€70 million close for Rubio Impact Ventures’ third fund reinforces its 100% impact-tied investment approach
Rubio Impact Ventures, an impact venture capital firm out of Amsterdam, announces this morning that they have raised over €70 million in commitments for its third impact fund – aiming to invest in thirty companies tackling the climate crisis and social inequality.
The third fund is supported by many existing as well as new investors, including a large group of successful Dutch entrepreneurs and families, and institutional partners such as the European Investment Fund (EIF), Invest-NL, Oost NL, Brabantse Ontwikkelings maatschappij, ING and NN Social Innovation Fund. RVO has once again provided an innovation loan under the Seed Capital scheme.
Machtelt Groothuis, Co-founder of Rubio: “In an era of accelerating climate change and social challenges, the most valuable companies of the future are the ones building real solutions for global problems. The launch of our third fund reflects that the impact investing model is recognised, the opportunity is clear, and the urgency has never been greater.”
This announcement fits into a wider 2025 trend of renewed activity in impact and sustainability-focused venture capital across Europe.
In the Netherlands, CapitalT announced the first close of a €50 million Fund II, targeting purpose-driven Founders in ClimateTech and the future of work. Across southern Europe, Suma Capital closed a €210 million ClimateTech fund, focusing on industrial decarbonisation and scale-up support.
Together, these developments highlight that even as European venture fundraising faces headwinds, impact-driven funds are maintaining investor confidence and channeling capital towards climate and social innovation.
For Rinke Zonneveld, CEO of Invest-NL, it was a “no-brainer” to invest in Rubio’s new fund: “Rubio is leading the pack in the Dutch impact investing scene. They didn’t just set the standard, they created it. Especially how they don’t just talk climate but tackle social issues head-on is inspiring others and convincing institutional investors to enter this space.”
Founded in 2015, Rubio invests in early and growth-stage companies creating scalable solutions for urgent global challenges, from climate and circularity to education and well-being. The firm links 100% of its carried interest to independently verified impact results, aiming to ensure that financial success and positive impact go hand in hand.
With the launch of this third fund, Rubio’s total AUM will rise to €220 million. This continues the firm’s mission to help scale entrepreneurs who combine impact and returns.
Since its founding, Rubio has backed over forty fast-growing companies turning ideas into measurable change.
This portfolio includes companies like:
- Sympower (enabling grid flexibility for the transition torenewable energy)
- NoPalm Ingredients (protecting rainforests with circular palm oil alternatives)
- OpenUp (increasing access to qualified mental healthcare support)
Aartjan Bontje from family office FlowFund Foundation, who has backed all three funds says: “From Fund I to today, I’ve seen Rubio deliver on their promise: building successful companies while creating measurable impact. This third fund is proof that the movement towards impact is accelerating, and exactly the kind of shift the world needs.”
EU-Startups has previously featured Rubio Impact Ventures across multiple funding stories highlighting its role as a leading Dutch impact investor.
In April 2024, Rubio led a €3 million round for Amsterdam-based Renewaball to reduce the environmental footprint of sports equipment. The firm also backed NoPalm Ingredients in July 2024, supporting the scale-up of its sustainable palm-oil alternative. In 2025, Rubio appeared in several impact-oriented deals, including a €3 million round for Chapter and participation in Vytal Global’s €14.2 million raise for reusable packaging.
Most recently, EU-Startups reported Rubio’s continued involvement in the ClimateTech sector through Sympower’s €42 million funding to advance Europe’s energy transition.
“Rubio was one of the first movers in the European impact market, launching its first fund in 2015 at a time when the market was still nascent. By targeting European startups that aim for social and climate impact, while also helping to build the environment for risk capital investment in the impact investing space, Rubio has been an inspirational partner for the EIF, and we’re happy to continue our fruitful collaboration,” added Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund.
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