The self-driving car industry in Benelux is a dynamic sector driving innovation in transportation. Companies range from established automotive giants like Stellantis to startups focused on autonomous technology and machine learning. They work on various aspects, including AI systems, advanced sensors, and software solutions that enhance vehicle autonomy and safety. As cities evolve with smart mobility solutions, the demand for autonomous vehicles is anticipated to surge, prompting further research and development. Governments and private investors are paving the way for robust policies that support this future. Recent advances signal a paradigm shift in how we think about mobility.


The investors in the self-driving car sector in Benelux comprise a mix of corporate giants, venture capital funds, and niche private equity firms. Headquartered across cities like Amsterdam, Brussels, and Luxembourg, these entities range in size from small teams to large corporations employing thousands. Established since the late 20th century, many focus on innovation, with deal counts in 2024 varied as they chase promising startups. 2024 alone saw noteworthy investments from key players, showcasing a robust interest in the evolving self-driving industry and its intersection with technology.


Top 19 Self Driving Car 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 throughout Europe. It offers a range of funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping 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. In the context of self-driving cars, the EIC has made significant investments, such as a €2.5 million grant and a €4 million equity investment in Chassis Autonomy, which is focused on developing technologies for autonomous vehicles. Additionally, the EIC participated in the seed funding round for Provizio, an Irish startup working on sensor technology to prevent road accidents, further demonstrating its commitment to advancing the self-driving car industry.


2. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg that provides financial services, including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services, to support sustainable projects across various sectors. Founded in 1958, EIB serves both public and private organizations seeking funding for initiatives that promote growth and job creation. In the context of self-driving cars, EIB has made notable investments, such as a $34 million funding round for Navya, a French company specializing in self-driving buses. Additionally, EIB has participated in debt financing for companies like Vay and Starship Technologies, which are also involved in autonomous vehicle technology. These transactions highlight EIB's commitment to supporting innovation in the self-driving car sector while aligning with its broader mission of promoting sustainable development.


3. Stellantis

  • Website: stellantis.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2014
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: stellantis-slovakia

Stellantis N.V. is a multinational automotive manufacturer based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2014. The company produces a diverse range of vehicles, including passenger cars and light trucks, and is committed to sustainability and technological advancement. Stellantis has been actively investing in the self-driving car industry, as evidenced by their acquisition of aiMotive, an AI and autonomous driving startup, in November 2022. This acquisition highlights their focus on integrating advanced technologies into their vehicle offerings. In March 2024, Stellantis announced a stake in SteerLight, an optical radar startup, to enhance their sensor capabilities for autonomous vehicle development. Furthermore, Stellantis participated in funding rounds for companies like Envisics, which specializes in holographic head-up display technology, indicating their interest in innovative solutions that complement autonomous driving systems. Overall, Stellantis is positioning itself as a forward-thinking investor in the self-driving car sector.


4. Exor N.V.

  • Website: exor.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 26
  • LinkedIn: exor_2

Exor N.V. is a holding company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2009. It operates across various sectors, including automotive, healthcare, and media, and manages a diverse portfolio of companies such as Ferrari, Stellantis, and Philips. Exor focuses on enhancing value through strategic investments and operational support. Notably, Exor has invested in Wayve, which raised $19.8 million in a Series A funding round in 2020, indicating a commitment to the development of self driving technology. Additionally, Exor has invested in Ultraviolette Automotive, which, while primarily an electric bike manufacturer, is involved in innovative automotive solutions. This involvement in both direct and adjacent sectors of the automotive industry highlights Exor's strategic interest in the future of transportation, including self driving technologies.


5. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)


The 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 by providing funding, expertise, and networking opportunities to enhance business growth. They have been involved in various sectors, including sustainable food and energy. Notably, BOM has made significant investments in companies related to autonomous technology, such as AvL Motion, which raised €1 million to develop an autonomous selective asparagus harvesting robot. This investment highlights BOM's engagement in the self-driving technology space. Additionally, BOM has participated in funding rounds for other innovative companies, such as Lightyear, which focuses on solar-powered vehicles, and IM Efficiency, which aims to enhance solar energy use in transportation. These transactions reflect BOM's commitment to supporting advancements in technology that could intersect with the self-driving car industry.


6. Mutares Benelux

  • Website: mutares.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: mutares-benelux

Mutares Benelux, a private equity firm based in Amsterdam, specializes in acquiring and managing companies in transition across various sectors, including automotive, technology, and retail. Founded in 2021, the firm has quickly established itself with 16 investments in 2024 alone. Notably, Mutares has made strategic acquisitions in the automotive sector, such as Kirchhoff GmbH & Co. KG, a European automotive supplier, which was integrated into Mutares' Automotive & Mobility portfolio. This acquisition highlights Mutares' commitment to enhancing profitability and growth in the automotive industry, which is increasingly focused on self-driving technologies. Other transactions, such as the acquisition of Cimos d.d., further demonstrate Mutares' active role in sectors that intersect with automotive innovation. Overall, Mutares Benelux is positioned to influence the self-driving car landscape through its investments and operational support.


