Curiosity VC is an Amsterdam-based venture capital firm founded in 2021 by Herman Kienhuis and Maurice Beckand Verwée. The firm specializes in pre-seed and seed investments in European AI-native software companies, with a thesis centered on vertical and applied AI, backing founders who combine deep industry expertise with AI-first product thinking to displace legacy software providers in specific, high-value verticals. Curiosity operates a community-driven model in which backed entrepreneurs and advisors share in carried interest profits, aligning incentives across the ecosystem. The firm has also pledged 10% of carried interest to the Curiosity Foundation, which supports entrepreneurship among underrepresented groups.
Curiosity backs pre-seed and seed stage European companies building vertical AI and agentic software across fintech, legaltech, real estate, energy, manufacturing, cybersecurity, marketing and sales automation, and enterprise software.
The firm's primary focus is the Benelux, Nordics, and Baltics, with selective co-investments in other European hubs including London, Berlin, and Paris.
It targets founders with deep domain knowledge in their vertical who are building AI-native products.
Curiosity Fund II announced a first close of ~$19M USD (€17M) on June 9, 2026, targeting a final close of ~$33–44M USD (€30–40M) later in 2026.
The fund is backed by 44 private investors, predominantly successful entrepreneurs and family offices, as well as the Dutch government through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) Seed Capital arrangement, which provides matching funding for Dutch investments alongside private commitments.
Fund II builds on Fund I, which backed 23 early-stage AI startups and achieved combined follow-on raises of over ~$93M USD (€84M) across 10 portfolio companies. Combined AUM across Fund I and Fund II stands at ~$55M USD (€50M).
Leadership
Herman Kienhuis is Co-Founder and Managing Partner, leading investment strategy and portfolio development. He is a former operator and investor with a background in digital marketing and enterprise software, and has been a central figure in the Netherlands tech and AI ecosystem.
Maurice Beckand Verwée is Co-Founder and Managing Partner, bringing prior investing experience from Crosspring, where he backed early-stage technology companies across Europe.
Investment Strategy
Curiosity invests at pre-seed and seed with early, high-conviction checks into vertical AI founders. The firm takes a community-driven approach: portfolio founders and advisors receive carried interest participation, creating an aligned network that actively supports new investments. Post-investment support focuses on helping founders expand internationally, particularly into European markets outside their home country.
The firm targets companies building on European terms, prioritizing data sovereignty, GDPR compliance, and EU AI Act alignment as competitive advantages rather than constraints.
Notable Investments
hello@curiosityvc.com
Herman Kienhuis — Co-Founder & Managing Partner
herman@curiosityvc.com
Maurice Beckand Verwée — Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Netherlands
