The science and technology non-profit industry in Benelux is characterized by a commitment to innovation and societal betterment. Companies in this sector focus on developing new technologies, advancing medical research, and creating sustainable solutions. Research institutions, biotech firms, and agrifood enterprises play vital roles in this ecosystem. Recent years have seen an increased emphasis on collaborations between industry and academia to tackle urgent challenges. Additionally, funding from international and regional investors is rising, indicating a robust trajectory for future advancements. The growing appetite for sustainable energy, healthcare innovations, and solutions for food security further drives this positive momentum.


The 16 investors highlighted here represent a blend of venture capital firms and corporate entities, varied in size and focus. Most operate from Brussels and Amsterdam, while others are based in cities across Belgium and the Netherlands. Founded mainly in the late 20th to early 21st century, they span headcounts from small teams of 1-10 to larger entities with over 5,000 employees. In 2024, these financial backers collectively made numerous investments across the sectors of biotechnology, energy, and advanced technology, indicating a strong support network for innovative projects in the non-profit landscape.


Top 16 Science and Technology Non Profit Investors in Benelux


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, designed to help startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC also provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation across different sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in several significant transactions relevant to the science and technology non-profit context, including grants to companies like Pulse, which raised $4,412,576 in July 2023, and Qubit Pharmaceuticals, which received $2,998,774 in June 2021. Additionally, the EIC has supported academic institutions, such as the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, which raised $4,326,181 in October 2024. These transactions highlight the EIC's active role in promoting scientific and technological advancements through non-profit funding mechanisms.


2. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB), founded in 1958 and based in Luxembourg, is a public entity that provides a range of financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services. The EIB supports sustainable projects across various sectors, with a focus on promoting growth and job creation. Among its notable transactions, the EIB has provided substantial debt financing to educational institutions such as University College Dublin, which raised over $404 million, and Ulster University, which secured approximately $250 million. Additionally, the EIB has supported Dublin City University with a grant of over $263 million. In the technology sector, the EIB's involvement with Algorithmiq, a company focused on developing quantum algorithms for life sciences, highlights its commitment to advancing scientific research and innovation. These transactions demonstrate the EIB's active role in financing initiatives that contribute to the science and technology landscape.


3. Forbion

  • Website: forbion.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Naarden, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2006
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: forbion-capital-partners

Forbion is a venture capital firm founded in 2006, located in Naarden, North Holland, Netherlands. The firm specializes in the life sciences and bioeconomy sectors, providing investment management and support to biotech companies. Forbion collaborates with entrepreneurs and academic institutions to develop innovative therapies and technologies aimed at addressing unmet medical needs and improving patient outcomes. Notable transactions include significant investments in companies like AIRNA, which raised $155 million in Series B funding, and Prilenia, which secured $62.5 million for late-stage trials targeting Huntington’s disease and ALS. These investments highlight Forbion's commitment to advancing medical research and technology, making them a key player in the science and technology landscape.


4. Noshaq

  • Website: noshaq.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Belgium
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: noshaq-be

Noshaq is a venture capital investment fund based in Belgium, founded in 1985. The firm specializes in providing financial solutions and strategic support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the province of Liege, with a focus on funding, project structuring, and business development. Noshaq is particularly active in sectors such as biotech and sustainable development, aiming to foster growth and innovation through tailored financial assistance. Notable transactions include their investment in ExeVir Bio, which raised significant funds for biotechnological research, and Radiomics, which is working on an AI solution for lung cancer imaging. Their recent involvement in funding EXO Biologics, which is developing clinical trials for MSC-derived exosomes, further highlights their commitment to advancing science and technology initiatives that have the potential for significant societal impact.


5. EIT Food

  • Website: eitfood.eu
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 37
  • LinkedIn: eit-food

EIT Food is a not-for-profit organization based in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2016. It is dedicated to transforming the food system through innovation, education, and entrepreneurship. EIT Food supports agrifood startups and entrepreneurs by providing resources, funding opportunities, and educational programs aimed at creating healthier and sustainable food solutions. Their initiatives engage various stakeholders, including businesses and the public, to foster collaboration and drive change in the food sector. In 2023, EIT Food awarded €1.8 million in grants to three pioneering businesses in cultivated protein, including LenioBio, 3D Bio-Tissues, and BioBetter, to help lower production costs and develop commercial products. Additionally, they have been involved in seed funding rounds for companies like Constellr and New Wave Biotech, which focus on innovative technologies in the food and biotechnology sectors. These transactions highlight EIT Food's active role in promoting science and technology within the agrifood industry.


