Launching Future Tech Ventures, Group Photo Investment Managers And Fund Manager Niek Huizenga
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Launch of Future Tech Ventures: new proof-of-concept fund for high-tech startups in Northern Netherlands

High-tech startups in the Northern Netherlands have gained a significant new partner to support their growth. Today, Future Tech Ventures (FTV) was officially launched at the Startup Festival in Groningen. This proof-of-concept fund, valued at approximately €20 million, was established through a collaboration between Triade, RUG Ventures, NV NOM, and Investeringsfonds Groningen. Over the next five years, FTV aims to guide and finance dozens of high-tech startups in the region.

Niek Huizenga, Fund Manager of Future Tech Ventures highlighted the unique nature of the fund for the Northern Netherlands, emphasizing the collaboration of established parties: “Future Tech Ventures is a fantastic tool to strengthen the region’s innovation potential. We invest in the proof-of-concept phase, providing funding, business support, and networking opportunities. We’ve already begun discussions with several founders for future investments, and we’ll soon share more about what lies ahead.”

20 million euros support

The fund, valued at around €20 million, is co-financed by a €10 million European subsidy from the Just Transition Fund (JTF). The remaining funding comes from FTV’s partnering organizations and co-investors. The goal is to finance and support at least 50 high-tech startups in the Northern Netherlands over the next five years, helping them advance from the initial technology development stage to becoming viable investment-ready businesses.

Pooling Resources for High-Tech Innovation

he partnership within Future Tech Ventures allows the collaborating organizations to combine their expertise and networks, giving startups access to essential resources from a single point of contact. Edward van der Meer, director of Triade, commented: “Future Tech Ventures is the result of years of collaboration between experienced parties in the Northern Netherlands. By bringing together the strengths of Triade (UMCG), RUG Ventures, Investment Fund Groningen and NOM we can better support startups and position the region as a hotspot for high-tech innovation.”

Sustained Societal Impact

The launch of Future Tech Ventures marks a key milestone for the startup community in the Northern Netherlands, providing high-tech startups with a solid foundation for growth. Niek Huizenga stressed the importance of early-stage support: “Startups are often in a very early phase where funding is difficult to secure, and there are significant risks related to technology, market, and team. That’s why Future Tech Ventures offers not only financial support but also intensive guidance, from incubation through follow-up investments to exit. We aim for these startups to achieve not only economic success but also lasting societal impact.”

Comments from FTV Partners:

Corina Prent, Managing Director of RUG Ventures: “It’s incredibly valuable to tackle the most challenging phase of investing—early-stage development—together with partners. The fund builds on the team’s experience and combines resources to help startups with societal impact grow and enter the market.”

Jan Timmer, Fund Manager at Investeringsfonds Groningen: “Future Tech Ventures will become the breeding ground for high-tech startups in the Northern Netherlands, strengthened by the JTF contribution and the intensive collaboration among partners. As these startups grow, additional capital will be necessary. Venture capital investors, with whom we have strong relationships, are already closely following Future Tech Ventures.”

Marco de Jong, Investment Manager at NOM: “With this fund, more capital becomes available for more startups, and we believe this will significantly increase the success rate of emerging high-tech companies.”

Launch of Future Tech Ventures and Founded in the North

On September 19, Future Tech Ventures, along with Founded in the North was launched at the Startup Festival. Future Tech Ventures will provide crucial guidance, business development, and funding for startups, while Founded offers the supportive infrastructure for further growth. This joint launch opens up significant opportunities for startups in the Northern Netherlands. Both projects are receiving European subsidies via the Northern Netherlands Alliance (SNN), with Future Tech Ventures receiving €10 million from the Just Transition Fund (JTF). Given the region’s challenges from industrial sustainability efforts and the end of natural gas extraction, the JTF aims to strengthen the area by promoting sustainable industry and economic diversification—goals that Future Tech Ventures fully aligns with.

Launching FTV

Photos: Douwe de Boer