7. M Ventures

  • Website: m-ventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 18
  • LinkedIn: merck-ventures

M Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in investing in transformative ideas within the biotechnology and technology sectors, focusing on startups in healthcare, life sciences, and advanced technology. M Ventures provides funding and strategic guidance to help these startups achieve commercial success. Notably, M Ventures has participated in several transactions relevant to the self-driving car industry. For instance, their investment in MemryX, which is developing in-memory chips for AI applications, highlights their interest in technologies that can be applied in automotive contexts. Furthermore, their involvement in Metalenz, a company that creates high-performance 3D sensing solutions for automotive markets, showcases their commitment to supporting innovations that could enhance self-driving car capabilities. Through these investments, M Ventures demonstrates a strategic focus on advanced technologies that align with the future of transportation.


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 venture capital investment firm based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1980. The firm partners with innovative companies across various sectors, including Consumer, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Smart Industries, and Sustainable Cities. Gimv provides investment management and strategic support to help businesses grow sustainably, primarily targeting entrepreneurial companies seeking capital and expertise to navigate market challenges. Notably, Gimv has made several transactions that could be relevant to the self-driving car industry, such as the acquisition of Luciad, which specializes in geospatial data visualization, and their investment in ARS Traffic & Transport Technology, which focuses on traffic management solutions. Additionally, their acquisition of Smart Battery Solutions GmbH highlights their interest in the battery market, a critical component for electric and autonomous vehicles. These transactions suggest that while Gimv is not exclusively focused on self-driving cars, they are engaged in sectors that could support the development and infrastructure of autonomous vehicle technology.


9. Qbic Fund | Venture Capital

  • Website: qbic.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Ghent, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: qbic

Qbic Fund | Venture Capital is a venture capital fund based in Ghent, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2012. The fund specializes in seed and early-stage investments in innovative companies across various sectors, with a strong emphasis on creating impact through technological breakthroughs. Qbic supports its portfolio companies throughout their growth, focusing on sectors such as biotechnology and technology. Notably, Qbic has been involved in transactions with companies like Sentiance, which raised significant funding to enhance its focus on the Internet of Things, a field that intersects with self-driving car technology. Additionally, their investment in Smartnodes and Unifly indicates a broader interest in technology-driven solutions, which could align with advancements in autonomous vehicles.


10. SHIFT Invest

  • Website: shiftinvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: shift-invest

SHIFT Invest is a venture capital fund based in Amstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in impact investing, targeting innovative enterprises with significant potential for environmental impact. They provide funding and support to early-stage companies across various sectors, including energy transition, smart food & agriculture, and sustainable mobility. In 2023, SHIFT Invest co-led a Series A funding round for OTIV, a Belgium-based AI company focused on autonomous train operations, showcasing their commitment to the self-driving technology sector. In 2024, they participated in a Pre-Seed round for Roboat, a venture likely related to autonomous watercraft, further emphasizing their interest in self-driving technologies. Their mission is to contribute to sustainability by helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses effectively, which aligns with their investments in innovative mobility solutions.


11. Spdg


Société anonyme de Participation et de Gestion (Spdg) is a Brussels-based venture capital firm founded in 1977, focusing on managing investments in sustainable development sectors. The firm supports entrepreneurs by building partnerships and providing investment management services, primarily targeting businesses in energy transition, infrastructure, and transport. In recent years, Spdg has participated in several notable transactions that align with the self-driving car industry. For instance, they invested in Outsight, a pioneer in 3D software based on LiDAR technology, which is essential for autonomous vehicles. Additionally, Spdg has been involved in funding rounds for Ivex, a startup developing safety tools that could enhance the safety of autonomous driving systems. These investments reflect Spdg's engagement with technologies that are relevant to the self-driving car sector, despite their broader focus on sustainable development.


12. 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, founded in 2020, that focuses on financing sustainable and innovative projects in the Netherlands. They support entrepreneurs with promising plans for societal transitions, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. In 2022, Invest-NL participated in a significant funding round for Lightyear, a Dutch solar electric vehicle startup, which raised €81 million to secure production of their solar cars. This investment highlights their commitment to innovative automotive solutions. Additionally, they have invested in companies like E-magy and LeydenJar Technologies, which focus on advanced battery technologies, essential for the future of electric and potentially self driving vehicles. While their primary focus is on sustainability, their involvement in the automotive sector through Lightyear positions them as a relevant player in the self driving car investment landscape.


