The UvA Fund plays an active role in raising donations for start-ups. Since their launch in 2021, the Pre-Seed Fund and the Graduate Seed Fund have raised and invested tens of millions of euros in technology-driven start-ups in areas such as deep tech, health tech, climate tech and digital tech. More than eighty start-ups have already been supported with funding, coaching and access to a network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors and experts. 

The Pre-Seed Fund supports early-stage entrepreneurs at a crucial initial phase with a first investment, guidance and access to an engaged alumni network. The fund is a non-profit, evergreen fund that is built entirely on donations from alumni and entrepreneurs. Returns from earlier investments are channelled back into the fund and reinvested in future generations of entrepreneurs. In this way, a sustainable cycle of learn, earn & return is created. 

'With our participation in Graduate, the UvA Fund demonstrates that it invests not only in excellent research, but also in the talented new generation of entrepreneurs emerging from it,' says chair Adriaan Krans. Through the UvA Fund, alumni, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders can contribute to Graduate Ventures and help innovative start-ups grow into enterprises with societal impact — in Amsterdam, across the Netherlands and beyond.