is already a very good eco system but the missing link was cooperation!

Peter Stas
Co-founder Frederique Constant and Corsano Health
Peter Stas
Co-founder Frederique Constant and Corsano Health

Pieter van Doorne
Investor
Pieter van Doorne
Investor

The client will notice nothing of your vision but will notice your execution!

Raymond Cloosterman
Founder Rituals
Raymond Cloosterman
Founder Rituals

“If you can dream it you can do it” – W. Disney

Robert-Jan van Ogtrop
Founder Circle Economy
Robert-Jan van Ogtrop
Founder Circle Economy

Ruben Verkuijl
Founder Interim Valley
Ruben Verkuijl
Founder Interim Valley

Let your internal vision, motivation and ambitions drive you. Be persistent, focused and don't let external circumstances hinder!

Sandro van Hellenberg Hubar
Co-founder Xindao
Sandro van Hellenberg Hubar
Co-founder Xindao

Start your business for the right reason (not money or ego) and show great co-founders leadership interaction. I love straightforward, professional, passionate and purpose-driven people, devoted to some crusade, as real team-players.

Saskia van Walsum
Executive Coach, Informal Investor, Supervisory Board SPAR Holding
Saskia van Walsum
Executive Coach, Informal Investor, Supervisory Board SPAR Holding

Don't let anybody kill your dream.

Sheila Struyck
Venture Partner NBI Investors
Sheila Struyck
Venture Partner NBI Investors

Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Tijo Collot d'Escury
Managing Partner Roland Berger
Tijo Collot d'Escury
Managing Partner Roland Berger

Rely on yourself and keep going!

Willem Vermeulen
CEO De Vermeulen Groep
Willem Vermeulen
CEO De Vermeulen Groep

See all Backers
"We want our future generation to be leaders, not just followers. And I believe everybody can be a leader by their example and how they conduct and comport themselves. Let’s teach these future leaders examples of the accomplished leaders in our network."
Frank Slootman
Chairman and CEO of Snowflake
“Did I make a lot of mistakes as an entrepreneur? You bet I did! It’s one big learning process. I think it’s very rewarding to shield fresh start ups from making the same mistakes and guide them to make the right decisions along the way."
Michiel Muller
Co-founder Picnic
"I am convinced that diverse teams have superpowers! Something I have experienced first hand. There is so much diverse talent in the international student community in Delft and Rotterdam - I can’t wait to hear the pitches and meet the next generation world changing entrepreneurs!"
Machtelt Groothuis
Founder Rubio Impact Ventures
“You are who you know, as the saying goes. But recent graduates at Delft and Rotterdam don’t have a network in the business community. As alumni we built our networks over our entire careers and are willing to share it with every student we support. Maybe that’s even worth more than the money…”
Sandro van Hellenberg Hubar
Co-founder Xindao
"Simply a good idea or a clever technical innovation gets you nowhere. You need some commercial instinct and business skills as well. That’s why I really believe in students from Delft and Rotterdam teaming up together. I expect to see some matches made in heaven!"
Hans van Ierland
Founder HPE Growth
'"In the US over fifty percent of the start-ups grow into successful business, while we are stuck below twenty percent at present. This has to change. We have to step up our game and work together to create a far more productive entrepreneurial environment."
Menno Antal
Non Executive Director Action & Egeria

Graduate Entrepreneur helps startups along the entire way. To get startups started and have an impact on our world, capital is needed. As a startup you can apply for two Graduate Entrepreneur funds. Are you an early stage startup in the need for up to €75k? Take a closer look at Graduate Entrepreneur's Pre-Seed Capital. Already entering the seed stage of your startup and looking for funding from €200k to €2M? Check out our Seed Capital.

capital


ASAP up to €75k

We invest tickets up to €75k in the form of an ASAP (Agreement of Subscription against Advance Payment), which is basically a pre-payment on equity. This means no repayment, no interest and no debt on your balance sheet. We are more than happy to partner up with other investors for co-investments.
See this document for more information.

Coaching

Connect with your coach

In addition to receiving capital, you will be matched to one of the experienced alumni in our network who will be your mentor during your Graduate Entrepreneur journey. We will match you based on your industry, solution and overall challenges. Your mentor is someone who has been in your shoes before, and who knows the steps and challenges that come with entrepreneurship.  Startups funded by the Graduate Entrepreneur Funds can make unlimited use of our coaching network for ad-hoc challenges. 

Community

Be part of a community

We believe combining the competencies of Rotterdam and Delft will lead to an unprecedented startup ecosystem. You will join a continuously expanding community of both young and experienced, like-minded entrepreneurs, our knowledgeable partners, and even VCs for possible follow-up funding rounds. Being part of our community also means that you will get invited to all of our events. Events focused on getting you in touch with all aspects of entrepreneurship.

We offer you

Who can apply

You are an early stage startup 
that wants to develop a prototype, validate your idea 
or has gained some initial traction.  

At least one of your founding members is a student, recent graduate 
(within 5 years) or a staff member at Erasmus University Rotterdam, TU Delft or Erasmus MC.

You can be situated anywhere in the Netherlands, as long as you and/or your co-founder study or has studied in Rotterdam or Delft.

Continuous innovation is essential everywhere and our extensive network of coaches can support in any industry.

You are in need of funding between €10k and €75k. If you are looking for more however, we are willing to co-invest.

capital


€200k up to €2M

In our Seed Fund we do equity investments with tickets up to €2M. We are more than happy to partner up with other investors for co-investments.

Coaching

Connect with your coach

In addition to receiving capital, you will be matched to one of the experienced alumni in our network who will be your mentor during your Graduate Entrepreneur journey. We will match you based on your industry, solution and overall challenges. Your mentor is someone who has been in your shoes before, and who knows the steps and challenges that come with entrepreneurship.  Startups funded by the Graduate Entrepreneur Funds can make unlimited use of our coaching network for ad-hoc challenges. Furthermore you will be working closely with our Fund Management team, consisting of experienced venture capital investors.

