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Rockstart

Startup Accelerator and Venture Capital
Rockstart
Leadership team

Rune Theill (Founder)

Don Ritzen (Founder)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Established
2011
Social Media
Summary

Rockstart is a startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The company offers acceleration programs for startups in a variety of sectors, including technology, energy, health, and food. These programs provide startups with funding, mentorship, and workspace for a period of several months.

In addition to its accelerator programs, Rockstart also operates a venture capital fund that invests in early-stage startups. The fund has invested in several promising startups across various sectors.

Since its founding in 2011, Rockstart has supported over 200 startups from around the world. The company has raised several rounds of funding from investors, including Dutch venture capital firm henQ and the European Investment Fund.

Rockstart's focus on providing startups with the resources and mentorship they need to succeed has helped many early-stage companies to grow and scale their businesses. The company's expertise and experience in the startup ecosystem have made it a prominent player in the European startup community.

History

Rockstart is a startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The company was founded in 2011 by Rune Theill and Don Ritzen. The idea for Rockstart was born out of the founders' frustration with the lack of support for startups in the Netherlands at the time. They wanted to create a program that would provide startups with the resources and mentorship they needed to succeed.

In its early years, Rockstart focused primarily on providing acceleration programs for startups in the technology and web industries. The company's first program, Rockstart Accelerator, launched in 2012 and provided startups with funding, mentorship, and workspace for a period of six months. Over the years, Rockstart has expanded its programs to include verticals such as energy, health, and food.

Since its founding, Rockstart has supported over 200 startups from around the world. The company has also raised several rounds of funding from investors, including Dutch venture capital firm henQ and the European Investment Fund.

In addition to its accelerator programs, Rockstart also operates a venture capital fund that invests in early-stage startups. The fund has invested in several promising startups, including peer-to-peer car-sharing platform SnappCar and sustainable fashion brand Unrobe.

Overall, Rockstart has established itself as a prominent player in the European startup ecosystem. The company's focus on providing startups with the resources and mentorship they need to succeed has helped many early-stage companies to grow and scale their businesses.

Investment criteria

Rockstart's investment criteria vary depending on the specific program or fund. However, there are some general guidelines that the company follows when evaluating startups for investment.

For its accelerator programs, Rockstart typically looks for early-stage startups that have a minimum viable product (MVP) or prototype, and are ready to scale their business. The company also looks for startups that have a clear market opportunity and a strong team with complementary skills.

For its venture capital fund, Rockstart invests in early-stage startups with a focus on technology and sustainability. The fund typically invests in companies that have a minimum viable product, traction in the market, and a scalable business model. The company also looks for startups with a clear value proposition and a strong team that can execute on their business plan.

Rockstart's investment criteria are designed to identify startups with high growth potential and the ability to scale their businesses. The company's expertise and experience in the startup ecosystem allow it to identify promising startups and provide them with the resources and mentorship they need to succeed.

Values
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit: Rockstart believes in the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change and transform industries. The company fosters an environment of innovation and risk-taking, encouraging its startups to think big and take bold steps to achieve their goals.
  • Community: Rockstart places a strong emphasis on building a supportive community of founders, mentors, investors, and industry experts. The company recognizes that startups thrive when they have access to a diverse network of resources and support.
  • Impact: Rockstart is committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment. The company looks for startups that are focused on creating solutions to some of the world's biggest challenges, such as climate change and healthcare access.
  • Excellence: Rockstart strives for excellence in all of its operations and interactions. The company is committed to providing the highest level of support and mentorship to its startups, and to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Rockstart values diversity and inclusion and believes that startups benefit from having a variety of perspectives and experiences. The company is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all startups and team members feel valued and supported.
Mission

Rockstart's mission “is to empower the best startups to change the world.” The company believes in the power of entrepreneurship to drive innovation and create positive change in society. By providing startups with the resources, mentorship, and support they need to succeed, Rockstart aims to help them scale their businesses and make a meaningful impact on their industries.

The company's mission is reflected in its commitment to supporting startups that are focused on solving some of the world's biggest challenges, such as climate change, healthcare access, and sustainability. By working with startups in these areas, Rockstart aims to help drive positive change and create a more sustainable future.

Portfolio

Rockstart has a diverse portfolio of startups across several industries, including health, energy, food, and agriculture. Here are a few examples of the startups that Rockstart has worked with:

  • Felyx: Felyx is a mobility startup that provides electric scooter-sharing services in cities across Europe. The company aims to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution by providing a convenient and sustainable transportation option.
  • Solar Monkey: Solar Monkey is a software company that uses artificial intelligence to optimize the performance of solar panels. The company's software helps solar panel owners increase their energy output and reduce their costs.
  • Kheiron Medical: Kheiron Medical is a health-tech startup that uses artificial intelligence to improve breast cancer detection. The company's AI software helps radiologists analyze mammograms and identify potential cancer cases earlier, improving patient outcomes.
  • Cargoplot: Cargoplot is a logistics startup that provides real-time supply chain optimization services to shippers and carriers. The company's platform helps companies reduce transportation costs and increase efficiency.
  • Castor EDC: Castor EDC is a healthcare technology company that provides a cloud-based electronic data capture (EDC) platform for clinical trials. The platform helps researchers manage their data more efficiently and accelerate the drug development process.
References
Rockstart
Leadership team

Rune Theill (Founder)

Don Ritzen (Founder)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Established
2011
Social Media