Walvis Participaties

Walvis Participaties, established by John Fentener van Vlissingen in 2012, has evolved into a prominent Dutch venture capital firm specializing in Internet technology investments. Initially focusing on seed and early-stage Dutch startups with global potential, the firm has progressively expanded its investment scope. After successfully deploying its first fund, which maintains five active participations, Walvis launched a second fund in 2014 to leverage the abundant deal flow opportunities in the early-stage ecosystem. The firm's strategic evolution demonstrates its adaptability to the changing technology investment landscape in the Netherlands.

Currently operating through Walvis Fund III, the firm has refined its investment thesis to target Dutch Internet technology companies in their early growth phase. This fund specifically concentrates on five key sectors: Commerce, Enterprise, FinTech, Health, and Internet of Things (IoT). With a pronounced preference for B2B business models, Walvis implements an investment strategy centered on long-term value creation, establishing clear performance metrics, and fostering close collaborative relationships with entrepreneurs. This hands-on approach allows Walvis to provide not just capital but strategic guidance to its portfolio companies.

The firm maintains specific investment criteria, targeting companies that have demonstrated market validation through revenue traction. Prospective portfolio companies should generate annual revenue exceeding €1 million or maintain a monthly recurring revenue (MRR) above €80,000. Through Walvis Fund III, the firm typically deploys investments ranging from €1.5 million to €5 million in carefully selected early growth-stage Internet technology ventures. This targeted investment approach allows Walvis to provide meaningful capital injections that can accelerate growth while maintaining a focused portfolio.

Over its operational history, Walvis has built an impressive investment portfolio comprising nine companies across its target sectors. The firm now manages total assets exceeding €70 million, positioning it as a significant player in the Dutch venture capital ecosystem. By maintaining a sector-focused approach while remaining adaptable to emerging technology trends, Walvis continues to identify and nurture promising Dutch technology companies with potential for international expansion. The firm's evolution from early-stage investor to growth-stage partner reflects its maturation and deepening expertise in scaling technology businesses from the Netherlands to global markets.