Organization · Venture Capital
Rockstart
Rockstart is a Netherlands-based early-stage investor that empowers purpose-driven founders in AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Technologies. They provide access to capital, market, and expertise through accelerator programs and a strong network.
Overview
What Rockstart does
What Rockstart is
Rockstart is a Netherlands-based early-stage investor that empowers purpose-driven founders in AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Technologies. They provide access to capital, market, and expertise through accelerator programs and a strong network.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and event host and publisher 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
- Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2011
- Approximate age
- About 15 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Event host · Publisher
- Last reviewed
- March 16, 2026
Official channels
Find Rockstart elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Rockstart as a funder
Investment thesis
Early-stage investor empowering purpose-driven founders across Energy, AgriFood, and Emerging Technologies. Accelerator-backed model with domain-focused funds.
Focus narrative
Domain-focused: Energy, AgriFood, Emerging Tech. Pre-seed to Series B with follow-on up to 2M EUR per company. Co-invests with lead investors. Impact-driven.
Value beyond capital
Mentorship-driven support. International mentor network. Domain expertise in energy and agrifood.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $110,000–$2,000,000
- Sweet spot
- $850,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Series A · Series B
- Sectors
- Artificial IntelligenceClimate & SustainabilityDigital HealthFood & AgricultureIndustrial & ManufacturingInternet of Things
- Regions
- EuropeThe Netherlands
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Investments in the last 12 months
- 4
- Last recorded investment
- July 1, 2025
Portfolio context
262 companies over 13 years. Recent: RTDT ($4M seed, Jul 2025). Co-investors: Balderton, EQT, Accel, SET Ventures. 20x+ returns on early investments.
Capability profile
Rockstart as a program host
Program thesis
Empowers purpose-driven founders to drive positive change across Energy, AgriFood, and Emerging Technologies through domain-focused, mentor-driven acceleration and early-stage investment from pre-seed to Series B.
Terms and economics
- Indicative investment
- $110,000
- Indicative equity
- 6%
- Stipend
- $35,000
Format and cadence
- Typical duration
- 26 weeks
- Typical cohort
- 10 companies
- Cohorts per year
- 2
- Format
- Hybrid
Availability
- Application state
- Accepting
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Series A · Series B
- Regions
- Europe · Global · Nl
Alumni and track record
- Last recorded cohort
- July 1, 2025
Capability profile
Rockstart as an event host
Event focus
Rockstart invests in early-stage startups across three primary domains: AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Tech. The organization operates accelerator programs and manages funds that support startups in these sectors.
Format narrative
Rockstart offers several programs, including a 90-day acceleration program called Tech for Good, aimed at startups that seek to impact society positively, and the School of Investors, which trains new angel investors through theoretical and practical sessions.
Participant value
Rockstart connects startups with mentors and investors, providing them with the resources and support needed to grow and succeed in their respective sectors.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- summit and workshop
- Recurrence
- annual
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Sectors
- AgTechClean Energy
- Regions
- Latin AmericaNorth America
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Key team members include Rune Theill (CEO & Co-founder), Martin Dahl Carstensen (Finance Director), Mark Durno (Managing Partner, AgriFood), and Max ter Horst (Managing Partner, Energy).
Past editions
Rockstart has invested in hundreds of companies since its inception, including notable portfolio companies such as Superbeauty, We Book You, Weseed, Neu, Vecindario, HoyTrabajas, Cluvi, Rocketfy, Saludtools, and WeKall.
Capability profile
Rockstart as a publisher
Editorial focus
Rockstart is an accelerator and investment firm that invests in early-stage startups across AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Tech. The organization aims to support scalable innovations that address global challenges, particularly in sustainability and climate change, providing funding and mentorship from inception through to Series B.
Audience value
Rockstart provides funding, mentorship, and educational programs to empower founders in creating impactful solutions that contribute to sustainability and address global challenges.
Format and cadence
- Content formats
- blog
- Primary platform
- Website
- Cadence
- regular updates
Availability
- Guest pitch state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and focus
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Sectors
- AgTechClean Energy
Flagship work and coverage
Flagship properties
Rockstart operates several programs including the AgriFood Accelerator, Energy Accelerator, Emerging Tech Accelerator, and the School of Investors. They also maintain a blog for updates on industry trends and portfolio news.
Notable coverage
Rockstart has invested in notable companies such as Ora Biotics, Doqcheck, Shelfion, Lifebloom, and Currentt, showcasing their commitment to innovative solutions in various sectors.
Common questions
What to know about Rockstart
Upseed classifies Rockstart under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, event host, and publisher 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 16, 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.