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UvA signs letter of intent to collaborate with Graduate Ventures

13 mei 2026

Together with VU, Amsterdam UMC and AUF, the University of Amsterdam has signed a letter of intent stating our intention to collaborate with the venture fund Graduate Ventures. When young entrepreneurs—students, staff and alumni—want to start a business, they can turn to this fund. By signing the letter of intent, we are jointly investing in a vibrant Amsterdam entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Together with representatives of Amsterdam UMC and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Vice-Chair Richard Goldstein signed the agreement on behalf of the University of Amsterdam. (photo: Brian Lubking)
Together with representatives of Amsterdam UMC and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Vice-Chair Richard Goldstein signed the agreement on behalf of the University of Amsterdam. (photo: Brian Lubking)
“Our researchers and students have strong, promising ideas. Graduate gives them an extra springboard with matching ambition: not only funding, but also the experience of mentors who have been through this journey themselves,” says Richard Goldstein, Vice-President of the Executive Board of the University of Amsterdam. “That combination makes Graduate Ventures a valuable partner for us in this collaboration.”

About Graduate Ventures

Set up by leading Dutch entrepreneurs, the fund Graduate Ventures has been investing in start-ups and scale-ups since 2021. In addition to financial support, entrepreneurs gain access to the network and experience of more than 200 alumni entrepreneurs. The collaboration enables students and researchers to give their business a flying start or to grow under expert guidance. Alongside a professional investment team, Graduate also works with student teams responsible for identifying and pitching promising ideas; from September 2026 these teams will be active not only at VU and Amsterdam UMC, but also at the UvA.
ASIF Ventures, the Amsterdam student start-up fund, will become part of Graduate.

Role of the UvA Fund

Together with other university funds, the UvA Fund plays an important role in establishing the nearly €10 million pre-seed fund. The pre-seed fund consists entirely of donations from successful alumni and entrepreneurs raised via the affiliated university funds. Largely the same investors are participating in the first for-profit seed fund of €50 million. The new second seed fund will amount to €80 million. Last year, Sifted, the Financial Times’ start-up publication, named Graduate Ventures one of the most active investors in Europe.