Community

Be part of a community

We believe combining the competencies of Rotterdam and Delft will lead to an unprecedented startup ecosystem. You will join a continuously expanding community of both young and experienced, like-minded entrepreneurs, our knowledgeable partners, and even VCs for possible follow-up funding rounds. Being part of our community also means that you will get invited to all of our events. Events focused on getting you in touch with all aspects of entrepreneurship.

We offer you

Who can apply

You are a seed stage startup. You have a strong combination of product, market and team.

At least one of your founding members is a student, alumnus/alumna or a staff member at Erasmus University Rotterdam, TU Delft or Erasmus MC.

You can be situated anywhere in the Netherlands, as long as you and/or your co-founder study or has studied in Rotterdam or Delft.

Our Seed Fund is focused on deep-tech startups. Due to our extensive network of coaches, Graduate Entrepreneur can support you in this industry.

You are in need of funding between €200k and €2M. If you are looking for more however, we are happy to co-invest.

2

Getting
to know
each other

3

Pitch to our
Investment
Committee

4

Get
funded

5

Pick
your mentor


Do you want to apply for funding? Get in touch with us!
Apply now!

Our portfolio

The Graduate Entrepreneur Funds have taken off and are ready to fund startups. Are you our next investment? The portfolio
is expanding continuously so come back and see what’s happening.

Eyk

Eyk is the new data platform for performance marketers. They fill te gap between traditional data integration and dashboarding tools. Eyk also brings optimal balance between quick results, customisation and scalability.

Authic Labs

Authic Labs enables brands to create unique marketing experiences using NFTs. They offer a no-code platform for companies from various industries (like art, fashion, gaming or sports) to create and sell digital collectibles on their own website.

Stippl

The mission of Stippl is to disruptively change the way people plan their travel adventures. Stippl integrates all travel steps, from finding transport to discovering accommodations. All of it, by offering a beautiful, user friendly and easy shareable experience to their users.

Drop.in

Drop.in offers hotels to have extra virtual staff members on demand that enable even the smallest hotels to create an autonomous guest journey. Their app is completely web based, branded in the style of the hotel and creates a seamless experience that takes pressure off staff members and services the guests.

XOsight

The Delft-based startup XOsight is able to automate inventory counting in large logistics warehouses! XOsight automates this process by equipping mobile platforms, such as forklift trucks or drones with their embedded camera technology that enables them to intelligently understand their surroundings through localizing themselves in warehouses.

Channext

Founded in 2019, Channext counts over 30 FTE and is located in Utrecht. Channext’s software platform helps vendors and their business partners easily publish and track marketing content. Channext offers a marketplace of over 1,000 business partners.

Satelleat

The Amsterdam-based startup Satelleat allows users to compare food delivery services in order to have the best possible ordering experience while also helping delivery services to reduce their customer acquisition costs.

Magneto

Magneto is developing magneto caloric material for heat pumps that are an environmental friendly solution for heating and cooling contributing to the renewable energy transition.

Crescent Med

Crescent-Med is advancing medical education with their dual camera offering a first-person view for surgical procedures.

GetEase

GetEase makes it possible for hairdresser, manicures, masseuses or personal trainers to now come to your doorstep with just a single click, within a matter of days or even hours.

KeyWI

KeyWI developed an AI-powered digital marketing assistant for small and medium sized businesses globally. With KeyWI's Search Engine Optimization tool, any business can start creating content directly with bite sized weekly personalized tasks and measure its performance.

Fusion Engineering

Developer of drone control systems designed to move drone technology forward by applying novel flight control to ensure safety and reliability. The company has built innovative flight control algorithms and software platforms to ensure accurate positioning, disturbance rejection, and fault-tolerance, enabling users to get a powerful flight controller platform to make drone flying reliable.

Savvy

With Savvy’s water-soluble tabs, it is now possible to easily make your cleaning products and hand soap instantly at home, in your own reusable bottle!

Workwize

Workwize is a procurement platform for home office supplies. Its platform empowers employees with the choice of customization, offers full transparency for the employer, and helps suppliers create new revenue streams effortlessly.

Gymstory

Gymstory has developed a hardware sensor that automatically measures the amount weight and the number of repetitions on gym machines during training sessions, which helps users track their progress and reach their goals easier.

Auto-Pilot

Auto-Pilot offers a SaaS automation platform specialized in working with all kinds of text files such as emails and PDFs, helping companies create Natural Language Processing models to structure large amounts of data.

Loop

Loop has created the Living Cocoon, a coffin made of mycelium, a type of fungus that is able to ‘compost’ the body efficiently, remove toxic substances and produce richer conditions in which to grow (new) trees and plants.

Orderli

We are reinventing table-side ordering by allowing guests to order with their own phone.

Rapidemic

Rapidemic is developing a point-of-care test able to accurately diagnose infectious diseases on the spot.

Quantware

Quantware accelerates the advent of the quantum computer. The company designs, develops and fabricates hardware to enable quantum computing.

Workwize

Workwize is a procurement platform for home office supplies. Its platform empowers employees with the choice of customization, offers full transparency for the employer, and helps suppliers create new revenue streams effortlessly.

ClickDrive

Clickdrive is a data-driven marketplace platform for driving lessons, where students can compare, choose, and book their instructor(s) in three clicks in a trusted, safe, and transparent environment.

Focus

Focus is an AI company that predicts if, and when, new technologies will disrupt existing markets. With Focus’ AI models, companies get crucial insight into the future technological landscape, enabling them to make better investment decisions.

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