ZOLLHOF Launches ZOHO.VC With €10M Fund Hits 70% First Close

The fund, currently at €7 million, focuses on early-stage, technology-driven startups that can leverage the ZOLLHOF ecosystem.

ZOHO.VC is the venture capital arm of the ZOLLHOF innovation center, investing in pre-Seed and Seed technology startups. Combining capital, technical expertise, and a network of corporate partners, tech specialists, and co-investors, ZOHO.VC provides startups with more than just financial support.

The fund is led by Dennis Kirpensteijn, Benjamin Bauer, and Nicolas Sievers, with investment guidance from Dr. Judit Klein, Head of Startups at ZOLLHOF.

Its strategy targets startups emerging from ZOLLHOF’s own incubation programme recently designated a “Startup Factory” by the German Federal Government as well as co-investment opportunities from its investor network.

The approach is already producing results: during the fundraising process, five startups have joined the portfolio, including Merge Labs, founded by Sam Altman and FAU alumnus Alex Blania, with funding led by the OpenAI Startup Fund.

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Given steady deal flow and rapid growth, partners Bauer and Kirpensteijn, along with Principal Sievers, plan to increase the fund’s target volume in 2026.

Dennis Kirpensteijn, General Partner at ZOHO.VC, commented on the milestone: “Securing 70% of our capital by the First Closing is a massive vote of confidence from our LPs. They support us not only with capital but with their own networks, expert knowledge across a variety of industries and technologies, and immense entrepreneurial experience. It also shows that our approach being deeply rooted in the operational startup ecosystem strikes a chord in today’s market.”

Analysis from 2025 and 2026 highlights sustained activity in early-stage technology-driven venture funds across Europe, providing important context for ZOHO.VC’s first close.

Notable examples include The Footprint Firm’s €76 million fund for early-stage climate and DeepTech companies in Northern Europe. Germany remains particularly active, with Munich-based Vanagon Ventures securing €20 million to address the pre-Seed DeepTech and AI gap while Ananda Impact Ventures completed a €73 million first close for its impact-focused technology fund.

At a pan-European level, U2V launched a €60 million vehicle to support pre-Seed and Seed DeepTech startups emerging from technical universities.

Southern Europe has also seen new early-stage capital formation, with Milan-based Step Fund raising €30 million for Seed-stage tech startups and Madrid-based Mission unveiling a €35 million pre-Seed fund following Demium VC’s rebrand.

Together, these rounds represent roughly €294 million in newly raised or first-close capital directed towards early-stage and adjacent technology sectors, positioning ZOHO.VC’s €7 million first close within a broader pattern of continued European investor commitment to pre-Seed and Seed-stage technology investing including multiple funds originating from Germany.

“We are not just financiers; we are partners from day one. Launching its own venture capital fund is the logical next step for ZOLLHOF – Tech Incubator, ensuring it can continue to provide ideal conditions for the growth and scaling of technology startups well into the future,” adds Dennis.

About ZOLLHOF

ZOLLHOF – Tech Incubator is a premier launchpad for startups, corporate innovators, and entrepreneurial talent. It supports ambitious startups in bringing ideas to market, helps corporations future-proof their business, and empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to kickstart their journey, fostering innovation, growth and successful ventures.