Amsterdam, 20 September 2018 – Holland Venture closed a new healthcare innovation fund which will invest in approx. 10 Dutch healthcare start-ups, active in the field of medical devices, diagnostics and digital health. The aim of the fund is to support entrepreneurs (internationally) grow their business by providing capital and hands-on support. The 14-million-euro fund aims not only to achieve financial returns but also stimulates start-ups to improve care and reduce costs.

Active investment strategy

The new Holland Venture Healthcare Fund II (HVZI II) builds on the network, knowledge, experience, and deal flow of Holland Venture’s first healthcare innovation fund. With HVZI II, Holland Venture provides growth capital to promising Dutch entrepreneurs in the healthcare market. The fund will build a portfolio of approx. 10 investments within the market segments of medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health. HVZI II receives support from the Seed Capital regulation, an incentive scheme of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

Jan-Frens van Giessel, Investment director at Holland Venture: ‘I see many opportunities in the Dutch market to improve the quality of care through healthcare innovations and to limit the growth of healthcare costs. To realize a long-term impact on healthcare, a combination of technology, knowledge of healthcare processes, implementation power and, above all, perseverance is crucial. With HVZI II we invest in entrepreneurs who have shown that they have this combination and who are eager to take the next step. I’m grateful for the ongoing support of our financiers and their active participation that helps further grow our portfolio companies.

Ewout Prins, managing partner by Holland Venture adds to that: The closing of the second Healthcare Innovation Fund is an important milestone for Holland Venture to further strengthen her position as an active hands-on investor in the Dutch healthcare market. With the arrival of Jan-Frens van Giessel at the beginning of this year, the team of Holland Venture has been further strengthened in the field of healthcare innovation. We are well positioned to optimally support the innovative companies in achieving their growth ambitions.

First investment in epilepsy detection
Immediately after the closing of the new fund, Holland venture has realised its first investment in LivAssured. LivAssured developed the NightWatch in collaboration with neurologists and the epilepsy association. The NightWatch detects heavy nocturnal epileptic seizures and can remotely notify caregivers. Holland Venture previously supported nine other innovative healthcare entrepreneurs with growth capital, including MedAngel, Ventinova, and Quantib.

Extensive experience and network in Healthcare
Holland Venture has been active within the healthcare sector for many years, has a large network, extensive venture capital experience, and extensive healthcare related knowledge & expertise. This combination of knowledge and experience is used to actively support the portfolio companies to actually improve healthcare, make healthcare more affordable, and to help the entrepreneurs to achieve their growth ambitions.

About Holland Venture
Over the past 35 years, Holland Venture has invested in more than 130 Dutch SMEs in a responsible and successful manner. With a clear investment strategy, Holland Venture is active in the growth markets of both healthcare and technology. The experienced and involved investment team knows what entrepreneurship is like. With the joint goal of achieving growth, Holland Venture strives for an open, sustainable and professional relationship with the management teams of the companies in which she invests. Holland Venture is supported by a broad network of successful healthcare and technology entrepreneurs.