Graduate Ventures, a Dutch venture capital platform established by alumni from Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam, has announced the launch of its second seed fund valued at €125 million (approximately $135 million). The fund has already secured €100 million in commitments from a group of prominent investors and institutions.
Backing Innovation Across Key Sectors
The newly established fund will focus on investing in early-stage Dutch technology startups operating in artificial intelligence, deep technology, healthcare, and climate sectors. Graduate Ventures plans to provide more than capital to its portfolio companies, offering hands-on support through its extensive network of over 200 entrepreneurial alumni and established partnerships with eight universities and three medical centres across the Netherlands.
The backing of €125 million represents a significant commitment to strengthening the Dutch startup ecosystem at the seed stage, where access to adequate funding remains a persistent challenge for emerging companies.
Strong Industry Support
The fund has attracted backing from several notable figures in European technology and business. Among the committed investors are Frank Slootman, Michiel Muller, Jonas Ruyter, and Peter Wennink, the former chief executive officer of semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML. Government-backed institutions Invest-NL and regional development agency Oost NL have also pledged support to the initiative.
Commenting on the fund’s launch, Peter Wennink stated: “Startups and scale-ups are essential to the future of a prosperous Netherlands. Graduate Ventures meets the need for venture capital and support to help these startups and scale-ups succeed.”
Building on Earlier Success
This represents Graduate Ventures’ second major fund since the platform’s founding in 2021. The venture capital platform was established specifically to bridge the gap between university research and commercial application, leveraging the entrepreneurial talent emerging from leading Dutch educational institutions.
The company’s model centres on providing structured investment alongside mentorship and network access, recognizing that early-stage companies require strategic guidance alongside financial resources. The involvement of both private investors and public institutions reflects a collaborative approach to supporting innovation at the national level.
European Context
Graduate Ventures’ expansion reflects broader trends in European venture capital, where seed-stage funding has become increasingly concentrated among specialized platforms and regional funds. While major venture capital centres in the United States and parts of Western Europe continue to attract disproportionate investment flows, emerging hubs across the continent are developing localized ecosystems designed to support startups from inception through to scale-up stages.
The Dutch venture capital market has seen growing investment in recent years, particularly in technology-driven sectors. Graduate Ventures’ positioning within this landscape demonstrates how university-aligned venture platforms are attempting to maximize the commercial potential of academic research while maintaining deep roots within their regional innovation communities.