We raised €4.5m for Builders (announcement). It’s a milestone that means a lot to us. Not just because of the number, but because of what it represents. The belief, the resilience, the people who never stopped building. Building a studio isn’t easy. It’s messy, uncertain, and humbling. But it’s also what makes it worth it.To everyone who’s been part of this ride, our team, our founders, our partners, and all of you who’ve cheered us on: thank you!

‍The funding was provided by a group of leading entrepreneurs, exit-founders, and family offices and will be used to further develop Builders’ AI ecosystem and take the first steps toward European expansion.

From early successes to self-sufficiency

‍Builders is a venture studio that partners with entrepreneurs to build enterprise AI companies - from initial idea to fully independent business. From day one, the studio supports founders with concept development, validation, talent acquisition, network access, funding, execution, and growth.

Following the first funding round, in which €1.5 million was raised, Builders developed companies including Noon, Obeyo, and Influentials. Noon and Obeyo were later discontinued, while Influentials was acquired.

With the €3 million raised in the second round, Builders has sharpened its focus on enterprise AI software and built a new portfolio of ventures, including Everday, Avery, and Cortena. All three companies are ready for their seed funding.  Supported by this funding, Builders will scale up its operations and launch at least four companies per year, paving the way toward a self-sustaining venture studio.

"We don’t build from a distance or a board seat - we’re in the trenches alongside the entrepreneurs” said Sharon Klaver, co-founder of Builders. “With each iteration we sharpen our model, and by now we know which founders and markets align with our ambition. This funding allows us to further roll out and scale this across Europe.”‍

The funding was raised from, among others, family offices Den Breems & Schouten B.V., Invint Capital, Vajoinvest, Hedje Invest, Plott Invest, as well as angel investors Peter Kaas, Wouter Holtslag, Edwin de Jonge, Eric Carbijn, Richard Budding, Karol Wojtaszek and Emil Wojtaszek, Joeri van den Bovenkamp-Hofman, Ruud Vodegel, Hector Rodriguez, Wilbert Nederpelt, Steven van Houweling, Roland van Gulik, Herjan Meloen, Tristan Orzero, and Patrick Veldhuis, Eliska Went, Theo Wieckardt, Patrick van de Werken, Sylvia Dekker. 

AI Focus and European Expansion

‍The new funding not only supports the existing portfolio but also marks the beginning of Builders’ European expansion. By collaborating with other startup studios and venture ecosystems across Europe, Builders aims to apply its proven approach more broadly and increase the number of new companies from four to ten per year.

To accelerate this growth, Builders is preparing to launch a new €25 million fund, which will invest across the studio’s entire AI ecosystem, including follow-on funding for existing ventures and new European collaborations. The first closing of the fund is planned for summer 2026.

"Builders has accumulated a wealth of data over the past years on successfully building companies. With a clear focus on AI - and therefore the future of work - a lean model, and a hands-on approach, the company is ready for the next growth phase. We are happy to support that," said Remco Schouten, Partner at Den Breems & Schouten B.V. 

About Builders

Builders is a Rotterdam-based venture studio that collaborates with experienced entrepreneurs to build new technology companies. The studio focuses on developing enterprise AI software businesses and supports founders throughout the entire journey - from initial idea to a successful seed stage. Since its founding in 2021, Builders has launched six ventures. The venture studio is actively working to expand its AI-driven ecosystem across Europe.