Graduate Connect 2026: founders, donors and the Graduate community together

On 12 May 2026, around two hundred founders, donors, LPs, supporters and university stakeholders gathered at Move Amsterdam for Graduate Connect, Graduate Ventures' largest annual networking event. An afternoon of pitches, conversation and direct support for our portfolio founders.

Graduate Connect exists for three reasons: to strengthen relationships with donors, LPs and the support network, to create new connections for founders, and to show the community how the portfolio is doing. The centerpiece of the afternoon is the Graduate Connect Game, where founders pitch a challenge they're facing and ask the room for help on the spot, whether that's an introduction, expertise or something else entirely.

Speakers and insights

Auke van den Hout opened the afternoon, followed by a fireside chat with Michiel Muller, co-founder of Fastned, Greenchoice and Picnic, who shared lessons from building multiple companies. Matthijs from portfolio company QuantWare took the stage for an intermission, giving the room a look at how the company has grown. Frans van Houten closed out the programme alongside Auke, before the afternoon moved into drinks and bites.

On stage

Seven portfolio companies pitched their asks to the network during the Graduate Connect Game: Decipher, XS Innovations, Hydryx, Gravity Garden, Carapace and Farmless. Attendees responded in real time, raising a paddle for the founders they could help, which turned into concrete introductions and follow-ups after the event.

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