The early childhood education industry in Benelux is focused on nurturing the developmental needs of children from birth to age six. Companies in this sector range from innovative tech startups offering educational apps to traditional childcare providers and experiential learning centers. These organizations prioritize various aspects of early learning, including cognitive and emotional development, while integrating play-based methodologies. Trends show a growing emphasis on technology-enhanced learning solutions and personalized education experiences. The market is evolving with a significant investment influx aimed at improving educational resources and accessibility to ensure every child has a solid foundational start.


The list of investors in early childhood education in Benelux showcases a mix of venture capital and private equity firms, primarily based in Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Over the years, these firms have varied in size—ranging from newcomers with teams of 1-10 to well-established entities with thousands of employees. Founded between 1898 and 2020, these firms have actively engaged with early childhood education investments, with some reporting multiple deals in 2024 and others strategically planning for future growth.


Top 19 Early Childhood Education Investors in Benelux


1. Brighteye Ventures


Brighteye Ventures is a Luxembourg-based venture capital fund founded in 2017, specializing in Edtech investments. The firm supports early-stage Edtech startups by providing funding, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry experts. Notably, Brighteye Ventures has participated in several significant transactions relevant to early childhood education. For instance, they were involved in the Series C funding round for Epic!, an on-demand digital library for kids that serves millions of children and is widely used in K-5 schools across the U.S. Additionally, they invested in Memby, a Lithuania-based EdTech startup, and have supported Sdui, a German EdTech company, in multiple funding rounds. These investments highlight Brighteye Ventures' commitment to enhancing educational technology, particularly in the early childhood education sector.


2. Rubio Impact Ventures


Rubio Impact Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in impact investing, providing growth capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs addressing significant social and environmental challenges. Their investment areas include clean energy, mental health, and education, emphasizing collaboration with portfolio companies. Notably, Rubio has invested in Tiney, which raised $9,042,386 in May 2024, focusing on early childhood education. Additionally, they participated in the seed funding round for Cleverly, a Berlin-based EdTech startup that offers 1-to-1 online coaching for kids, raising €4.6 million in September 2023. These transactions highlight Rubio's commitment to supporting educational initiatives, particularly in the early childhood sector.


3. Prosus Group

  • Website: prosus.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: prosus-group

Prosus Group is a global technology investor and operator based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2019. The firm focuses on enhancing everyday life through technology across various sectors, including online classifieds, food delivery, payments, and education technology. With over 21 investments in 2024 alone, Prosus has established itself as a significant player in the venture capital landscape. Notably, they have invested in several prominent EdTech companies, such as GoStudent, which raised €300M in Series D funding to expand its educational offerings, and BYJU'S, which raised $540M in a venture round. Additionally, they led a $60M Series B funding round for Platzi, a professional education platform in Latin America, aimed at expanding its educational offerings. These transactions highlight Prosus's active role in the education sector, making them a relevant investor in the early childhood education context.


4. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. CVC has made notable investments in the education sector, including a significant acquisition of a 30% stake in GEMS Education, a major education provider in Dubai, valued at around $1 billion. This investment marks CVC's strategic entry into the Gulf region's education market. Additionally, CVC acquired 100% of Multiversity Group, an online education platform, further emphasizing their focus on educational investments. These transactions highlight CVC's commitment to delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic investments in the education sector, including early childhood education.


5. Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio


Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. It is part of the Mediahuis media group, which operates across Europe, focusing on independent journalism and diverse media services. The firm has made several notable investments in the education sector, including Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences, which raised significant funding to enhance its technological infrastructure and expand its academic offerings. Additionally, Mediahuis Ventures has invested in Tomorrow's Education, a Berlin-based edtech startup developing a metaverse campus, showcasing its interest in innovative educational solutions. These transactions highlight Mediahuis's engagement in the education space, particularly in areas that could impact early childhood education indirectly.


6. Sofina

  • Website: sofinagroup.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1898
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: sofina

Sofina is a Brussels-based investment company founded in 1898, specializing in providing patient capital to growing businesses across various sectors, including telecommunications, consumer goods, and energy. The firm partners with entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, offering strategic advice and long-term investment solutions to foster sustainable growth. In the context of early childhood education, Sofina has made notable investments in companies such as BYJU'S, which raised significant funding in multiple rounds (including $50 million in Series D and $75 million in Series C) to expand its educational offerings for children. Additionally, Sofina's involvement with Skillmatics, a company focused on educational games and learning tools for children, further emphasizes its commitment to the education sector. These transactions highlight Sofina's strategic interest in supporting innovative educational solutions, particularly those aimed at early childhood development.


