Round One Ventures invests in startup Dingdong: 'Tinder for a new roommate'
Round One Ventures, a student-run venture capital fund, has invested in the startup Dingdong. This early investment should help launch Dingdong in the Netherlands.
Published on October 25, 2024
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Founded by Henco Schaap and Josh Bleijenberg, Dingdong aims to simplify finding a new room or roommate. "It's the Tinder for finding your new roommate," say the founders. With investment from student-run venture capital fund Round One Ventures, Dingdong will launch its app in January next year. It is starting in Nijmegen.
"We know from our own experience how time-consuming and frustrating it is to find a new roommate or a new house," said Henco Schaap. This is partly due to the widespread use of e-mail and Facebook. DingDong is developing a central platform where house sharers can find their new roommates in a fun and easy way.
A vibrant startup ecosystem for students
Brabant-based Round One Ventures is committed to creating a vibrant startup ecosystem by providing financial support and mentorship to student entrepreneurs.
“We believe in the potential of student startups to drive innovation and economic growth, even in their early stages of development. By supporting them, we are investing in the future of entrepreneurship,” said Linn Smetsers, managing director at Round One Ventures. “With this investment, we are pleased to support a startup working on solutions that specifically address the challenges and needs of students.”
Confidence in the early stage
“Round One Ventures is one of the few parties in the Netherlands that dares to step into startups early,” said Dingdong founder Henco Schaap. “We are delighted that they dare to do the same at Dingdong. Round One Ventures gives us all the confidence we need at a very early stage to realize our ambitions. We can ensure that searching for a new roommate or room becomes fun again. With this, we can help many students and startups.”
Round One Ventures continues to search for and support the next generation of student ventures. It plans to invest €2 million in student startups over the next few years. It previously invested in Dembrane. The fund aims to stimulate the entrepreneurial climate among students.