6. InnoEnergy

  • Website: innoenergy.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 52
  • LinkedIn: innoenergy

EIT InnoEnergy is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2010, based in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands. It is dedicated to accelerating sustainable energy innovations by providing a marketplace for energy solutions, training programs, and support for innovators and corporates in the energy sector. InnoEnergy collaborates with various stakeholders to address the challenges of energy transition and sustainability. Notably, InnoEnergy has participated in significant transactions such as the Seed funding for Novatron, a fusion energy company, and the Series A funding for RVE.SOL, a Portuguese minigrid firm that aims to bring renewable power and clean water to communities in East Africa. These investments highlight InnoEnergy's commitment to fostering technological advancements in the energy sector, making it a key player in the science and technology non-profit landscape.


7. Rockstart

  • Website: rockstart.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: rockstart

Rockstart is a startup accelerator and investment firm based in Amsterdam, founded in 2011. The firm empowers early-stage founders across various sectors, including AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Technology, by providing investment, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Rockstart's business model is centered around supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs who aim to drive positive change. Notable transactions include their co-investment in Innomy, a foodtech startup that raised €1.3 million to develop mushroom-based alt-protein sources, highlighting their interest in innovative food technologies. Additionally, they participated in the funding of Molecular Quantum Solutions, which is transforming its tool stack into a SaaS solution for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, showcasing their engagement in technology-driven projects. Other investments, such as in Beholder and SCITODATE, further illustrate their active role in supporting startups that leverage technology for impactful solutions.


8. Gimv

  • Website: gimv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: gimv

Gimv is a Belgian-based investment firm founded in 1980, located in Antwerp, Flanders. With a team size of 51-200, Gimv specializes in partnering with innovative companies across various sectors, including Consumer, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Smart Industries, and Sustainable Cities. They provide not only capital but also strategic support to help businesses navigate market challenges and grow sustainably. Notably, Gimv has been involved in significant transactions in the science and technology space, such as leading a €72 million financing round for Complement Therapeutics, which focuses on gene therapy for geographic atrophy, and participating in a $65 million Series E round for General Fusion, a company working on fusion energy technology. These investments highlight Gimv's commitment to supporting advancements in science and technology that can lead to societal improvements.


9. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)


The Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) is a development agency based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 1983. BOM supports startups and scale-ups in the Brabant region by offering various programs aimed at enhancing business growth, including readiness programs for venture capital and innovation in sustainable food and energy sectors. BOM collaborates with businesses to provide funding, expertise, and networking opportunities, facilitating their success in competitive markets. Notably, BOM has been involved in several significant transactions in the science and technology sector, such as their investments in RiboPro, which raised funds through a Seed Round and a Convertible Note, focusing on biotechnology solutions. Additionally, BOM participated in the funding round for Cristal Therapeutics, which is advancing clinical development in oncology and nanotechnology. These transactions highlight BOM's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting scientific advancements in the region.


10. Inkef

  • Website: inkef.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: inkef-netherlands-manager

Inkef is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in early-stage investments primarily in the healthcare and technology sectors, providing funding and strategic guidance to mission-driven entrepreneurs. Inkef's investment strategy emphasizes long-term value creation and patient investment approaches. Among their notable transactions, Inkef led a Series A funding round for Quantum Motion, a company focused on developing scalable quantum computers, which highlights their engagement in cutting-edge technology. Additionally, they co-led a €20M Series A financing round for Calypso Biotech, a biotechnology firm working on innovative treatments for autoimmune diseases. These investments reflect Inkef's commitment to supporting advancements in science and technology, making them a relevant player in this space.


11. Globivest

  • Website: globivest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Mamer, Capellen, Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: globivest

Globivest is a venture capital firm based in Mamer, Capellen, Luxembourg, founded in 2016. The firm focuses on empowering early-stage startups that prioritize impact alongside profit, providing both funding and strategic support to entrepreneurs. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to innovative and scalable solutions across diverse sectors. Notably, Globivest has participated in several transactions relevant to the science and technology non-profit context, including investments in Rational Vaccines, which is involved in vaccine development, and CrunchDAO, which may have implications for decentralized finance and technology. Their investment strategy indicates a strong alignment with supporting impactful innovations that can contribute to societal benefits.


