Amsterdam has experienced strong funding activity, with several high-profile venture deals taking place in 2024. Fintech remains a dominant sector, with Amsterdam-based BUX, a commission-free trading platform, securing a major funding round to accelerate its European expansion.
One of the city’s most established tech firms, Bird, continues to scale, having expanded through acquisitions in recent years. The cloud communications company, which reached unicorn status in 2020, remains one of Amsterdam’s highest-valued private tech firms.
Beyond fintech, Amsterdam is also attracting investment in B2B SaaS and travel tech. OTA Insight, a hospitality analytics platform headquartered in Amsterdam, secured growth funding in 2024, signaling continued investor interest in data-driven SaaS solutions.
Amsterdam remains a magnet for international talent, regularly ranked as one of Europe’s most livable cities. The city’s high quality of life and strong tech ecosystem continue to attract skilled professionals and entrepreneurs from across the world. However, rising costs and housing shortages present growing challenges for startups looking to hire and retain top talent. Local policymakers are aware of these concerns and are considering housing initiatives to support Amsterdam’s expanding workforce.
One of the most significant shifts in recent years has been Amsterdam’s rise as a global fintech powerhouse. A Startup Genome report named Amsterdam among the world’s top fintech ecosystems, thanks to the success of companies such as Adyen and Bunq. This has led to a positive feedback loop, attracting more fintech-focused venture capital firms, investors, and events. One of Europe’s largest fintech conferences, Money20/20 Europe, continues to be hosted in Amsterdam, reinforcing the city’s position as a major financial technology hub.
Some of the most prominent venture capital firms in Amsterdam include INKEF Capital, Peak Capital, ENIAC Ventures, Holland Venture and Mainport Innovation Fund I.
INKEF Capital is a leading early-stage venture capital firm that invests in Dutch startups with global potential. The firm focuses on IT and life sciences companies with innovative technologies and has funded over 40 companies since its founding.
Peak Capital is another prominent VC firm located in Amsterdam that specializes in technology investments such as artificial intelligence (AI), software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications and digital media platforms. The company has invested in more than 30 different startups since its inception.
ENIAC Ventures is an early stage venture capital firm that invests in consumer internet and mobile technology startups with the potential to become globally successful. Since its founding, ENIAC Ventures has invested in more than 60 companies.
Holland Venture is an Amsterdam-based venture capital firm with a focus on early stage investments across Europe. The company has invested in over 50 companies since its establishment, primarily within the consumer, media & entertainment and software sectors.
Finally, Mainport Innovation Fund I is a seed-stage venture fund based in Amsterdam that focuses on tech-enabled services and products. The fund has invested more than €37 million into 18 different startups since it was launched.
These firms are just some of the many prominent venture capital firms located in Amsterdam. With the city’s continued focus on innovation and its strong infrastructure for startups, it is likely that many more venture capital firms will continue to make investments in the region in the years to come.
The Amsterdam venture capital landscape is highly competitive and diverse. There are a number of prominent venture capital firms located in the city, ranging from early-stage investors such as INKEF Capital and Peak Capital to later-stage investors like Mainport Innovation Fund I. The city also has a strong infrastructure for startups, with numerous incubators and accelerators providing resources to help entrepreneurs launch their companies.
In addition, there are several government initiatives that support innovation in the region. For example, the Dutch Venture Initiative (DVI) provides funding to high-growth startups through grants and investments. It also offers mentorship opportunities, workshops and other services designed to help young companies succeed.
Amsterdam is home to many successful tech startups, making it an attractive destination for venture capital firms. In the past few years, the city has seen a surge in investment activity, with numerous companies raising money from both local and international investors. With its vibrant startup scene and supportive government initiatives, Amsterdam is well positioned to become a major global innovation hub.
The Amsterdam venture capital sector is seeing several trends emerge in recent years. One such trend is an increased focus on early-stage investments. Many of the prominent VC firms are now focusing more of their attention on startups at seed or Series A stages of growth, providing them with the resources they need to scale up quickly and become globally successful companies.
Another trend is a shift towards tech-enabled services and products. Many of the top VC firms in Amsterdam are now investing in startups that use technology to provide innovative solutions, such as artificial intelligence or virtual reality. This focus on tech-driven companies provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs with new ideas to gain access to the capital they need for growth.
Finally, there has been a rise in the number of female-led venture capital firms in Amsterdam. This is part of a broader trend across Europe and beyond, as more women become active within the VC sector, providing valuable insights from their diverse perspectives and experiences.
These trends demonstrate that Amsterdam is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for investors who want to capitalize on the city's vibrant startup scene and supportive environment. With its many innovative and tech-driven companies, Amsterdam is well positioned to remain a major global player in the venture capital sector.
The venture capital scene in Amsterdam is very competitive and diverse, with numerous high-profile firms investing in the region. The city has a strong infrastructure for startups, with several incubators and accelerators providing resources to help entrepreneurs launch their companies. In addition, there are several government initiatives that support innovation in the region.
At the same time, Amsterdam still lags behind some other European cities in terms of venture capital investment activity. London, for example, attracted more than $9 billion in VC investments between 2018 and 2020. Meanwhile, Berlin drew nearly $7 billion over the same period. Although Amsterdam is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for investors, it still has room to grow when compared to these two cities.
Some of the most successful startups that have received venture capital in Amsterdam include e-scooter company Tier, which recently raised $150 million; online fashion retailer ABOUT YOU, which closed a $125 million Series D round; and virtual reality technology developer Virtual Reality Company (VRC), which secured $100 million in Series B funding. These companies are part of a new wave of tech startups that are taking advantage of Amsterdam's vibrant startup ecosystem to develop innovative products and services.
Overall, Amsterdam is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for investors looking to capitalize on its many innovative companies and supportive government initiatives. With its diverse range of VC firms and successful startups, the city has all the ingredients necessary to become a major global hub for innovation and investment.
The most active venture capital firms in Amsterdam include Atomico, Northzone, DN Capital and Accel. These firms have invested in a wide range of startups, from e-scooters to online fashion retailers. They are also involved in several government initiatives that support innovation in the region. Other prominent VCs operating in Amsterdam include Orange Growth Capital, Peak Capital and Qualcomm Ventures.
These firms represent some of the world's leading investors and provide important resources for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses quickly. With their support, Amsterdam is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for tech-driven startups seeking venture capital backing.