Dutch AI Startup Aizy Reaches €22 Million Valuation Just One Year After Launch
Breda, Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Breda-based marketing platform Aizy achieved a remarkable €22 million valuation within twelve months of operation, securing an additional €2 million in funding this February. The company reached €2 million in annual recurring revenue and attracted over 150 clients in its debut year, placing it among an elite group of rapidly scaling startups.
Rapid Growth Through AI-Driven Innovation
The artificial intelligence marketing platform, founded in 2024 by Stefan Nuijten [1], demonstrates how specialized AI solutions can rapidly capture market share in the competitive digital marketing landscape. Aizy’s technology focuses specifically on performance marketing for small and mid-sized businesses, a segment traditionally underserved by enterprise-level AI marketing tools [1]. The company’s approach centers on automating campaign management through scalable AI-driven systems, moving away from the manual processes that have historically dominated performance marketing [1][2].
Strategic Funding Progression
The February 2026 funding round represents Aizy’s second major capital injection within seven months, following a €1.5 million raise in August 2025 [1][3]. The latest €2 million round was led by founder Stefan Nuijten, with participation from existing investors Michiel Mol, Joost van der Klooster, and Gijs Nagel [2][3]. This funding progression illustrates a strategic approach to capital deployment, with the company raising funds as it hit specific growth milestones rather than pursuing larger, dilutive rounds early in its development cycle.
Market Position and Competitive Advantage
Co-founder and investor Michiel Mol emphasized the significance of Aizy’s financial performance, stating that “reaching €2 million in ARR within the first year places Aizy among a very small group” of startups [1]. The company’s ability to attract over 150 clients in its debut year [1] demonstrates strong product-market fit in the AI marketing automation space. This client acquisition rate suggests that small and mid-sized businesses are actively seeking alternatives to traditional marketing approaches, creating substantial market opportunities for AI-driven solutions.
Future Expansion Strategy
Looking ahead to 2026, Aizy plans to leverage its recent funding for international expansion beyond the Netherlands, while simultaneously focusing on controlled scaling and expanding internal product and engineering capacity [1]. Stefan Nuijten outlined the company’s vision, explaining that “performance marketing is moving away from manual campaign management toward scalable, AI-driven systems” and expressing plans to “make AI-driven performance accessible to many more businesses and agencies” [1][2]. The expansion strategy targets both direct clients and agency partners, indicating a multi-channel approach to market penetration that could accelerate revenue growth while maintaining sustainable client results.