The DOEN Foundation has acquired a minority share in startup accelerator program Rockstart, headquartered in Amsterdam. The so-called strategic partnership is aimed at expanding the program abroad.
Although financial details weren’t disclosed, an investment of ‘several millions of euro’s’ is estimated within the startup scene. The accelerator wishes to grow its team and will start programs in Singapore and Bogota soon.
“This partnership comes at a particularly momentous time”, Oscar Kneppers, founder of Rockstart says. This week Rockstart celebrates its fifth birthday. “DOEN’s investment allows us to continue to focus on international expansion and supporting founders across the world.”
Goals
DOEN CFO Jasper Snoek sees collaboration as an opportunity to fulfill the foundations goals of working with entrepreneurs who address global problems.
Rockstart was founded in 2010 by serial entrepreneur Kneppers, in 2011 joined by Don Ritzen, Rune Theill and Koen Wagemakers to launch the first Rockstart Accelerator in 2012. The program has accelerated 78 startups in 8 programs in several domains.
To date, the organisation claims over 78 percent of Rockstart alumni (including 3D Hubs and Peerby) have attracted over 33 million euro in funding.