Green Challenge Fund

What they do

Stichting DOEN, established in 1991 by the Dutch Postcode Lottery, operates as a foundation providing subsidies and manages a substantial investment portfolio through DOEN Participaties, its dedicated impact investment vehicle. The Green Challenge Fund is a specific mandate within this structure, originally launched to invest in finalists of the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge competition. DOEN is a "patient capital" investor, willing to take higher risks on early-stage "frontrunners" that traditional VCs might deem too early or unproven, often providing the first institutional capital to circular economy and social inclusion startups.

What they look for

DOEN invests to accelerate three specific transitions: Regenerative Economy (Green), Solidary Society (Social), and Power of Imagination (Creative). They explicitly look for "voorlopers" (pioneers)-entrepreneurs who are ahead of the market, taking risks to prove new models that can systemically change industries. The Green Challenge Fund specifically targets alumni of the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge competition, supporting them with follow-on growth capital to scale their sustainable innovations globally. They offer patient capital, network access, and credibility to unlock further funding.

Stage

Pre-seed, Seed, Series A

Sectors

Climate, Food and agriculture, Deeptech, Healthcare, AI, Mobility and logistics, Other

Based

Amsterdam, NL