Rotterdam-based venture studio Builders has raised an additional €3 million, bringing its total funding to €4.5 million. The funding was raised from, among others, family offices Den Breems & Schouten B.V., Invint Capital, Vajoinvest, Hedje Invest, Plott Invest, as well as angel investors Peter Kaas, Wouter Holtslag, Edwin de Jonge, Eric Carbijn, Richard Budding, Karol Wojtaszek and Emil Wojtaszek, Joeri van den Bovenkamp-Hofman, Ruud Vodegel, Hector Rodriguez, Wilbert Nederpelt, Steven van Houweling, Roland van Gulik, Herjan Meloen, Tristan Orzero, and Patrick Veldhuizen, Eliska Went, Theo Wieckardt, Patrick van de Werken, and Sylvia Dekker.
The funds will be used to scale operations, develop proprietary AI tools, and enhance founder support programs, positioning Builders as one of Europe’s most active venture studios in enterprise AI.
How was the idea born?
Builders was founded in 2021 by Sharon Klaver and Michael van Lier, with a clear purpose to turn ambitious startup concepts into thriving, self-sustaining businesses. The studio partners closely with founders, offering expertise in product validation, hiring, network access, funding, and scaling.
Its first funding round of €1.5 million led to the creation of startups like Noon, Obeyo, and Influentials, the latter successfully acquired. Learning from early experiences, Builders refined its focus on enterprise AI, resulting in a sharper, more scalable model.
Now, with the new investment, Builders has launched a next-generation portfolio including Everday, Avery, and Cortena, all on track for seed funding. With this momentum, the studio aims to launch at least four new AI companies every year, moving closer to full operational self-sufficiency.
Building Europe’s AI venture engine
Looking ahead, Builders is preparing to launch a €25 million fund to invest across its entire AI ecosystem, spanning new ventures, follow-on rounds, and European partnerships. The first closing is expected by summer 2026.
The studio’s broader vision is to extend its model across Europe by collaborating with other venture builders and startup accelerators, increasing annual venture creation from four to ten companies. This marks a decisive step toward transforming Builders into a pan-European hub for AI innovation, where startups can grow faster, smarter, and more sustainably.
With this strategic boost, Builders is not just funding startups but also constructing the foundation of Europe’s next generation of AI-driven enterprises.
“We don’t build from a distance or a board seat – we’re in the trenches alongside the entrepreneurs,” said Sharon Klaver, co-founder of Builders. “With each iteration, we sharpen our model, and by now we know which founders and markets align with our ambition. This funding allows us to further roll out and scale this across Europe.”
“Builders have accumulated a wealth of data over the past years on successfully building companies. With a clear focus on AI – and therefore the future of work – a lean model, and a hands-on approach, the company is ready for the next growth phase. We are happy to support that,” said Remco Schouten, Partner at Den Breems & Schouten B.V.
