Backing early-stage founders has more to do with experience than just money. It’s about understanding moments in the startup lifecycle when you’re high on ideas but low on results to show potential investors. That’s exactly where Dutch VC firm Volve Capital aims to stand out. Recently, this Amsterdam-based venture capital company, founded in 2022 by Joost Bijlsma and Maurits Hovius, announced the final close of their debut fund. Valued at €9 million, this fund is committed to supporting founders at the earliest point in their journeys, at “day zero.”
A "Day Zero" Support System
Volve Capital doesn’t wait for founders to develop a prototype or secure initial customers. Instead, they’ve positioned themselves to invest during the pre-product and pre-revenue phase, targeting entrepreneurs across the Benelux and DACH regions. What sets them apart is their readiness to take the lead in these early deals while providing operational support.
Joost Bijlsma, co-founder of Volve Capital, shared, “Going from zero to one is the hardest step, I’ve lived it. We want to be the right partner at that critical early moment, offering not just funds but also hands-on support.”
Investments will be made in ticket sizes ranging from €150,000 to €500,000, with follow-on capacities extending up to €1 million per startup. Their goal? Build a portfolio of up to 15 companies in sectors where they feel they can add substantial expertise.
Who Is Backing Volve Capital?
What caught my eye as I dug deeper was the diversity of Volve Capital’s network of Limited Partners. Nearly 30 Dutch entrepreneurs, who themselves understand the ups and downs of building businesses, stepped forward to support this fund. These names include prominent figures like Henk Jan Beltman of Tony’s Chocolonely and Heleen Dura van Oord from Peak Capital.
Additionally, Volve secured government backing through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency's RVO Seed Capital program.
It’s clear that Volve’s backers align with their vision of supporting founders at a stage where big risks dominate, but so do big dreams. The involvement of seasoned entrepreneurs as LPs suggests a reinvestment cycle where experienced professionals guide and empower the next generation.
Meet The Portfolio
Seven companies have already secured funding through Volve Capital. Here are some notable segments they’re shaping so far:
- Eddygrid: Pioneering energy solutions.
- NOX Energy: Another venture set in the energy tech market.
- Stippl: Potentially innovating in travel or route optimization.
- Conservio, Whisper, Twindo, and Supplied: Diverse startups spanning various industries.
While information on these startups remains limited, Volve Capital’s pattern suggests a focus on emerging verticals where creative and practical ideas need operational support and early belief.
How Does This Impact European Startups?
As a serial entrepreneur, I know that securing your first investor is more than just a financial commitment. It’s also a psychological lift that keeps you going. Many institutional VCs hesitate to fund startups during the "uncertain" period between an idea and traction. What Volve Capital is doing bears relevance for a large part of the European startup ecosystem, especially in regions like Benelux and DACH, where early-stage funding can be sporadic.
More funds targeting the zero-to-one phase have emerged, but founders often still struggle to find backing pre-traction. With Volve Capital stepping in at this critical juncture, it fills one of the most challenging funding gaps for startup founders.
A Roadmap for Aspiring Founders
If you're navigating your "day zero" moment, here are practical ways to position yourself for funds like Volve Capital:
- Vision Over Traction: Focus on showing a clear, well-thought-out roadmap for where your product will go, even if you haven't started generating income yet.
- Strong Founding Team: Investors at this stage care deeply about the people behind the idea. Build or join a team that complements each other.
- Transparency: Be upfront about what you don’t know and how you plan to close those gaps.
- Engage Early: Reach out to funds like Volve while still in the ideation phase. Some of them are open to brainstorming alongside founders early on.
Success at the first stage often depends not just on your idea but also on how well you can get others to believe in your vision.
Overcoming Common Obstacles
Even with experienced backers like Volve Capital in the mix, there are obstacles early-stage startups face. Here are the biggest ones, along with ways to address them:
- Misaligned Expectations: Founders might expect immediate heavy involvement or quicker results from investors. Make sure to set clear expectations on both sides at the start.
