Nascent Ventures selects high potential technologies derived from (nano-)physics research at universities and research institutes in the Netherlands. The Fund has received support letters from most of the relevant institutes and universities, including:

• FOM (Stichting Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie, including its research institutes Nikhef, Amolf and Differ).
• SRON (Netherlands Institute for Space Research)
• ECN (Energy research Centre of the Netherlands)
• Technical University of Eindhoven
• University of Twente
• University of Utrecht
• University of Groningen
• University of Leiden

The Fund will screen and select technologies from based on a proprietary due diligence process on various aspects of the technology, including: uniqueness, performance, application space, research, team and fundability.

Once a technology has been selected the Fund will proceed in four steps:

1. Founding the Startup
2. Providing Convertible Loan
3. Managing and Building the Startup
4. Equity round

After a positive investment decision a new startup company will be established by issuing founder shares to the founding partners, including the Fund. After establishment, the Fund will provide a convertible loan up to euro 250k to fund the startup during the “exploration phase”. Complementary and non-dilutive funding will be attracted from public sources.

The startup has successfully completed the exploration phase when it has developed a compelling investment proposition to VC investors comprised of:

• Proven technology (TRL 6-7)
• Attractive business plan
• Strong management team.

The Fund invites external investors to lead a seed round in which the Fund can co-invest. The convertible loan will be converted as part of this seed round.