13. NXP Semiconductors

  • Website: nxp.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2006
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: nxp-semiconductors

NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a leading semiconductor manufacturer based in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in advanced solutions for various applications, including automotive, industrial, mobile, smart city, and smart home technologies. Founded in 2006, NXP has established itself as a significant player in the automotive sector, providing a wide range of products such as microcontrollers and wireless connectivity solutions. In recent years, NXP has made strategic investments and acquisitions to bolster its position in the self-driving car industry. Notably, they acquired TTTech Auto for €625 million, enhancing their capabilities in the software-defined vehicle market. This acquisition leverages TTTech's expertise in safety-critical systems, which are essential for autonomous driving. Additionally, NXP's acquisition of Aviva Links for $242.5 million aims to improve automotive networking solutions, particularly for software-defined vehicles. These transactions highlight NXP's commitment to advancing technologies that support the development of self-driving cars, making them a relevant investor in this space.


14. Finindus

  • Website: finindus.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zelzate, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1926
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: finindus

Finindus is a venture capital firm based in Zelzate, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1926. The firm specializes in providing early-stage and growth financing to innovative technology companies, particularly in the fields of materials, sustainable manufacturing, and industry 4.0. They emphasize proactive and pragmatic assistance to maximize long-term value creation for their portfolio companies. Notably, Finindus co-led a Series A funding round for OTIV, a Belgium-based AI company focused on autonomous train operations, indicating their engagement in the self-driving technology space. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for other technology companies, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative solutions that may intersect with the self-driving car industry.


15. Ingka Investments

  • Website: ingka.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: ingka-investments

Ingka Investments, a corporate investor based in Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands, is part of the Ingka Group, which operates IKEA stores and shopping centers globally. Founded in 2018, the firm focuses on long-term growth and sustainability through strategic investments. Notably, Ingka Investments has made significant strides in the self-driving car context, including a Series B investment in Waabi, a company dedicated to developing autonomous driving technology, raising over $200 million in June 2024. Furthermore, they have invested in DST Car, a Chinese electric vehicle leasing company, and DST, a logistics electric vehicle operations platform, showcasing their commitment to the evolving landscape of transportation and logistics. These investments reflect Ingka's strategy to integrate innovative technologies that align with their business model and sustainability goals.


16. Alpha Intelligence Capital


Alpha Intelligence Capital is a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in investing in AI-first companies, providing funding and strategic guidance to startups in the artificial intelligence and machine learning sectors. Their focus on deep technology investments positions them as a key player in the AI landscape. Notable transactions include participation in funding rounds for companies like Advanced Navigation, which is an AI leader, and InstaDeep, an enterprise AI startup. Although these companies do not directly relate to self-driving cars, their work in AI and machine learning is foundational for the development of autonomous vehicle technologies. This strategic focus on AI aligns with the needs of the self-driving car industry, making Alpha Intelligence Capital a relevant player in this sector.


17. Prime Ventures (VC)


Prime Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 1999. The firm specializes in backing technology leaders across Europe, providing funding and strategic support to startups and technology companies to help them scale their operations. Notably, Prime Ventures participated in a Series C funding round for AImotive, which raised $38 million to advance its autonomous driving systems. This investment highlights their engagement in the self driving car industry. Additionally, they have invested in various technology companies, showcasing their commitment to innovation and growth in the tech sector.


18. imec

  • Website: imec-int.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1984
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: imec

imec is a not-for-profit research and development organization based in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1984. It specializes in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, providing advanced semiconductor R&D, foundry services, and support for startups and education. imec's clientele includes technology and automotive companies seeking innovative solutions for next-generation products. Notably, imec has participated in funding rounds for companies like OTIV, which focuses on AI for autonomous train operations, and has been involved in projects that enhance computer vision systems, which are essential for self-driving cars. Their recent investments also include support for startups like Axelera AI and MICLEDI Microdisplays, indicating a broader interest in technologies that could impact the automotive sector.


19. Cipio Partners

  • Website: cipiopartners.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: cipio-partners

Cipio Partners is a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2003, specializing in European growth capital and minority buyouts for technology companies. They provide financial support and strategic guidance to help businesses scale and prepare for liquidity events. Their focus is primarily on technology firms with proven business models and significant revenue, particularly in the software and B2B sectors. Notably, Cipio Partners has invested in Silicon Mobility, which raised $10M in Series B funding to scale its semiconductor technology for smart mobility, highlighting their engagement in the automotive technology landscape. This investment, along with their history of supporting technology-driven companies, positions them as a relevant player in the self-driving car investment arena.



Self Driving Car Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
StellantisAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands10001+20147
Exor N.V.Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200926
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands51-200198310
Mutares BeneluxAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202116
M VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200918
GimvAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20019808
Qbic Fund | Venture CapitalGhent, Flanders, Belgium1-1020125
SHIFT InvestAmstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020094
SpdgBrussels, Brussels, Belgium11-5019770
Invest-NLAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202017
NXP SemiconductorsEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands10001+20061
FinindusZelzate, Flanders, Belgium1-1019266
Ingka InvestmentsLeiden, South Holland, Netherlands51-20020184
Alpha Intelligence CapitalLuxembourg11-5020186
Prime Ventures (VC)Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019990
imecLeuven, Flanders, Belgium5001-1000019841
Cipio PartnersLuxembourg11-5020032


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