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During Crossroads, the annual event at Dotslash Utrecht, ROM Utrecht Region, Rabobank and BORON today launch the Dotslash Utrecht Fund. The new fund makes €5 million available for startups and scale-ups from the Dotslash community, companies looking to establish themselves at Dotslash, and ventures emerging from UtrechtInc.
The fund focuses on startups and scale-ups in health, sustainability and digitalization that are ready for their next phase of growth. It addresses a familiar challenge for young companies: just when initial traction has been achieved and further growth becomes possible, suitable capital is often difficult to access.
This challenge extends beyond Utrecht alone. The Wennink report on the future earning capacity of the Netherlands points to the importance of innovation, productivity and strong ecosystems. With the Dotslash Utrecht Fund, the initiators aim to contribute to an environment in which young companies can scale from Utrecht.
Room to grow
Dotslash brings together startups, scale-ups, investors, corporates, knowledge partners and public organisations. The campus offers young companies workspace, community, events, knowledge and access to a broad network. With the Dotslash Utrecht Fund, a direct route to growth capital is now added to this offering.
Jelle Drijver, Dotslash Utrecht: “At Dotslash, we see every day how much ambition there is within the community. Entrepreneurs have strong teams, clear ideas and the drive to keep building. With the Dotslash Utrecht Fund, we are adding something that is often needed at this stage: access to capital that is close to the entrepreneurs and connected to the network in which they are growing.”
From capital to growth
ROM Utrecht Region will manage the fund. The fund invests amounts between €150,000 and €500,000 through equity participations or convertible loans. ROM assesses and supports the investments, bringing investment expertise, regional experience and access to private investors.
Edgard Creemers, ROM Utrecht Region: “With the Dotslash Utrecht Fund, we are investing in companies in health, sustainability and digitalization that are ready for the next step. These are often companies that want to strengthen their market position or finance further growth. By working together with private investors where possible, we increase the leverage around these companies.”
Investing in innovation from Utrecht
BORON, ROM Utrecht Region and Rabobank are the initiators of the fund. By connecting capital to the Dotslash community and the wider Utrecht startup and scale-up network, the parties aim to contribute to new business activity, employment and innovation from the region.
Hans van de Guchte, Rabobank: “The challenge outlined in the Wennink report also affects our region. Innovation emerges in places where entrepreneurs, investors and partners know how to find each other. With this fund, we want to give startups and scale-ups better access to growth capital, so that more companies can scale from Utrecht.”
Practical information
• Target group: startups and scale-ups from the Dotslash community and companies looking to establish themselves at Dotslash. UtrechtInc graduates are also eligible.
• Focus: health, sustainability and digitalization.
• Fund size: €5 million.
• Ticket size: €150,000 to €500,000.
• Instruments: equity participations and convertible loans.
• More information and pitch submission: Dotslash Utrecht Fund
Contact
For more information, please contact:
ROM Utrecht Region
Joost van Leur
+31 6 5159 0778
joost@romutrechtregion.nl
