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KPN Ventures

Europe, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands, Rotterdam

Description

KPN Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of KPN, the leading telecommunications and IT provider in the Netherlands. Established to foster innovation and identify strategic opportunities, KPN Ventures primarily invests in early-stage B2B technology companies, typically from Seed to Series B rounds. Their investment focus aligns closely with KPN's strategic priorities, encompassing areas such as IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Digital Health, Data & Analytics, and Network Technology. The firm seeks to partner with companies that can benefit from KPN's extensive network, customer base, and operational expertise, offering more than just capital.

The venture arm is known for its strategic approach, aiming to create mutually beneficial relationships where portfolio companies can leverage KPN's market access and resources, while KPN gains insights into emerging technologies and potential future partnerships. Since its inception, KPN Ventures has built a diverse portfolio, making over 20 investments in promising startups across Europe and beyond. They often participate in co-investment rounds alongside other reputable venture capital firms, demonstrating their collaborative investment style.

KPN Ventures typically provides initial investments ranging from approximately $500,000 to $5 million. This flexible check size allows them to support companies at various early growth stages, from initial product development to scaling market presence. Beyond financial backing, KPN Ventures actively supports its portfolio companies through mentorship, access to KPN's commercial channels, and strategic guidance, aiming to accelerate their growth and market penetration within the telecommunications and IT ecosystems. Their commitment is to long-term partnerships that drive technological advancement and create significant value for both the startups and KPN.

Investor Profile

KPN Ventures has backed more than 37 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 12 rounds, about 32% of its total and boasts 5 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series A, Series B, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in The Netherlands, United States, Belgium.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Internet of Things, Information Technology.
  • Typical check size: $500K – $5M.

Stage Focus

  • Series A (32%)
  • Series B (19%)
  • Seed (16%)
  • Series C (14%)
  • Series Unknown (8%)
  • Series D (8%)
  • Debt Financing (3%)

Country Focus

  • The Netherlands (27%)
  • United States (19%)
  • Belgium (14%)
  • Germany (11%)
  • United Kingdom (8%)
  • France (5%)
  • Sweden (5%)
  • Finland (5%)
  • Israel (3%)
  • Country not foundSlovakia (Slovak Republic) (3%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Internet Of Things
  • Information Technology
  • Security
  • Saas
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Cyber Security
  • Enterprise Software
  • Telecommunications
  • Network Security
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does KPN Ventures frequently co-invest with?

Keen Venture Partners
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Co-Investments: 2
Evolution Equity Partners
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
Invest-NL
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Co-Investments: 2
Plug and Play
North America, California, United States, Sunnyvale
Co-Investments: 2
Ginko Ventures
Europe, Geneve, Switzerland, Geneva
Co-Investments: 2
Orange Ventures
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 2
Swisscom Ventures
Europe, Zurich, Switzerland, Zürich
Co-Investments: 2
Idinvest Partners
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 2
Bpifrance
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Maisons-alfort
Co-Investments: 2
Inkef
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Co-Investments: 2

Which angels does KPN Ventures often collaborate with?

JB
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1
WS
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1
UM
Europe, Bayern, Germany, Munich
Shared Deals: 1
VL
Europe, Southern Finland, Finland, Helsinki
Shared Deals: 1
ST
Europe, United Kingdom
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by KPN Ventures?

Openlayer

San Francisco, California, United States

Openlayer is an analysis platform that "opens up" machine learning models by detecting and eliminating failure patterns and biases.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Developer ToolsInformation TechnologyMachine LearningQuality AssuranceSoftware
Series AMay 14, 2025
Amount Raised: $14,500,000
Perlego

London, England, United Kingdom

Perlego is an online library that provides students with unlimited access to academic titles with built-in learning tools.

EBooksEdTechEducationPublishingSubscription Service
Series UnknownOct 8, 2024
Amount Raised: $19,865,638
BOX ID Systems

Munich, Bayern, Germany

Supply Chain Visibility SaaS Platform specialized in Process Monitoring & Conformity Analytics

AutomotiveEnterprise SoftwareIndustrialInformation TechnologyInternet of ThingsManufacturingSaaSSoftwareSupply Chain Management
SeedFeb 1, 2024
Amount Raised: $3,806,032
CloudTalk

Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia (Slovak Republic)

Next-gen business calling software

Call CenterCollaborationCRMSaaSSmall and Medium BusinessesSoftwareTelecommunicationsVoIP
Series BJan 17, 2024
Amount Raised: $28,000,000
Wirepas

Tampere, Western Finland, Finland

No bullshit. Just enterprise IoT as it should be. Connecting millions of devices. Failure-free. No infrastructure. No middlemen.

Internet of ThingsSoftwareWireless
Series DOct 31, 2023
Amount Raised: $21,897,486
Airalo

Delaware, Ohio, United States

Airalo is an eSIM store that gives travelers access to eSIMs globally at affordable rates.

Mobile AppsTelecommunicationsTravel
Series BJul 31, 2023
Amount Raised: $60,000,000
SMART-Photonics

Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, The Netherlands

SMART-Photonics is a pure-play foundry for Indium Phosphide photonics semiconductors.

CommercialLaserSemiconductor
Debt FinancingJul 12, 2023
Amount Raised: $44,562,237
Perlego

London, England, United Kingdom

Perlego is an online library that provides students with unlimited access to academic titles with built-in learning tools.

EBooksEdTechEducationPublishingSubscription Service
Series CApr 24, 2023
RangeForce

Manassas, Virginia, United States

RangeForce is a SaaS-based human cyber defense readiness platform that continuously develops defensive skills against the latest threats.

Cyber SecurityInformation TechnologySaaSSecurityTraining
Series BMar 6, 2023
Amount Raised: $20,000,000
Qollabi

Sint-joost-ten-node, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium

SaaS, Business Relationship Management Software (BRM) for professionals managing indirect sales channels (eg agents, partners, resellers)

Business Information SystemsEnterprise SoftwareHardwareInsuranceRetailSaaSSalesSoftware
SeedJun 30, 2022
Amount Raised: $2,300,000