Aditya Raj (Adi)
Lead Author of the Africa Investment Bridge report @ Westerwelle Foundation
About
I work at the intersection of capital, entrepreneurship, and storytelling: by helping founders raise, investors co-invest, and ecosystems grow. 🎙️ Host of The Storyshapers podcast: real conversations on the motivations, experiences, and defining choices of builders, backers, and believers. ✍🏼 Writing on tech investments in climate, energy, and circular innovation. Follow along if that’s your space too. 📄 Author of 2024 South Holland Startup Investment White Paper (700+ downloads). ————————————————————————————— With a background in transactions, deep stakeholder work, and program design, I’ve helped close funding rounds, launch initiatives, and build communities that last beyond an event. What I do best: 〰️ Turn ideas into fundable, well-run programs. 〰️ Plug into teams quickly to boost capacity. 〰️ Build momentum and community around meaningful projects. Currently: 〰️ Supporting Series A tech founders (Series A accelerator and individual fundraising). 〰️ Building investor consortia at Catalyze Group (Co-funding Club and Investor Roundtables). 〰️ Organising delegation for 10 Korean Deep Tech startups to The Netherlands for PoC projects (for Startup Colors). 〰️ Collecting stories for the sake of stories at The Storyshapers podcast. Got something worth building together? I've space for one more passion project. Let’s talk.
Netherlands
The Randstad
Financial Services
Business Development, Entrepreneurship, Start-ups, Human Resources, Leadership, Sales, Acquisition, Project Management, Performance Management, Negotiation, Training, Pitching, Public Speaking, Operations Management, Hosting Events, Sourcing, Event Management, Management, Customer Service
Experience
Lead Author of the Africa Investment Bridge report
Westerwelle Foundation
Africa, Europe
Our goal: Unlock better funding pathways from Europe to Africa. Africa Investment Bridge (AIB) is implemented by Westerwelle Foundation, funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Project SPARK. SPARK is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union (EU).
Lead Investment Advisor
Catalyze Group
Europe
I co-lead our VC Launchpad program. We are a fund, venture builder and advisory firm with headquarters in Amsterdam working with about 400 high potential startups every year to obtain non-dilutive and dilutive funding and position their innovation. We invest in Sustainability, Semiconductor Industry, ClimateTech, Food, AgTech, BioTech and Life sciences - Seed to Series A. With our VC Launchpad program, where we help prepare scientific and novel technology companies build partnerships with the right investors. We also help investors build deal-sharing and Co-funding consortia.
Catalyze Co-funding Club (Initiator)
Catalyze Group
Join a curated group of forward-thinking investors and breakthrough founders building the future of industry through DeepTech, Decarbonization, and Advanced Industry Solutions. Co-Funding Club Online format is collaborative and curated: - Investors are invited to bring a company from their portfolio or network. - Startups and investors can view each other’s profiles ahead of time. - One-on-one meetings are match-based, ensuring relevant connections on the day. Whether you're scouting your next co-investment or introducing one of your portfolio companies to aligned capital, this is an exclusive and efficient way to connect.
Independent Consultant and Advisor
Under The Sun Ventures (UTS Ventures)
- Successful delivery of project/portfolio/fund management. - Building deal-flow pipelines for deeptech/corporate VCs, angels and green finance funds. - Organising Access to Capital and Market dealmaking events. - Helping companies with fundraising, international trade and expansion strategy. - Hosting and moderating event/workshops/podcast/panel discussions. - Available for Interim assignments.
Liaison Korean Deep Tech Delegation to The Netherlands
Startup Colors
Served as liaison for a Korean Deep Tech & CarbonTech delegation in the Netherlands, connecting K-scaleups with European investors, corporates, and ecosystem partners. - Delivered business matchmaking and curated meetings (incl. an Amsterdam boat networking session) to accelerate partnerships, pilots, and fundraising conversations. - Supported the Global PoC Program (Ministry of Science and ICT, Korea Innovation Foundation/Innopolis, and Startup Colors): helping R&D-led Korean companies validate technology and business models in Europe, with a focus on biohealth and carbon neutrality.
Investment Lead for South Holland
Up!Rotterdam
Helping founders and investors in the Metropolitan region of Rotterdam and The Hague (MRDH) achieve their goals. Designing and implementing a regional wide strategy on how to attract international investors.
Investment Lead and Deepdive Stage Host
Upstream Festival
TWO DAYS OF EVERYTHING A STARTUP NEEDS FOR GROWTH - 21 and 22 May 2025 Upstream is where innovation meets community. Join us for an electrifying blend of inspiration, collaboration, and forward-thinking. Whether you're a founder, investor or a corporate change maker, this community-driven festival is your gateway to cutting-edge ideas, meaningful connections, and endless possibilities. https://www.upstreamfestival.com
Program Manager - Dutch Mission to India 2024-25
Netherlands Embassy in India
Netherlands and India.
Program Manager and Co-host - Africa Impact Festival (main event)
Westerwelle Foundation
Germany, Europe and Africa
Celebrating African founders, technology and culture: https://africa-impact-festival.com/
Independent Consultant
Wereld Natuur Fonds (WWF-NL)
Mentor
FasterCapital
FasterCapital is an online incubator that offers multiple programs to help startups. FasterCapital has currently more than 20 companies that graduated from its technical cofounder program and more than 280 companies in its acceleration program (help in raising capital and mentorship). FasterCapital has also more than +950 regional partners worldwide who represent FasterCapital in over 500 offices worldwide. FasterCapital has also a strong network of close to 1000 mentors. We have signed more than 60 partnerships with incubators and venture funds worldwide
Education
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
Core Courses: - Opportunity Creation - Entrepreneurial Strategies - Start Up & Growth - Corporate Entrepreneurship - Research Skills in Entrepreneurship Elective Courses: - Managing and Financing Startups - New Business Development - Companies in Ecologies
Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM)
Aditya Raj (Adi)'s Contact Information
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