7. MPA Capital

  • Website: mpa.capital
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: mpaeducation

MPA Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 2019. The firm is dedicated to supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs and companies that address the human talent shortage, particularly through investment and consultancy services in the EdTech sector. MPA Capital has participated in several notable transactions, including Kide Science, which raised $1,127,550 in a seed round to enhance early childhood education through innovative learning methods. They also invested in Lifeed, which raised $954,413 in a seed round, focusing on educational solutions that promote lifelong learning. Additionally, MPA Capital was involved in funding Blackbullion, a financial edtech platform, which, while not exclusively focused on early childhood education, contributes to the broader educational landscape. These transactions highlight MPA Capital's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and workforce engagement, making them a relevant player in the early childhood education sector.


8. NPM Capital

  • Website: npm-capital.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1948
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: npm-capital

NPM Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1948. The firm specializes in supporting medium-sized and large companies, particularly family-owned enterprises in the Benelux region. NPM Capital provides capital and strategic advisory services to help these businesses achieve growth and sustainability. They operate across various sectors, including technology and education, emphasizing long-term partnerships with their portfolio companies. Notably, NPM Capital has made significant investments in the education sector, acquiring Futurewhiz, the parent company of online learning platforms Squla and WRTS, which focus on providing educational content for children. They also acquired Infinitas Learning, a company that develops educational resources, and Iddink Group, which provides digital learning solutions. These transactions highlight NPM Capital's active involvement in the early childhood education space, making them a relevant investor in this category.


9. Karmijn Kapitaal

  • Website: karmijnkapitaal.nl
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: karmijn-kapitaal

Karmijn Kapitaal is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in providing growth capital, acquisition financing, and management buy-out support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Netherlands. Karmijn Kapitaal emphasizes diversity in management teams and actively collaborates with its portfolio companies to enhance their operations and drive sustainable growth. Notably, Karmijn Kapitaal has made significant investments in the early childhood education sector, acquiring UniKidz on July 18, 2024, and Opdidakt on June 8, 2016. These acquisitions reflect their commitment to investing in companies that contribute to early childhood education, making them a relevant player in this industry.


10. DOB Equity

  • Website: dobequity.nl
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Veessen, Gelderland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1997
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: dob-foundation

DOB Equity is an impact investment fund based in Veessen, Gelderland, Netherlands, founded in 1997. The fund focuses on supporting innovative and scalable companies in Eastern Africa, aiming to create social impact while ensuring long-term profitability for its portfolio companies. Notably, DOB Equity has invested in educational initiatives, including Bridge International Academies, which raised funds in 2009, and Moringa School, a Nairobi-based software development institution. They provided funding to Moringa School in both 2019 and 2020 to help the institution adapt to remote learning during the Covid-19 crisis, showcasing their commitment to enhancing educational access and quality in the region.


11. Cobepa

  • Website: cobepa.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1957
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: cobepa

Cobepa is a private equity investment company based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 1957. It specializes in providing investment management and strategic support to enhance the growth and sustainability of its partner businesses. Cobepa operates with a permanent capital base, allowing it to invest across various industries, including healthcare and industrial sectors. Notably, Cobepa has made significant investments in the early childhood education sector, particularly through its acquisition of a minority stake in Groupe Babilou S.A.S. in 2013, which is recognized as a leading operator of privately owned nurseries in France. This investment highlights Cobepa's engagement in the early childhood education market, alongside its broader investment strategy.


12. 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, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in multiple sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in transactions relevant to early childhood education, such as the funding of Robo Wunderkind, which raised over $1.8 million in grants to develop educational robotics aimed at children. This aligns with the EIC's commitment to promoting innovative educational solutions. Additionally, the EIC has supported institutions like the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and Turing College, which may also contribute to educational advancements, further emphasizing its role in the education sector.


13. Holland Capital

  • Website: hollandcapital.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1981
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: holland-venture

Holland Capital is a venture capital and private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1981. The firm specializes in providing growth financing and buy-out capital to small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly in the technology, healthcare, and agrifood sectors. With over 40 years of experience, Holland Capital actively supports its portfolio companies to achieve optimal growth. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in Opdidakt, which indicates a focus on educational services, and Karify, which operates in the healthcare technology space. These investments reflect Holland Capital's diverse portfolio and their potential interest in sectors that intersect with early childhood education.


14. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)


Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) is a venture capital firm based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 1983. BOM acts as a development agency that supports startups and scale-ups in the Brabant region, offering various programs aimed at enhancing business growth, including readiness programs for venture capital and innovation in sustainable food and energy sectors. Among their notable transactions, BOM has invested in Serious Toys B.V., which focuses on educational toys, and Gynzy, a company that provides digital tools for education, which can be particularly beneficial in early childhood settings. Additionally, BOM participated in a funding round for Knowingo, an Edtech startup that aims to make online learning more engaging through AI and gamification, further emphasizing their interest in educational technology. These investments highlight BOM's role in fostering innovation in the education sector, making them a relevant player in the early childhood education landscape.


15. Verlinvest

  • Website: verlinvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: verlinvest

Verlinvest is a Brussels-based venture capital firm founded in 1995, specializing in high-growth consumer brands across diverse sectors, including food, beverage, health, and technology. The firm provides long-term capital and strategic advisory services to help brands scale and innovate. Among its notable investments in the early childhood education sector, Verlinvest has invested in XSEED Education, which raised over $10 million in a Series B funding round to expand its technology-enabled learning platform aimed at reaching 10 million children. Additionally, Verlinvest has supported BYJU'S, a leading educational technology company, in its international expansion efforts. These transactions highlight Verlinvest's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for children, particularly in the early childhood education space.


16. 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 venture capital investment firm based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1980. The firm partners with innovative companies across multiple sectors, including Consumer, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Smart Industries, and Sustainable Cities. Gimv provides investment management and strategic support to help businesses grow sustainably. Notably, they have made significant investments in the education sector, including a majority equity investment in Studiekring, a tutoring provider in the Netherlands, aimed at expanding its operations. Additionally, they have been involved with sofatutor, an online learning platform, indicating their focus on educational technologies and services. These transactions highlight Gimv's commitment to fostering growth in the education sector, particularly in areas that can impact early childhood education.


17. s16vc - Founders for Founders Fund

  • Website: s16vc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: s16vc

s16vc - Founders for Founders Fund is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in providing advisory services to businesses, focusing on management and strategy. In 2021, they participated in a seed funding round for bina, an edtech startup aimed at educating children aged 4 to 12, which raised $1.4 million. This involvement highlights their engagement in the early childhood education sector, showcasing their interest in supporting innovative educational solutions for young learners.


18. Peak

  • Website: peak.capital
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2008
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: peak-capital

Peak Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2008. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies within the SaaS, marketplace, and platform sectors, providing funding and support to help these businesses scale and succeed. In 2019, Peak Capital invested €350k in LessonUp, a Dutch edtech startup that aims to enhance educational experiences, which is particularly relevant to early childhood education. This investment demonstrates Peak's interest in the education sector, alongside their other investments in fintech and various startups, indicating a diverse portfolio while still engaging with educational initiatives.


19. Inventures Investment Partners, impact Venture Capital


Inventures Investment Partners is an impact venture capital firm based in Belgium, founded in 2012. The firm manages funds that focus on generating both financial and social returns, investing in early-stage and scale-up companies that tackle societal challenges. Their investment strategy is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing support for innovative startups seeking capital to scale their operations. Among their notable transactions, they invested in Domoscio, which raised funds in seed rounds in 2015 and 2016, focusing on personalized learning solutions. Additionally, they participated in a Series A round for myskillcamp in 2021, a platform that enhances learning experiences, which can be applicable to early childhood education. These investments highlight their engagement in the educational technology space, making them a relevant player in the early childhood education sector.



Early Childhood Education Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Brighteye VenturesLuxembourg1-1020177
Rubio Impact VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands1-10201413
Prosus GroupAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands10001+201921
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
Mediahuis Technology & Product StudioAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands201-50020205
SofinaBrussels, Brussels, Belgium51-20018984
MPA CapitalBrussels, Brussels, Belgium1-1020190
NPM CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019481
Karmijn KapitaalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020101
DOB EquityVeessen, Gelderland, Netherlands1-1019971
CobepaBrussels, Brussels, Belgium11-5019572
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
Holland CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019813
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands51-200198310
VerlinvestBrussels, Brussels, Belgium11-5019955
GimvAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20019808
s16vc - Founders for Founders FundAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020207
PeakAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020088
Inventures Investment Partners, impact Venture CapitalBelgium1-1020120


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