- Pitches Without Specific Details: Vague pitches without distinct next steps will likely fail to engage firms like Volve Capital. Show how funds will be allocated toward achieving milestones.
- Not Enough Networking: Failing to leverage the network your investor brings may leave further rounds harder to reach. Actively seek introductions they can make for you.
Bigger Trends to Watch
Volve Capital’s "day zero" focus is part of a growing European trend of founder-led venture capital. Internationally, similar funds like Antler (focusing on pre-seed) and smaller early-stage initiatives across Europe have been gaining traction. German VC activity in 2025, for instance, saw funds like Smart Infrastructure Ventures launch with €30 million targeting early-stage B2B software deals.
This signals an emerging cycle where experienced entrepreneurs back beginner founders. The rising availability of small-ticket funding for very early stages suggests startup ecosystems like Europe’s are maturing.
Closing Thoughts
There’s something reassuring about seeing founders step up to back other founders. Volve Capital isn’t just throwing money at a problem, it’s lending faith and expertise at a point most people look the other way.
If you’re building the next Eddygrid or Whisper and standing at “day zero” without a blueprint for growth, funds like Volve Capital could be your shot at turning concepts into businesses. Keep an eye on how they shape their portfolio, because it will likely inspire a new wave of startups unlocking opportunities in Europe’s evolving ecosystem.
Stay connected, stay resourceful, and always stay curious as you build forward from day zero.
FAQ
1. What is Volve Capital, and what differentiates it from other VC firms?
Volve Capital is an Amsterdam-based venture capital firm founded in 2022, focusing on backing startups at "day zero", before they have traction, a product prototype, or revenue. It provides not just funding but operational support to founders from the very beginning. Learn more about Volve Capital
2. What regions does Volve Capital target for its investments?
Volve Capital specifically focuses on startups in the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) and DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) regions, addressing early-stage funding gaps. Check out Volve Capital’s regional focus
3. Who are the founders of Volve Capital?
Joost Bijlsma and Maurits Hovius, both experienced entrepreneurs and investors, founded Volve Capital in 2022 to support early-stage startups. Meet Joost Bijlsma and Maurits Hovius
4. What types of startups do Volve Capital invest in?
The fund focuses on investing in startups during the pre-product and pre-revenue stage, particularly in sectors where the founders can provide hands-on operational expertise. Discover Volve Capital’s investment strategy
5. What is the size and structure of Volve Capital Fund I?
The fund closed at €9 million with ticket sizes ranging from €150,000 to €500,000 for initial investments and up to €1 million in follow-on capacity per startup. Learn more about Volve Capital Fund I
6. Who are the prominent supporters of Volve Capital?
Approximately 30 Dutch entrepreneurs, including Henk Jan Beltman (Tony’s Chocolonely) and Heleen Dura van Oord (Peak Capital), as well as Netherlands Enterprise Agency’s RVO Seed Capital program, support Volve Capital. Explore Volve Capital’s backers
7. What startups have Volve Capital already invested in?
Volve Capital has already invested in seven startups, including Eddygrid, NOX Energy, Stippl, Conservio, Whisper, Twindo, and Supplied. Learn about Volve Capital’s portfolio
8. How does Volve Capital define its investment philosophy?
Co-founder Joost Bijlsma highlights the firm’s belief in investing "day zero" founders, providing not just funds, but also hands-on support to bridge critical early-stage gaps in operational expertise. Dive into Volve Capital’s philosophy
9. What is the relevance of Volve Capital’s approach for European startups?
Volve Capital addresses a critical funding gap for early-stage startups in Europe, particularly in Benelux and DACH regions, helping founders jumpstart their ventures without requiring initial traction. Understand what Volve Capital brings to Europe
10. What challenges does Volve Capital help founders overcome?
By investing before traction, Volve Capital integrates early operational support to help founders refine their strategies, navigate uncertainties, and set achievable milestones to secure subsequent funding rounds. See how Volve Capital supports founders
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.