The Hello World Investment Philosophy: More Than Just Capital

At Hello World Investments, we believe that the journey from a raw concept to a scalable company is one of the most challenging—and rewarding—endeavors a founder can undertake. Based here in Amsterdam, our firm was established by Sam Renders and Nick Velten with a singular focus: to be a partner that does more than just write a check.

Founding a company is rarely a linear path. Both Sam, known internationally as artist Sam Feldt, and I have walked the path of entrepreneurship ourselves, most notably as co-founders of Fangage. Having lived through the highs and lows of building a tech-enabled venture, we recognized a gap in the market. We saw a need for investors who weren’t just passive observers, but active participants who could lend time, deep institutional knowledge, and capital to founders at the most critical stage of their development—the pre-seed and seed phase.

Our Approach: The Three Pillars

When we evaluate a potential partnership, we look for more than just a good slide deck. We look for a vision that we can get behind. Our operational philosophy is built on three pillars that define every interaction we have with our portfolio companies:

1. Time In the early days of a startup, the most valuable commodity isn't always cash; it's the availability of experienced advisors who can help navigate the "fog of war." We commit our time to our founders to help think through the roadblocks that typically arise during the transition from product-market fit to scaling operations.

2. Knowledge Between Sam’s experience in the creative and digital space and my background as the founder of Stimmt, we bring a toolkit of practical expertise to the table. We don't just talk theory; we help with the tactical realities of building a business in today's landscape.

3. Capital While knowledge and time provide the foundation, capital is the fuel. By investing both directly in startups and strategically through selected funds, we aim to ensure our partners have the resources they need to hit their next milestone.

Our Ecosystem

We are incredibly proud of the diverse range of companies and funds that make up our current portfolio. Each represents a different facet of the innovation ecosystem, from consumer-facing brands to heavy-duty infrastructure. Our portfolio currently includes:

• WebSummit: A cornerstone of the global tech event landscape.
• Update: Taking an innovative approach to the beverage industry.
• Slingshot Ventures: A key partner for European consumer-tech scale-ups.
• Curiosity VC: Focusing on the next generation of early-stage software companies.
• Madhappy: Merging lifestyle and community-focused apparel.
• Instant: Transforming the speed and accessibility of transactions.
• TrackBee: Bringing clarity and precision to tracking solutions.
• AudioStack: Revolutionizing the way we produce and distribute audio content using AI.
• Apollo HQ: Simplifying the operational side of modern business management.

Looking Ahead

We chose Amsterdam as our base for a reason. This city is a hub of creativity, engineering talent, and global connectivity. Our goal is to continue identifying founders who aren't afraid to challenge the status quo. We are currently looking to connect with teams in the pre-seed and seed stages who value a long-term partnership as much as we do.

If you are a founder currently navigating the early stages of your venture and believe that our specific blend of time, knowledge, and capital aligns with your vision, we would love to hear from you. You can reach out to us directly at hello@helloworld.amsterdam.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of Hello World Investments? We focus exclusively on pre-seed and seed stage startups. We provide a mix of time, knowledge, and capital to help early-stage founders scale their businesses effectively.

Who are the founders of Hello World Investments? The firm was founded by Sam Renders (Sam Feldt) and Nick Velten. We are based in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Does Hello World Investments invest in later-stage companies? No. Our mandate is specifically geared toward the pre-seed and seed stage. We focus our resources on the earliest, most critical moments of a company's lifecycle.

Do you only invest directly into startups? No, we invest both directly in startups and through selected funds, such as Slingshot Ventures and Curiosity VC, to broaden our impact within the ecosystem.

How can I reach the Hello World team? The best way to get in touch with us is via email at hello@helloworld.amsterdam. We review every inquiry that aligns with our investment focus.

Are you currently looking for new portfolio companies? Yes. We are always on the lookout for ambitious teams at the pre-seed or seed stage. If you have a clear vision and are looking for an active partner, we invite you to send us an email.