12. UCB Ventures

  • Website: ucbventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: ucb-ventures

UCB Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in biotechnology investments, providing funding and strategic support to early-stage companies that are developing innovative therapies for severe diseases. UCB Ventures aims to create value from novel insights and technologies, helping its portfolio companies advance their research and bring new treatments to market. Notable transactions include a $49.2 million Series A investment in ExeVir Bio, which focuses on developing therapies for viral infections, and a $25 million Series A funding round for ViaNautis Bio, which is advancing a proprietary drug delivery platform. Additionally, UCB Ventures has invested in Rinri Therapeutics, which is developing a novel stem cell therapy to restore hearing loss, showcasing their commitment to supporting scientific advancements in healthcare.


13. Invest-NL

  • Website: invest-nl.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 17
  • LinkedIn: invest-nl

Invest-NL is an impact investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in financing sustainable and innovative projects, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. Invest-NL aims to support entrepreneurs with promising plans for societal transitions by mobilizing capital from various sources to make impactful investments that contribute to a more sustainable economy. Notable transactions include a €10 million investment in Delft IMP, which focuses on innovative solutions in the chemical industry, and a significant investment in Carbyon, which is involved in carbon capture technology. These investments highlight Invest-NL's commitment to fostering innovation in science and technology that aligns with societal needs.


14. European Research Council (ERC)


The European Research Council (ERC) is a public entity established in 2007, located in Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode, Brussels, Belgium. It plays a pivotal role in funding scientific research across Europe through various grant opportunities aimed at researchers and academic institutions. The ERC is dedicated to facilitating innovative projects and advancing knowledge in multiple fields, particularly in frontier research. Notable transactions include the awarding of EU ERC Starting Grants to the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology for two research projects, each funded with approximately EUR 1.5 million over five years, aimed at establishing independent research teams. Additionally, University College Dublin received a grant of $2,807,437 in 2019, and the John Innes Centre was awarded a €2 million grant to enhance global wheat production through gene editing. These transactions highlight the ERC's commitment to supporting significant scientific advancements and its impact on the research landscape.


15. Capricorn Partners


Capricorn Partners is an investment management firm based in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1993. The firm specializes in venture capital, growth capital, and quoted equity funds, focusing on innovative companies in sectors such as digital technologies, health, and clean technologies. Their investment strategy is characterized by a commitment to responsible investing, aiming to create both financial returns and strategic value for their clients. Notable transactions include their investment in Confo Therapeutics, which raised €30M in a Series A round to develop drug candidates and screening technology, and a Series B round where they contributed €65M to further advance the company's research. Additionally, their involvement with Liquidity Nanotech Corporation and InsectSense highlights their interest in cutting-edge technologies that could have significant societal impacts. These investments reflect Capricorn Partners' alignment with the goals of advancing science and technology, making them a potential contributor to non-profit initiatives in these areas.


16. Vib

  • Website: vib.be
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ghent, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: vib

VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie) is a public entity based in Ghent, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1995. It focuses on strategic research in life sciences and biotechnology, offering research and development services, technology transfer, and support for biotech startups. VIB collaborates with academic institutions and industry partners to translate scientific discoveries into practical applications. In recent years, VIB has been involved in several significant transactions in the biotech sector, including a Series A investment in Muna Therapeutics, which raised $73M to advance treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. They also participated in ExeVir Bio's Series A funding, which raised approximately $49.2 million, aimed at developing innovative therapies. Additionally, VIB has supported Protealis in its Series B funding round, which secured EUR 22 million for sustainable plant protein solutions. These transactions demonstrate VIB's active engagement in promoting scientific research and technological advancements in the life sciences sector.



Science and Technology Non Profit Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
ForbionNaarden, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200623
NoshaqBelgium11-50198511
EIT FoodLeuven, Flanders, Belgium51-200201637
InnoEnergyEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands201-500201052
RockstartAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50201116
GimvAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20019808
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands51-200198310
InkefAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020104
GlobivestMamer, Capellen, Luxembourg1-1020161
UCB VenturesBrussels, Brussels, Belgium1-1020171
Invest-NLAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202017
European Research Council (ERC)Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode, Brussels, Belgium201-50020071
Capricorn PartnersLeuven, Flanders, Belgium11-5019935
VibGhent, Flanders, Belgium1001-500019953


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