
DFF (Dutch Founders Fund)
Description
Dutch Founders Fund (DFF) is an Amsterdam-based early-stage venture capital firm with a distinct focus on network-effect-driven propositions across Europe and the MENA region. Established by seasoned entrepreneurs, DFF leverages its founders' operational experience to support portfolio companies beyond just capital injection. The firm's investment strategy is deeply rooted in identifying businesses where the value of the product or service increases as more users join, creating powerful defensibility and exponential growth potential.
DFF primarily targets pre-seed and seed-stage companies, providing initial capital to help them scale their foundational operations and achieve product-market fit. While their initial cheques typically range from €500,000 to €2.5 million, they are prepared to make significant follow-on investments, potentially committing up to €5 million over the lifecycle of a company. This long-term commitment underscores their belief in nurturing companies from their nascent stages through to more mature Series A rounds, offering strategic guidance and access to their extensive network of founders and industry experts.
The firm successfully closed its second fund, DFF II, at €50 million in 2022, demonstrating strong investor confidence in their specialized approach and track record. This capital allows DFF to continue its mission of backing innovative startups that are building scalable, community-driven platforms. With over 30 companies already in their portfolio, DFF has established itself as a significant player in the European early-stage ecosystem, contributing to the growth of tech ventures that thrive on interconnected user bases and strong community dynamics. Their hands-on approach and focus on specific business models differentiate them in a competitive VC landscape.
Investor Profile
DFF (Dutch Founders Fund) has backed more than 52 startups, with 10 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 21 rounds, about 40% of its total and boasts 1 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Pre Seed, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in The Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, FinTech, SaaS.
- Led 4 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $540K – $2.7M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (48%)
- Pre Seed (21%)
- Series A (12%)
- Convertible Note (8%)
- Secondary Market (4%)
- Series B (4%)
- Series Unknown (4%)
Country Focus
- The Netherlands (38%)
- Germany (23%)
- United Kingdom (17%)
- United States (6%)
- Hungary (4%)
- United Arab Emirates (4%)
- Italy (4%)
- Turkey (2%)
- Egypt (2%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Fintech
- Saas
- B2b
- Marketplace
- E-commerce
- Apps
- Financial Services
- Analytics
- Information Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
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