Antwerp-based venture capital fund Imec.istart Future Fund announced that it has completed its second closing, following an earlier closing last year. This development brings additional capital and backing from both returning and new investors.
Several entrepreneurs from the technology and business sectors have joined the fund as new stakeholders. In addition to funding, they bring operational experience to support the fund’s activities and the startups in its portfolio.
The Imec.istart Future Fund received additional capital from entrepreneurs who have built or exited companies. Jeroen De Wit (Teamleader), Jorn Vanysacker and Gilles Mattelin (Henchman), Jürgen Degrande (Edgard & Cooper), Matthias Geeroms (Lighthouse), and Jan Hollez (Deliverect) are participating in this second phase.
Kris Vandenberk, fund manager and experienced venture capitalist, says, “Our ambition goes beyond providing capital; we aim to create strategic value and accelerate the growth of our portfolio companies.”
“We are therefore pleased to welcome an experienced group of successful entrepreneurs who are committed to sharing their expertise and network.”
Imec.istart Future Fund confirms strategy
Imec.istart Future Fund provides follow-up financing for startups that have progressed through the imec.istart accelerator. It focuses on companies working in digital technology.
While the accelerator offers initial investments of up to €250K, the fund provides up to €1M in first-round financing, with the possibility of additional support equal to 10 per cent of the total fund size.
The Imec.istart Future Fund will maintain its current approach, focusing on growth financing for companies from the imec.istart accelerator.
Ruth Janssens, Managing Partner of the imec.istart future fund, says, “Our close collaboration with imec.istart gives us access to a carefully curated network of high-potential startups. The imec.istart team assists in identifying companies ready for scaling and further investment. This results in a cost-efficient fund structure and a high-quality portfolio.”
“Our strategy focuses on a balanced diversification across technologies, company maturity levels, and sectors, enabling effective risk mitigation.”
Imec.istart Future Fund may allocate up to 20 per cent of its total capital to innovative tech companies outside its imec.istart portfolio.
A final closing for new investors is planned before the summer. The fund previously announced an ambition to raise an additional €25M in a later phase. Past portfolio highlights include Deliverect, PieSync, Datacamp, and Ugentec.
Funds raised in the first phase
In January last year, the Imec.istart Future Fund raised €25M in its first phase. The funding came from institutional sources including PMV, Finance&invest.brussels, Noshaq, and ING Belgium, along with private contributors such as COI, Imec, the Clarebout family office, business angels, and tech entrepreneurs.
The fund has since invested in six companies working in digital technology: Veoware (satellite technology), Minze (medtech), Companion.Energy (energy management), Karomia (sustainability reporting software), Prismos (policymaking software), and Nuclivision (radioactive imaging).
Brief about the imec.istart Future Fund
The imec.istart Future Fund is an independent venture capital fund focused on supporting technology companies at the late seed and series A stages in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy.
The fund primarily invests in graduates of the imec.istart accelerator programme but also strategically backs exceptional companies outside the accelerator network. Its goal is to establish long-term partnerships with portfolio companies to support their growth.
The imec.istart accelerator, part of imec, offers early-stage support to tech startups, providing initial funding ranging from €100K to €250K, along with coaching, mentoring, and access to technology, office space, and a network of partners and investors.
Since its launch in 2011, imec.istart has assisted over 340 tech startups, helping them develop into sustainable businesses.
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