Smarter Ventures

Overview

Smarter Ventures is a venture capital firm based in the Netherlands, focusing on early-stage AI and Web3 software scale-ups with proven, business-critical applications in B2B environments. Their primary focus lies in the Financial & Professional Services, Food, and Manufacturing industries. They operate as an open-end fund, allowing investors to enter and exit without lock-up periods, while ensuring portfolio companies are protected from exit pressure and can grow at a sustainable pace. The fund is managed by experienced entrepreneurs, not former bankers or consultants, who have successfully built and scaled companies themselves. This results in deeper insight, practical judgment, and value-added support for both investors and the founders they back. Every investment is accompanied by a customized development program co-created with the founding team. They don't just invest money; they actively support portfolio companies with hands-on guidance from experienced founders and subject-matter experts to accelerate their growth and reduce risk. Their goal is not short-term financial gain, but to help build companies that deliver consistent value over time to customers, employees, and shareholders alike. They believe in sustainable growth and responsible entrepreneurship. Fund managers do not receive performance commissions or hidden incentives. Instead, they invest their own capital alongside investors, ensuring complete alignment: they only succeed when their investors and portfolio companies succeed. Smarter Ventures has invested in companies such as Deeploy, Mesh ID, Passionfruit, Merqato, and OneSurance. They have also engaged in international initiatives, such as a trade mission to Expo 2025 in Japan, in collaboration with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, celebrating 425 years of friendship and commerce between Japan and the Netherlands. This initiative aims to offer Japanese innovators a gateway into Europe and help Dutch scale-ups grow in Japan. Smarter Ventures distinguishes itself through its open-end fund structure, experienced entrepreneurial management, combination of capital and expertise, focus on continuity and long-term value creation, and aligned incentives without carried interest. They are committed to supporting innovative entrepreneurs in the growth of their companies, making a difference by giving them wings to fly.

Investment Focus

• Early-stage AI and Web3 software scale-ups
• Proven, business-critical applications in B2B environments
• Primary focus in Financial & Professional Services, Food, and Manufacturing industries
• Seed and Early Stage companies
• Investment tickets between €250,000 and €1,000,000
• Preference to act as lead investor

Portfolio Companies