Rockstart: funding, terms & how to apply
The purpose-driven Dutch pioneer — domain funds and accelerator programs in energy, agrifood and emerging tech, investing from dedicated funds with follow-on capacity to Series B.
Investment
Varies — check official site
Equity
Terms per program; third-party sources report ~€100K packages via convertible
Program length
Varies by program
Format
Hybrid
Deadlines
Rolling applications; programs run roughly biannually
Acceptance rate
Not published
Facts last checked 2026-08-26. Deals and dates change — the official site is always the source of truth for the current application window.
What Rockstart actually is
Rockstart, one of Europe's earliest accelerators, restructured around domain funds: Energy, AgriFood and Emerging Tech, each pairing an accelerator program with a fund that can follow on well past the first check. Programs run from Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Bogotá. Official pages don't publish a fixed standard deal; third-party sources consistently describe packages around €100K (cash plus program) via convertible.
It fits mission-driven founders in the energy transition and food-system space who want a specialist investor — the domain focus means mentors, corporate partners and LPs all speak your sector.
What they look for
The bar you need to clear before the application is worth sending.
Energy, agrifood or climate-relevant deep tech — generalists are out of thesis.
Purpose-driven founding teams with technical or domain depth.
Startups wanting a specialist lead that can follow on to Series B.
European or Latin American market focus matching a program hub.
Before you apply
Most rejections happen before the interview — in the application itself
Every question Rockstart asks — problem, traction, business model, team, market size — maps to work you can finish first. Build your startup profile in StartupKit, run the readiness score, and walk into the application with real answers instead of blank fields. Free, no card.
Build your startup profile freeApplication FAQ
What does Rockstart invest?
Terms are set per domain program and not published centrally; third-party sources report roughly €100K packages (cash plus program value) via convertible, with the domain funds able to follow on in later rounds. Confirm current terms with the specific program.
Which domains does Rockstart cover?
Energy and AgriFood are the flagship funds (Amsterdam and Copenhagen), with an Emerging Tech track and a Latin America presence in Bogotá.
When can I apply?
Applications are rolling; programs generally run on spring and autumn rhythms per domain.
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