Discover if this is a suitable investor for your startup. If they are we'll make a warm introduction for free. Otherwise, we'll connect you with matching investors.
Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Amsterdam, Positron Ventures is a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting scientist-entrepreneurs in Europe. The firm focuses on funding significant breakthroughs in the natural sciences, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, energy, and climate. With an initial fund size of $80 million, Positron Ventures aims to be the first institutional investor for teams embarking on innovative projects. The firm conducts in-depth research into scientific niches to ensure that they back transformative ideas capable of making substantial advancements in planetary health.
Positron Ventures has quickly established itself as a key player in the European venture capital landscape, with a portfolio that includes 11 companies. The firm emphasizes a high-conviction investment approach, often leading rounds at the pre-seed stage. Their commitment to understanding the state of science before making investments allows them to identify and support pioneering projects that address major global challenges.
As of now, Positron Ventures is actively investing in early-stage companies, with a focus on sectors that align with their mission of promoting sustainability and health. The firm is also expanding its team, indicating a growth trajectory that could enhance its investment capabilities and portfolio diversity.
Positron Ventures invests primarily in early-stage companies led by scientist-entrepreneurs who are developing innovative solutions in the natural sciences. Their investment strategy is centered around transformative ideas that contribute to planetary health, with a particular emphasis on sectors such as healthcare, energy, biotech, climate, and advanced materials. The firm typically engages at the pre-seed, seed, and seed-plus stages, often serving as the first institutional investor for emerging teams.
The firm seeks to back projects that address significant global challenges, focusing on scientific breakthroughs that can lead to impactful advancements. Positron Ventures is known for its high-conviction lead checks at the pre-seed stage, which allows them to support teams from the inception of their projects. They prioritize investments in companies that demonstrate a strong scientific foundation and a clear path to addressing pressing issues in health and the environment.
Positron Ventures is geographically focused on Europe, with a particular interest in the Netherlands, France, and Germany. Their commitment to understanding scientific niches informs their investment decisions, ensuring they align with projects that have the potential for substantial impact.
Positron Ventures has built a diverse portfolio of 11 companies, each focused on innovative solutions in the natural sciences. Notable portfolio companies include:
This portfolio reflects Positron Ventures' commitment to supporting groundbreaking innovations that address critical challenges in health, energy, and sustainability. The firm’s focus on scientist-entrepreneurs allows them to identify and nurture projects that have the potential to make a significant impact on planetary health.
Joseph (Sjef) Peeraer: Co-founder & General Partner. Joseph has a strong background in venture capital and deeptech investments, focusing on supporting scientist-entrepreneurs. He has led multiple successful funding rounds in the natural sciences.
Gijs van der Hulst: Co-founder & General Partner. Gijs previously managed fundraising for Dutch science startups, raising approximately $100 million cumulatively from 2019 onwards. His expertise lies in identifying promising scientific innovations.
Anna-Lena Schindl: Principal. Anna-Lena brings experience in venture capital and a keen interest in supporting early-stage companies in the natural sciences.
Bram de Zwart: Venture Partner. Bram has a background in scientific research and venture capital, focusing on deeptech investments.
Julia Wagner: Investment Manager. Julia is responsible for sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, with a focus on transformative scientific innovations.
Haralds Abolins: Associate. Haralds supports the investment team in due diligence and portfolio management, contributing to the firm’s mission of backing scientist-entrepreneurs.
To pitch Positron Ventures, founders should visit their website at positron.ventures. They prefer pitches that include a clear overview of the scientific innovation, the team’s background, and the potential impact on planetary health. A well-structured deck that outlines the problem, solution, market opportunity, and business model is essential.
Positron Ventures values warm introductions but also accepts direct submissions through their website. Founders can expect a response within a few weeks, depending on the volume of inquiries. It is advisable to highlight any scientific credentials or relevant experience in the pitch to align with their focus on scientist-entrepreneurs.
In October 2025, Positron Ventures led a pre-seed investment round for Aevoloop, a company focused on creating infinitely recyclable, microplastic-free plastics. This investment aligns with their commitment to supporting transformative innovations in sustainability.
As of April 2026, Positron Ventures has made a total of 11 investments since its founding in 2022, demonstrating a consistent pace of 3-4 deals per year. The firm continues to actively seek out opportunities in the natural sciences, particularly in sectors that address major global challenges.
What are Positron Ventures' investment criteria?
Positron Ventures focuses on early-stage companies led by scientist-entrepreneurs in the natural sciences. They prioritize transformative ideas in sectors such as healthcare, energy, biotech, climate, and advanced materials.
How can I pitch to Positron Ventures?
Founders can pitch their ideas through the Positron Ventures website. They encourage submissions that highlight innovative solutions and scientific foundations.
What makes Positron Ventures different from other investors?
Positron Ventures acts as the first institutional investor for many of its portfolio companies, providing high-conviction lead checks at the pre-seed stage. Their deep understanding of scientific niches allows them to guide scientist-entrepreneurs effectively.
What is the geographic focus of Positron Ventures?
The firm primarily invests in Europe, with a strong emphasis on the Netherlands, France, and Germany, targeting deeptech and hard science startups.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Positron Ventures typically leads rounds at the pre-seed stage, providing significant lead checks to support early-stage companies.
What kind of support do portfolio companies receive?
Portfolio companies benefit from Positron Ventures' expertise in navigating the complexities of early-stage development, as well as access to their network and resources to help scale their innovations.
All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and brands does not imply endorsement.