Here's our weekly recap on what you need to know about the startup scene in The Netherlands.

News & Updates

Social Impact Ventures raised 40 million euro from ASN Venture Capital and ASR Nederland to fund SMEs that tackle social issues.

Communications provider CM has bought Watermelon's tech. The startup filed for bankruptcy after a fight with Facebook/Whatsapp. Former Watermelon CTO Daan Gönning will join CM.

Dutch bitcoin startup Blocktrail last month has been acquired by bitcoin mining hardware company Bitmain from China. The Amsterdam-based startup offers bitcoin wallets and an analytics platform, among others.

Nick Bortot (BUX), Martijn Nijhuis (Roamler) and Hans Ober (Ticketswap) are nominated for the LOEY Talent Award, an award for the most inspiring online entrepreneur in The Netherlands.

Funding

Amsterdam-based Crobox, a startup specialized in conversion rate optimization in e-commerce, raised a 1.1 million euro seed investment round led by Dutch VC Keadyn.

Utrecht-based Qwiksense received 400.000 euro in growth capital. The startup aims to create healthier offices by measuring energy usage and indoor air quality.

The Amsterdam Climate & Energy Fund (AKEF) and other strategic investors invested 2.1 million euro in Urbee, an Amsterdam network of e-bikes. AKEF earlier this year invested in Vandebron.

Morning read

Neelie Kroes' startup ambassadorship may be over, but that doesn't withhold her to speak out on startups, female entrepreneurship and the Digital Agenda… again. (Forbes)

Ouch… learn to spot these 12 red flags when working for shady CEOs in Silicon Valley (Medium)

Growth hacking isn't about finding a crazy FB ads loophole for cheap. Startup clients need to realize growth doesn't happen overnight (Medium)

Image: Skeeze @ Pixabay