Amsterdam-based impact investor Rubio Impact Ventures has announced the successful close of its third fund, Rubio Fund III, with €70 million in investor commitments, signaling strong confidence in the firm’s mission to tackle climate change and social inequality through entrepreneurship. The new fund cements Rubio’s position as a leading impact investor in Europe, expanding its capacity to partner with founders building scalable solutions to humanity’s most pressing challenges. Launched in a tough fundraising environment, the fund underscores that capital continues to flow toward strategies that combine financial returns with measurable impact.
Expanding Impact Amid a Tough Market
The new vehicle comes at a time when global venture capital activity has slowed, making Rubio’s €70 million close a notable achievement for the impact segment. With this capital, the firm plans to back thirty high-potential European startups working on areas such as renewable energy, sustainable food systems, and accessible mental healthcare. Rubio now manages approximately €220 million across more than forty portfolio companies, demonstrating how earlier funds have already shown that impact and returns can reinforce each other.
Strong Backing from Public and Private Investors
Rubio Fund III has attracted a mix of public institutions, financial players, and private capital, reflecting growing conviction in impact investing as a mainstream asset class. Notable backers include the European Investment Fund, Invest-NL, Oost NL, Brabantse Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij, ING Nederland Social Impact Investments, NN Group’s Social Innovation Fund, and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency through an innovation loan under the Seed Capital scheme. Many investors from Rubio’s first and second funds have recommitted, reinforcing long-standing relationships and continuity in the firm’s investor base.
Institutional Endorsements Highlight Rubio’s Leadership
Key institutional partners have publicly praised Rubio’s role in shaping the Dutch and European impact landscape, describing the firm as a standard-setter rather than a follower. Invest-NL CEO Rinke Zonneveld called the decision to invest in Rubio Fund III “a no-brainer,” highlighting how the firm tackles both climate and social issues in a way that mobilizes more institutional capital into impact. European Investment Fund chief executive Marjut Falkstedt emphasized Rubio’s early move into the market in 2015 and described the firm as an “inspirational partner” in building the wider impact ecosystem.
Investing in Scalable Change
Rubio’s strategy for Fund III centers on founders who design scalable business models that deliver measurable environmental and social outcomes alongside commercial growth. Previous investments such as Sympower, NoPalm, and OpenUp illustrate the type of startups the firm seeks, from stabilizing electricity grids to transforming food supply chains and broadening access to mental health support. The new fund will continue to prioritize companies capable of driving systemic change, focusing on sectors where innovation can reduce emissions, increase inclusion, and improve quality of life.
The launch of Rubio Fund III marks a significant milestone in the maturation of impact investing in Europe and the Netherlands in particular. By raising €70 million during a period of tighter capital flows, Rubio has validated both its track record and its thesis that solving global challenges can create resilient, high-value businesses. As the firm deploys its third fund into thirty new companies, it aims to accelerate a new generation of startups that prove positive impact and strong financial returns can scale together.