DFF Ventures, formerly known as Dutch Founders Fund, is an Amsterdam-based venture capital firm launched in 2019 to back early-stage startups building digital solutions for traditionally underdigitized industries. The firm has grown a portfolio of 40 startups across 14 countries, positioning itself as a founder-first investor with a strong hands-on approach.
The firm invests in early-stage companies that transform analogue industries through vertical AI, recommerce platforms, marketplaces, niche SaaS, and tech-enabled services.
DFF prioritizes industries where digital adoption has historically lagged but where software and AI now present large-scale opportunities.
In September 2025, DFF Ventures raised 50 million euros for its Fund III, with a hard close of 60 million euros expected in early 2026.
The fund will continue DFF’s strategy of investing in pre-seed and seed-stage startups worldwide, with an emphasis on vertical AI, recommerce, and marketplaces. Typical ticket sizes range between 250,000 and 2.5 million euros.
DFF views the current environment as one where AI has lowered barriers to building prototypes but raised the bar on distribution, making speed and market entry essential for success.
Leadership
The leadership team at DFF Ventures includes Bas Rieter and partners who collectively bring extensive entrepreneurial and venture experience. Their founder-first philosophy is core to the firm’s brand and drives their approach to pre-product and early-stage investing.
Investment Strategy
DFF Ventures aims to back founders who can move quickly, carve out a defensible wedge into their markets, and scale enduring businesses.
The firm invests early, often before a product is fully built, and supports founders with operational expertise and distribution strategies. Its focus is on digital-first solutions that modernize analogue industries and create new market efficiencies.
Notable Investments
The firm has built a diverse portfolio across Europe and beyond, including:
These investments reflect its broad thematic interest in marketplaces, SaaS, and recommerce solutions.
Notable Exits
As of now, DFF Ventures has not highlighted significant exits, with its portfolio still maturing.
Other
DFF Ventures emphasizes its willingness to take risks at the earliest stages, including pre-product investments, making it a particularly relevant partner for ambitious founders in underdigitized industries.
