We are so excited to announce the launch of our new fund: Rockstart Emerging Tech. Backing early stage emerging technology startups, this new fund supports solutions that tackle urgent societal problems through tech-enabled solutions. Targeting a close at €30m, Rockstart Emerging Tech plans to invest in up to 50 startups over the next 10 years. This fund is backed by Vækstfonden (the Danish Sovereign Wealth Fund), the family office De Hoge Dennen, several tech entrepreneurs, Rockstart alumni founders, and other informal investors.
“The Rockstart Emerging Tech fund will be investing in technology startups with a purpose-driven agenda to maximize impact in the future. Rockstart has the experience and track record of supporting tech founders to scale locally, regionally, and globally and providing access to market and capital partners at all stages. With Rockstart Emerging Tech, we are expanding on the strategy we set out in 2012.” – Rune Theill, CEO and Co-Founder, Rockstart
“There is a great need for talented and passionate startup teams to solve today’s important challenges. With the new Rockstart Emerging Tech fund, we expand the areas in which Rockstart can support such founders and teams in their endeavors to craft and scale businesses. We aim to establish close ties with the entrepreneurs we invest in – all the way from our pre-seed investment and the acceleration program and onwards to co-investments up to potential Series B rounds.We are very proud of the investors backing us to launch this fund and of the continued trust organizations such as Vækstfonden and De Hoge Dennen placed in Rockstart enabling us to deliver on our mission.” – Michael Bjørnlund, Managing Partner Emerging Tech, Rockstart
The first investments from Rockstart Emerging Tech have already been selected, having started the Rockstart accelerator program at the end of August. The Rockstart programs are domain-focused, tailor-made programs designed to rapidly take early stage startups from MVP to scaling. The programs run twice per year, in spring and fall. After the program, Rockstart continues to co-invest in its portfolio companies and can participate up to Series B rounds.
Rockstart Emerging Tech is focused primarily on segments such as Industry 4.0 & Advanced Analytics, Smart Societies, Digital Health, Data Privacy/Security, and more general applications proposing solutions for positive change. In terms of specific technologies, Rockstart Emerging Tech is looking to invest in software startups innovating in ML/AI, Computer Vision, web3 & blockchain, IoT & Edge Computing, Biometrics, Geospatial tech, and Additive Manufacturing.
Is your startup the right fit? Apply to Rockstart Emerging Tech via the website at rockstart.com/emerging-tech.