The Hague-based 4impact Capital closes €68 million fund II to drive digital innovation and sustainability | EU-Startups

4impact Capital, a Dutch-based venture capital firm, has announced the close of its second fund, raising €68 million. This SFDR Article 9 fund is focused on early-stage digital and sustainability startups in North-Western Europe, supporting companies with scalable solutions for global challenges alongside strong financial returns.

Since the launch of its first fund in 2019, 4impact Capital has pursued a vision of catalyzing sustainable change by merging technological advancement with measurable, positive impact. The firm’s team draws from diverse backgrounds, including Goldman Sachs, Mubadala, and Citi, and is bolstered by seven venture partners across Europe and the U.S. Fund II has already backed six ventures, among them Coolgradient, Deftpower, and Carbonfuture, with each addressing critical issues like energy efficiency, grid optimization through EV batteries, and high-quality carbon removal solutions.

“We are a complementary and diverse team committed to working closely with our portfolio companies. We don’t just invest – we partner with them, providing the support needed to fuel their growth and success. What drives us is the opportunity to catalyse positive change, and we are excited to help shape the businesses of the future,” said 4impact founding partner Pauline Wink.

Founding partner Ali Najafbagy added: “We are very grateful to our investors who back us to support visionary entrepreneurs who are working hard on making our planet future-proof through technology enablement. Our tech focus areas are remote sensing, AI and big data, and emerging technologies such as blockchain. Through these digital technologies we can help solve parts of labour shortage and contribute to a sustainable and competitive Europe and beyond.”

Investors in Fund II include notable supporters such as Invest-NL, the European Investment Fund (EIF), and Oost NL, underscoring confidence in 4impact’s mission. Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive of the EIF, remarked, “In tackling the innovation financing gap, we have to do all we can to support innovative small businesses so that they can both startup in Europe but also stay and grow in Europe. 4impact Capital’s mission to empower startups with transformative potential aligns with this EIF objective to support innovation while generating social and environmental value. Funds like these have the potential to make a significant impact on Europe’s sustainable future.”

Jellie Banga, Member of the Executive Board of Invest-NL, highlighted the collaboration, stating: “Invest-NL’s additional investment in 4impact, as part of the Dutch Future Fund initiative, highlights our strong partnership with the EIF. Our combined ticket resulted in a successful final closing, providing increased capital to support impactful ventures.”

Looking ahead, 4impact plans to invest in around 25 companies at the Seed and Series A stages, emphasizing sectors that integrate digitization and sustainability, especially in Benelux, DACH, and the Nordics. As partner Victor Straatman noted: “With new capital and the backing of our venture partners – who bring leadership experience from companies like Tesla, Apple, and Dept – we’re stepping into an exciting phase for impact-driven founders. The acceleration of AI presents not just opportunities, but responsibilities. How can we leverage AI for good – e.g. using predictive analytics to reduce emissions and foster a more sustainable society? The time to act is now, and we’re here to support those bold enough to take on this challenge.”