NP-Hard, not impossible: Amsterdam VC launches €25M Fund II to back the ‘crazy ones’ building tomorrow’s foundational infrastructure

Amsterdam-based NP-Hard Ventures, a founder-led early-stage VC, has launched Fund II to continue supporting European technical founders.

Amsterdam-based NP-Hard Ventures, a founder-led early-stage VC firm, has announced Fund II, a €25M vehicle focused on supporting European founders building core technology infrastructure.

The firm has already closed 60 per cent of the fund, with participation from more than 30 European builders and investors. 

The new capital will expand NP-Hard’s mission to support teams tackling deep technical challenges critical to Europe’s future.

The fund’s name comes from computer science, where “NP-Hard” problems are those that resist simple solutions. NP-Hard Ventures applies this idea to entrepreneurship — funding founders willing to take on the toughest technical and systemic problems.

Its first fund, launched at €12M, backed 30 companies such as Roseman Labs (encrypted computing), Monumental (construction robotics), Engrate (energy API), and Isembard (distributed manufacturing OS).

With Fund II, NP-Hard Ventures aims to strengthen Europe’s ability to build and own foundational technologies in areas reshaped by AI and global competition.

Anke Huiskes, co-founder and Managing Partner at NP-Hard Ventures, mentions, “Europe has the talent and grit – what we need is to channel it. AI and geopolitics have changed the game. Ownership of foundational technology is essential. The question isn’t whether Europe can build world-class infrastructure. It’s whether we choose to.”

“We’re backing the crazy ones who choose ownership. If that’s you, please reach out!”

Backing early-stage founders

NP-Hard Ventures structures its funds to support early-stage founders building core technological infrastructure.

Fund I (v1) was a €12M fund that invested in 30 companies, writing checks of about €250K, with a range from €100K to €500K. Its portfolio included ventures in encrypted computing, construction robotics, and distributed manufacturing.

Fund II (v2) has a target size of €25Mn and will invest in 30 pre-seed and seed companies. The average check size is around €450K, between €250K and €550K. Its focus spans robotics, deep tech, computing, manufacturing, and defence. 

NP-Hard Ventures aims to be among the first investors in a company, offering rapid decisions and requiring no board seats. The firm invests across Europe and the US.

Brief about NP-Hard Ventures

NP-Hard Ventures is a founder-led European venture capital firm that invests in pre-seed and seed companies tackling the hardest problems in technology.

The firm’s name comes from computer science, where NP-Hard problems represent challenges that appear unsolvable and demand breakthroughs. This idea reflects NP-Hard Ventures’ approach to supporting founders who take on complex, foundational issues. 

The firm believes Europe has the talent, persistence, and ambition to build companies that form the base of future technology — and that Europe must own its technological future rather than rent it. 

NP-Hard Ventures focuses on five key areas: robotics and autonomous systems, applied deep tech and AI, computational infrastructure, defence technology, and critical infrastructure. As the firm puts it, “Complain less, build more. We’re backing the crazy ones who build our future.”