Ignite your early-stage vision, inspiring a healthier world.

Startup Fund Utrecht empowers entrepreneurs with funding and a supportive ecosystem, creating lasting impact for society, the environment, and future generations.

Startups funded in the past

Inspiring a Healthier World
with Pre-Seed Financing.

The Startup Fund Utrecht (SFU) has a long-standing track record of funding early-stage startups. The fund’s success thrives on the collective partnership between Rabobank, Utrecht Holdings (University Medical Center Utrecht/Utrecht University) and UtrechtInc.

Since 2011, the fund has steadily funded startups that positively impact sustainability and society. The fund’s ecosystem enables entrepreneurs to bring products to life that promote healthier lives, building future digital networks, create lasting solutions for climate change, and much more.

Inspiring a Healthier World with Pre-Seed Financing.

SFU seeks to fund and support entrepreneurs with solid business propositions. Entrepreneurs aiming to create sustainable impact and leverage the ecosystem to foster a healthier society, environment, and people are encouraged to apply.

UtrechtInc manages the SFU and is a key facilitator in enabling the success of these entrepreneurs, guiding them through the ecosystem and providing access to resources, networks, and programmes.

Since 2006, SFU has provided funding of over €3.5 million to 88 startups. The fund has previously operated under the name of Rabo Pre-seed Fund.

A fund with a healthier and more accessible world in mind.

The decision to choose the fund was strategic for each entrepreneur.

Hear from four inspiring entrepreneurs about their experiences working with our fund.

Anouk praises the fund’s alignment with their goals and market understanding, while Graciëlla emphasizes how the fund’s validation of their business model boosted their confidence. Teun highlights the focus on sustainability, which resonated with his company’s values, and Jannes appreciates the fund’s support and belief in their mission’s impact.

Their testimonials showcase the fund’s commitment to empowering businesses with more than just financial backing.

Financial intelligence drives success.

The financing journey provided each entrepreneur with valuable insights. Anouk learned the importance of strategic financial planning. “The fund taught us the importance of being strategic with our finances, ensuring that every euro was spent wisely to maximize impact”.

Graciëlla gained insights into scaling and managing resources effectively. “Through the fund, we learned how to manage our resources effectively, ensuring that we were always focused on our goals and making the right decisions for the future of Closure”.

Teun, who already had a banking background in the pocket, learned about the value of lean startup methodologies. “The financing journey reinforced the importance of lean startup principles, focusing on building a sustainable business model before scaling”.

Jannes found the experience invaluable for strategic planning. “The fund provided the necessary resources to focus on our goals, refine our business model, and ensure that we were on the right track. This experience has been invaluable in shaping the future of Beyond Weather”.

Lasting impact.

The fund has proven to be more than just a financial resource. It has been a partner in the truest sense, helping these entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of building a business, validating their missions, and ensuring they had the autonomy to make the right decisions for their future.

Through their stories, it’s clear that the right support at the right time can make all the difference in creating a healthier world at large and that of startups.