Pitchdrive Secures €60M Fund to Invest in Europe’s AI-Native Startups

Established in 2020, Pitchdrive operates under a "Co-founder Capital" model that combines financial backing with practical guidance from a network of experienced entrepreneurs, operators, and startup founders. The firm is chaired by Jonas Dhaenens, founder of team.blue, and was founded by Boris Bogaert, Wim Derkinderen, and Koen Christiaens.

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Pitchdrive's investment approach is supported by a network of more than 20 entrepreneurs and senior executives from leading European technology companies, including team.blue, Deliverect, Lighthouse, Loop Earplugs, Showpad, Teamleader, Silverfin, and Foodbag. Through this network, portfolio companies gain access to strategic advice, operational expertise, and valuable connections across Europe's startup ecosystem.

The newly raised fund is expected to back around 25 to 30 early-stage startups across Europe and select international markets. Its investment thesis focuses on businesses either built around artificial intelligence or undergoing significant transformation through AI-driven innovation.

Pitchdrive intends to concentrate on three key segments: AI-native software platforms, AI-powered business categories, and software-enabled physical sectors such as robotics, mobility, and hardware. The firm emphasized that it will prioritize startups where AI serves as a core component of the business model rather than simply an additional feature.

According to Pitchdrive, the increased fund size reflects the evolving dynamics of the early-stage startup landscape, where AI-native companies are scaling faster and often require substantial computing resources instead of large employee headcounts.

Since its inception, Pitchdrive has invested in 70 startups across Europe. Its portfolio includes Henchman, which was acquired by LexisNexis, as well as companies such as Introw, Heltia, Happl, Axe, Ravical, Conveo, Foodamigos, and Gro.

Alongside the fund closing, Pitchdrive also revealed its participation in the $10 million pre-seed funding round of New York-based compliance AI startup Zerodrift, founded by serial entrepreneur Kumesh Aroomoogan. The investment highlights the firm's growing interest in supporting AI-focused startups beyond Europe while continuing to follow its founder-centric investment philosophy.

Pitchdrive said its Co-founder Capital model is designed to offer founders more than just financial support, combining early-stage funding with direct access to experienced operators and entrepreneurs who have successfully built and scaled technology businesses across Europe.

About PitchDrive

Pitchdrive is a venture capital firm based in Antwerp, Belgium, that provides early-stage funding to startups across Europe. Founded by experienced entrepreneurs, the firm aims to make fundraising faster and simpler for founders. Instead of relying solely on traditional investment methods, Pitchdrive uses an AI-powered and data-driven system to evaluate startups, helping it make investment decisions more quickly and objectively. This approach allows the firm to complete investments in a matter of weeks rather than months. Beyond providing capital, Pitchdrive offers hands-on support, mentorship, and access to a strong network of successful technology founders and business leaders, helping startups grow and scale more effectively.