Dutch-based Graduate Entrepreneur backs Next Ocean and Hexwise with €75K each

Dutch-based Graduate Entrepreneur, a firm that aims to stimulate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Rotterdam and Delft, announced that it has invested €75,000 each in pre-seed rounds of two Dutch startups, Next Ocean and Hexwise.

Graduate Entrepreneur is an initiative of a group of influential and merited alumni of Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, and the Delft University of Technology. The initiative was announced on April 8, 2021. The fund is led by its MD Auke van den Hout and a professional investment team together with a student board from Delft and Rotterdam.

Next Ocean: Everything you need to know

Delft-based deeptech company Next Ocean was founded in 2016 by Peter Naaijen and Karel Roozen. The company aims to revolutionise the maritime sector with its advanced wave prediction technology.

Next Ocean’s technology provides accurate forecasts of sea waves and vessel motions, allowing businesses to manage wave-related risks and enhance offshore operations’ efficiency. The innovation also leads to cost savings and a notable reduction in CO2 emissions, highlighting its environmental benefits.

In early 2022, the team grew with a focus on tackling container loss at sea and improving user interface, highlighting Next Ocean’s dedication to diverse expertise and innovation.

Karel says, “The larger part of our company being TU Delft alumni we feel a strong connection to Graduate Entrepreneur, which only invests in promising companies founded by Erasmus University and TU Delft alumni.”

“It’s been great working with Graduate Entrepreneur so far. Tapping into their network helps us raise awareness within the industry for the unique benefits Next Ocean’s technology has to offer.”

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Graduate Entrepreneur, which is strengthened even further by having them onboard as an investor from now on,” adds Karel.

Next Ocean says it will use the funds for sales and marketing, allowing the company to increase awareness of its technology and make a positive impact on the maritime sector.

Hexwise: innovating industrial efficiency

Founded in 2023 by Niels Bergsma, Roy Manting and Pim van Ramshorst, Nijkerk-based Hexwise is a spin-off of Wilton Heat Transfer Services. With support from Wilton’s management, the startup aims to optimise heat exchanger usage to reduce emissions, energy consumption, and operational costs while increasing production revenue for industries globally.

Hexwise claims to transform industrial energy efficiency using advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IIoT), Big Data, Cloud Computing, and AI.

By optimising Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers (ACHE) through data-driven insights, Hexwise helps clients enhance energy efficiency and production. This approach not only benefits businesses but also supports sustainability goals, making industries more eco-friendly.

Graduate Entrepreneur’s investment will help Hexwise to validate the market, analyse customer segments, build a customer base, and enhance the scalability of their solution.

Bergsma says, “Just from our first contact with Graduate, they helped us push ourselves to bring focus and clearance on many aspects of our business by asking the right questions.”

“We are looking forward to collaborating with Graduate, their network of mentors and their partnerships in the coming years and we believe that together with investors like Graduate we can make a big impact in our industry,” adds Bergsma.