Organization · Grant Maker
Graduate Entrepreneur Fund
Graduate Ventures, formerly known as Graduate Entrepreneur Fund, is a Netherlands-based organization that supports early-stage entrepreneurs from TU Delft and Erasmus University. It focuses on deep tech, med tech, climate tech, and AI software, providing funding and mentorship.
Overview
What Graduate Entrepreneur Fund does
What Graduate Entrepreneur Fund is
Graduate Ventures, formerly known as Graduate Entrepreneur Fund, is a Netherlands-based organization that supports early-stage entrepreneurs from TU Delft and Erasmus University. It focuses on deep tech, med tech, climate tech, and AI software, providing funding and mentorship.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and grantor and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Grant Maker
- Founded
- Founded in 2021
- Approximate age
- About 5 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Grantor · Community
- Last reviewed
- March 27, 2026
Official channels
Find Graduate Entrepreneur Fund elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Graduate Entrepreneur Fund as a funder
Investment thesis
Graduate Ventures focuses on empowering early-stage entrepreneurs through capital and mentorship, leveraging university research strengths in deep tech, med tech, climate tech, and AI software.
Focus narrative
Graduate Ventures invests primarily in early-stage companies at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages, providing investments ranging from €75,000 to €2 million. The fund focuses on sectors such as deep tech, med tech, climate tech, and AI software, aiming to strengthen the competitive landscape of the Netherlands and create a collaborative community of entrepreneurs.
Value beyond capital
Graduate Ventures adds value to its portfolio companies by providing access to a vast network of over 200 successful Dutch entrepreneurs who serve as mentors and advisors. Founders benefit from capital, coaching, and a collaborative community that enhances their chances of success in the competitive startup landscape.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $75,000–$2,000,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- EuropeThe Netherlands
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 75
Portfolio context
Graduate Ventures has backed over 75 startups since its inception, including notable companies such as Authic Labs, a no-code platform for NFT marketing; BASH, a social app for event discovery; and Back to Battery, which focuses on recycling lithium-ion batteries. Other portfolio highlights include Bright Bird, a mobile mental health app; Carapace Biopolymers, which reduces plastic use in agriculture; and Eddy Grid, pioneers in sustainable energy solutions.
Capability profile
Graduate Entrepreneur Fund as a grantor
Grant thesis
Graduate Entrepreneur Fund, now known as Graduate Ventures, focuses on empowering early-stage entrepreneurs in the Netherlands by providing capital, knowledge, and a supportive community. The fund emphasizes investments in deep tech, med tech, climate tech, and AI software, leveraging university research strengths.
Focus narrative
Graduate Ventures invests in early-stage companies, specifically at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages. The fund provides investments ranging from €75,000 to €2 million, targeting sectors such as deep tech, med tech, climate tech, and AI software. The organization fosters a collaborative community of entrepreneurs to strengthen the competitive landscape of the Netherlands.
Value and support
Beyond funding, Graduate Ventures provides access to a network of over 200 successful entrepreneurs who offer mentorship and guidance. This support helps founders navigate the challenges of building a startup and enhances their chances of success.
Grant economics
- Grant range
- $75,000–$2,000,000
- Grants per year
- 30
- Dilutive
- Yes
- Nonprofit only
- Yes
Availability
- Application state
- Accepting
- Application cycle
- rolling
Eligibility and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders
- Inclusion focus
- first-time-founder
- Regions
- Europe
Process and recipient context
Application process
The application process involves submitting a proposal that outlines the business idea and its alignment with the fund's focus areas. Founders are encouraged to leverage the extensive network of mentors and alumni for guidance. The fund operates a two-tier funding model, offering pre-seed convertible loans followed by seed investments.
Recipient context
Notable past grantees include Authic Labs, a no-code platform for NFT marketing; BASH, a social app for event discovery; and Back to Battery, which focuses on recycling lithium-ion batteries. Other grantees include Bright Bird, a mental health app, and Carapace Biopolymers, which reduces plastic use in agriculture.
Capability profile
Graduate Entrepreneur Fund as a community
Community overview
Graduate Entrepreneur Fund, also known as Graduate Ventures, is an organization based in the Netherlands that supports early-stage entrepreneurs. It was founded by a group of alumni and professionals who aim to empower the next generation of founders by providing capital, knowledge, and a supportive community. The organization is managed by experienced professionals with expertise in startups and investing.
Community focus
Graduate Entrepreneur Fund invests in early-stage companies, specifically at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages. The fund provides investments ranging from €75,000 to €2 million. The sectors of focus include deep tech, med tech, climate tech, and AI software. The organization aims to foster a collaborative community of entrepreneurs and strengthen the competitive landscape of the Netherlands.
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders
- Benefits
- network-access
- Selection criteria
- application
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- Europe
Community activity
Notable members
Notable companies backed by Graduate Entrepreneur Fund include Authic Labs, BASH, Back to Battery, Bright Bird, Carapace Biopolymers, ClickDrive, Crescent Med, DuckDuckGoose, Eddy Grid, Engaige, and Fiducial.
Common questions
What to know about Graduate Entrepreneur Fund
Upseed classifies Graduate Entrepreneur Fund under the Grant Maker organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, grantor, and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 27, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.