What Does Rockstart Do?

Total employees277
HeadquartersAmsterdam
Founded2011

Rockstart is an early-stage investor and accelerator dedicated to empowering purpose-driven founders to drive positive change on a global scale. They specialize in AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Technologies, providing startups with access to capital, market, community, and expertise. Rockstart's programs and investments aim to help founders build scalable and impactful companies, primarily focusing on European and Latin American ecosystems.

Where Is Rockstart's Headquarters?

HQ Function

Serves as the central hub for Rockstart's global operations, including core accelerator programs, investment decision-making, portfolio management, and fostering its international startup community.

Notable Features:

Located in the redeveloped Houthavens district, a former timber port area transformed into a modern hub for creative and tech companies. The office is designed to foster collaboration and innovation, typical of startup accelerator environments.

Work Culture:

Dynamic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative. Focuses on supporting purpose-driven founders, implying a mission-oriented and supportive internal culture. Strong emphasis on community building and knowledge sharing.

HQ Significance:

Amsterdam is a leading European tech and startup hub, providing Rockstart with access to a rich ecosystem of talent, co-investors, corporate partners, and international markets. Its location facilitates Rockstart's pan-European reach and connectivity.

Values Reflected in HQ: Innovation, collaboration, sustainability (a common theme in Amsterdam's redevelopments and Rockstart's investment thesis), and fostering growth are reflected in its open, dynamic spaces and its location within a thriving tech ecosystem.

Location:

Rockstart operates with a global mindset, investing in and supporting startups from various countries, with a primary focus on Europe and Latin America. They support portfolio companies in their internationalization efforts, leveraging a global network of mentors, investors, and industry experts. Their key investment domains – AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Technologies – address global challenges and opportunities.

Street Address:

Rigakade 10

City:

Amsterdam

State/Province:

North Holland

Country:

The Netherlands

Where Else Does Rockstart Operate Around the World?

Bogotá, Colombia

Address: Carrera 14 #94A-27, Bogotá, Colombia (representative address for operations, often utilizing co-working spaces like WeWork)

To identify and support high-potential tech startups in Latin America, connecting them with global expertise, markets, and capital. It serves as a bridge between the LatAm and European startup ecosystems.

Buying Intent Signals for Rockstart

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading Rockstart? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, Rockstart' leadership includes:

Rune Theill - CEO & Co-founder
Don Ritzen - Managing Partner AgriFood & Co-founder
Freerk Bisschop - Managing Partner Energy
Felipe Santamaria - Managing Partner Emerging Tech (LatAm)
Karin Horst - CFO
Laura Gelperina - Head of People & Culture

Who's Investing in Rockstart?

Rockstart has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

ABP Pension Fund
De Hoge Dennen Capital
Brabant Development Agency (BOM)
Eneco
Helen Ventures
Engie
Verbund X Ventures
Various other institutional investors, family offices, and HNWIs (High Net Worth Individuals)

What Leadership Changes Has Rockstart Seen Recently?

Hire2
Exits0

Rockstart has strengthened its domain expertise by appointing new Venture Partners in its key sectors over the past year. No major C-level departures have been publicly noted, suggesting stability in top leadership.

New Appointments:

Bob Lijnne, Bob Lijnne joined Rockstart as Venture Partner for the Energy fund to enhance investment strategy and portfolio support in the energy transition sector.
Martijn van der Wind, Martijn van der Wind appointed as Venture Partner for the AgriFood fund, bringing expertise to support startups revolutionizing the food system.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byRockstart?

Discover the tools Rockstart uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Rockstart Email Formats and Examples

Rockstart commonly uses the email format `[first_name]@rockstart.com`. Another potential pattern, though less frequently primary, could be `[first_name].[last_name]@rockstart.com` for some employees or specific communications.

[first_name]@rockstart.com or [first_name].[last_name]@rockstart.com

Format

example: rune@rockstart.com or jane.doe@rockstart.com

Example

85%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About Rockstart?

EU-Startups • May 29, 2024

Rockstart invests in Austrian climate tech startup KONTROL to reduce energy waste in buildings

Rockstart, through its Energy fund, has invested in KONTROL, an Austrian climate tech startup developing AI-powered solutions to reduce energy waste and CO2 emissions in commercial buildings. The investment aims to support KONTROL's growth and market expansion....more

Rockstart News • March 7, 2024

Rockstart’s 2023 AgriFood Report: Accelerating impactful solutions for a sustainable food system

Rockstart released its annual AgriFood Report, highlighting the progress of its portfolio companies, key industry trends, and the accelerator's commitment to fostering innovations that address challenges in the global food supply chain. The report showcases €51M in follow-on funding raised by its AgriFood portfolio in 2023....more

Contxto • October 19, 2023

Rockstart Latam selects 10 startups for its 2023 Emerging Tech program

Rockstart Latam announced the 10 selected startups for its 2023 Emerging Tech program in Bogotá. These companies, hailing from various Latin American countries, will receive investment and support to scale their innovative solutions....more

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