Graduate Ventures Launches Second Seed Fund of €125 Million

Graduate Ventures, the Netherlands’ largest nationwide university-affiliated venture fund, led by Auke van den Hout, and the team, has launched its second seed fund of €125 million, with €100 million already committed. Graduate Ventures now partners with eight universities and three university medical centres, giving it nationwide coverage to provide startups with capital and hands-on support from its network of investors, successful entrepreneurs and alumni of its partner universities. The second fund is backed by a large group of leading entrepreneurs, including Frank Slootman (Snowflake), Michiel Muller (Picnic), Jonas Ruyter (DataSnipper) and Peter Wennink (ASML). Invest-NL and Oost NL are also participating.

Graduate Ventures operates both a seed fund and a pre-seed fund, investing in startups across artificial intelligence, deep tech, healthcare, and climate. The firm identifies these sectors as key to strengthening the Netherlands’ long-term competitiveness and economic growth.

“It is great to see such a large group of successful entrepreneurs and alumni in the Netherlands coming together through the Graduate Ventures platform to help the next generation of entrepreneurs with venture capital and hands-on support from their networks,” says Frans van Houten, co-founder and chairman of Graduate Ventures. “This fully aligns with Peter Wennink’s message, former CEO of ASML and author of the report The Road to Future Prosperity.”

A Venture-Building Approach Since 2021.

Founded in 2021 by alumni of Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam, Graduate Ventures has invested in more than 90 tech startups. Its network includes over 200 entrepreneurial alumni who support founders with expertise, connections, and market access.

The firm also works with universities across the Netherlands to support academic innovation. After establishing a presence in the Rotterdam-Delft region, universities in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Wageningen, Twente, and Leiden have joined the platform.

“Innovation often emerges from ecosystems surrounding academic centres. Graduate Ventures works closely with universities and medical centres in Rotterdam, Delft, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Wageningen, Twente and Leiden,” says Auke van den Hout, managing partner at Graduate Ventures. “But capital alone is not enough. Founders also need support from people who have built companies themselves, who can think alongside them and open doors. That is why we connect startup founders with our extensive network from day one. The fact that we have already raised €100 million for our second fund in just ten months demonstrates the level of support for this approach – and the conviction that the Netherlands needs to build and retain more successful startups.”

QuantWare illustrates the impact of Graduate Ventures’ approach. Graduate Ventures invested in the Delft-based quantum technology company in 2021 at an early stage. Earlier this year, QuantWare raised €152 million in a Series B round.

Universities are also embracing Graduate Ventures’ approach. “Strong research is often the foundation for innovation-driven entrepreneurship, and therefore for tomorrow’s economy. Through Graduate Ventures, our entrepreneurial students and researchers gain access to capital and a nationwide alumni network. At the same time, we give our alumni the opportunity to contribute to the next generation of entrepreneurs,” says Luc Sels, President of the Executive Board of Leiden University.

Peter Wennink, former CEO of ASML, also shows his support: “Startups and scaleups are essential to the future of a prosperous Netherlands. Graduate Ventures meets the need for venture capital and support to help these startups and scaleups succeed.”

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