According to EU-Startups, Amsterdam-based data platform Dealroom has raised €5.8 million, which is about $7 million, in a new funding round announced today. The round was led by Índico Capital Partners, with Rabobank and existing investors Beringea, Shoe Investments, and Knight Capital also chipping in. Founded back in 2013 by CEO Yoram Wijngaarde, the company’s main goal with this cash is to scale its international presence, with a specific initial focus on the United States. Dealroom’s platform is used to track millions of companies, offering predictive analytics on funding, valuations, and trends for VCs, corporates, and governments. The firm claims more than 100 tech ecosystems globally, from Austin to Nairobi, use its data to measure growth. Beyond geographic expansion, the company plans to invest the capital in its proprietary data assets and AI-driven intelligence features.
The data arms race heats up
Here’s the thing: the market for private company data is brutally competitive. You’ve got giants like PitchBook and Crunchbase, and then a whole host of niche players. So what’s Dealroom’s real angle? They’re pushing hard on this idea of “ecosystem collaboration” and working directly with governments and local hubs. That’s a different path than just scraping the web and selling access. By being the official data partner for a city or region, they get direct feeds and, in theory, more accurate, harder-to-find intel. It’s a smart play, because if you become the source of record for an ecosystem, you’re incredibly sticky. But it’s also a grind—building trust with 100 different local entities isn’t easy or fast.
More than just spreadsheets
The commentary from Índico’s Stephan de Moraes is telling. He highlights Dealroom’s “physical presence” in Lisbon as a key differentiator. That’s interesting. It suggests Dealroom isn’t just selling a software subscription; it’s selling membership and integration into a network. The promise of “predictive intelligence rather than just historical reporting” is the holy grail everyone chases. Can they actually deliver that consistently? That’s the multi-million dollar question. Using AI to spot trends before they’re obvious is the kind of thing that could justify a premium price for their platform. But let’s be real, everyone says they’re using AI now. The proof will be in the insights their customers actually act on.
Stakeholder impact: a trickle-down effect
For users like VCs and corporate venture arms, a better, more predictive Dealroom means (hopefully) better deal flow and earlier identification of rising stars or threatening disruptors. For governments and economic development agencies, it’s about benchmarking. They need to answer questions like: “How are we doing compared to Stockholm or Singapore?” This data fuels policy and funding decisions. For startups themselves, being accurately tracked on these platforms can mean visibility to investors and potential partners. But there’s a potential downside, right? If an ecosystem is deemed “cold” by the data, does it become a self-fulfilling prophecy? Data transparency is great, but it can also reinforce existing biases and herd mentality in venture capital.
The road ahead
Scaling in the US is the obvious next move, but it’s also the toughest battleground. That’s where the incumbents are strongest and the market is most saturated. Dealroom’s European roots and collaborative model might be a fresh approach, but American investors can be a skeptical bunch. The investment in AI and proprietary data is non-negotiable—that’s the core product. I think their long-term success hinges on whether they can move from being a great *descriptive* tool to a truly *prescriptive* one. Telling me what happened last quarter is useful. Telling me where to look next week is invaluable. If they can crack that code, this €5.8 million will look like a very small bet.
