In the world of mobility tech, few names resonate as strongly as Roadsurer, a Munich-based camper van rental startup known for redefining how travelers explore Europe and North America. The company recently raised an impressive €25 million in venture debt from BBVA, supported by the European Investment Fund under the InvestEU programme. This marks a significant milestone as Roadsurer gears up to expand its fleet and accelerate international growth. This article explores their journey, highlighting actionable lessons for startups aiming for similar success.
# Step-by-Step Breakdown of Roadsurer’s €25M Venture Debt
1. The Funding Details
Roadsurfer locked in €25 million in venture debt, led by BBVA, with backing from the European Investment Fund under the InvestEU program. This strategic funding aligns with their expansion goals in Europe and North America.
Takeaway for Startups: Explore structured funding solutions like venture debt and understand how programmes like InvestEU can create opportunities for businesses focused on growth and sustainability.
2. Company Snapshot
Founded by Markus Dickhardt and team in 2016, Roadsurer operates across 90+ locations globally, with a fleet of nearly 10,000 camper vans. Their offerings include rentals, subscriptions, camper sales, and a dedicated camping platform called Roadsurfer Spots.
Actionable Tip: Diversifying services can increase revenue streams and attract investors. Explore adjacent offerings that complement your core business.
3. Strategic Use of Structure
The €25M venture debt builds on prior funding rounds like the €60M asset-backed securitization from Macquarie Group, giving Roadsurer over €500M in financing capacity. Earlier in 2025, Avellinia Capital injected €30M for fleet expansion.
Takeaway: Combining venture debt with asset-backed funding is a smart way to unlock significant capital while lowering equity dilution. Learn more about capital strategies from experts like BBVA and Macquarie Group.
4. Tech Innovation in Mobility
As part of its vision, Roadsurer invests heavily in digital platforms, aiming to create seamless customer experiences, from bookings to camping searches. Their technology-driven approach highlights the importance of digitization in traditional industries.
How You Can Apply This: Add digital transformation initiatives to your roadmap to enhance customer interaction and operational efficiency.
5. Sustainability & ESG Focus
Roadsurfer isn’t just scaling; it’s committed to sustainable travel. Venture debt providers like BBVA were drawn to their ESG-friendly narrative, aligning with global trends toward responsible tourism.
Pro Tip: Bake sustainability into your business model to appeal to increasingly ESG-focused investors.
6. Global Mindset Is Key
Roadsurfer’s 90+ locations span Europe, North America, and beyond. Their strategy to cater to travelers in locations like Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Berlin indicates a global mindset from day one.
Important Reminder: Focus on scalability so your business model can seamlessly adapt across geographies.
7. Programmes That Help, InvestEU Example
Roadsurfer tapped into EU frameworks like InvestEU, which are specifically designed to support high-growth companies. If you’re a startup looking for EU funding or grants tailored to your needs, tools like F/MS AI Grant Finder streamline the search and even draft your application, saving valuable time and energy.
Pro Tip: Try tools like the F/MS Startup AI Lawyer to navigate legal documents for agreements like venture debt, preventing unseen risks and money traps.
Roadsurfer’s Story: Statistics for Success
- Founded: 2016
- Headquarters: Munich, Germany
- Fleet Size (2025): ~10,000
- Operating Locations: 16 countries, 90+ locations (inc. Germany, US, Canada)
- Revenue (2023): €114M
- Funding Capacity: €500M
Mistakes Startups Should Avoid
1. Ignoring Structured Funding
Never overlook funding options like venture debt, asset-backed lending, or EU-focused grants which offer huge opportunities for scaling with less dilution.
2. Failing to Adapt Technology
Avoid underestimating the role of technology in transforming your user experience. In Roadsurer’s case, everything from camper rental to booking spots is digitized.
3. Skipping Market Diversification
Make sure your core offering is scalable and can expand into adjacent markets, like Roadsurer did with subscriptions and camper sales.
How PlayPal Can Help
Every entrepreneur needs a guide, and PlayPal, the AI Friend created by Fe/male Switch (F/MS), does just that. Whether you’re stuck with finding funding, drafting SOPs for your next pitch deck, or need strategic advice on navigating global markets, PlayPal provides tailored advice based on your startup’s stage. Learn more about PlayPal here!
Conclusion: Apply Roadsurer’s Success Blueprint
The Roadsurer story isn’t just about €25M, it’s a tale of strategic scaling, product diversification, and leveraging EU partnerships for expansion and sustainability. Aspiring startup founders can take inspiration from their journey while exploring platforms like F/MS that democratize resources and level the playing field. Don’t forget the invaluable role of digital co-founders like PlayPal to refine your business aspirations in 2025!
Start your entrepreneurial journey today, whether it's through Roadsurfer Spots, PlayPal, or a structured funding framework like InvestEU, success starts with a clear vision and actionable steps.
FAQ
1. What is Roadsurer, and what does it specialize in?
Roadsurfer is a Munich-based mobility tech startup specializing in camper van rentals, subscriptions, sales, and a camping platform called Roadsurer Spots, which connects travelers with private camping locations. Explore Roadsurer Spots
2. How much funding did Roadsurer secure in 2025, and from whom?
Roadsurer secured €25 million in venture debt from BBVA, supported by the European Investment Fund under the InvestEU programme. Learn more about InvestEU
3. What is the primary goal of this funding round?
The funding aims to expand Roadsurer’s camper van fleet, strengthen key markets, and accelerate international growth, particularly in Europe and North America. Discover the funding details
4. What sets Roadsurer apart from other camper van rental businesses?
Roadsurer stands out due to its diversified offerings, including rentals, subscriptions, camper van sales, and a tech-enabled camping platform, emphasizing sustainability and convenience. Learn more about Roadsurer
5. How significant is Roadsurer’s asset-backed securitization strategy?
Roadsurfer used a €60 million asset-backed securitization led by Macquarie Group, contributing to its total financing capacity of over €500 million. Explore Macquarie Group’s involvement
6. How does Roadsurer incorporate technology into its operations?
Roadsurer invests heavily in digital platforms to provide seamless booking experiences and access to camping spots, demonstrating the role of digitization in traditional industries. Learn more about Roadsurer’s tech transformation
7. Why is sustainability crucial for Roadsurer’s business model?
Roadsurer integrates ESG-friendly practices into its operations, appealing to socially conscious travelers and investors focused on responsible tourism. Discover Roadsurer’s sustainability practices
8. What markets does Roadsurer operate in globally?
Roadsurer serves travelers across 90+ locations in 16 countries, including Germany, Spain, Portugal, the U.S., and Canada, showcasing a global mindset for scaling. Explore Roadsurer’s locations
9. How can startups benefit from EU funding programs?
Startups like Roadsurer leveraged EU-focused programs like InvestEU for structured funding. Tools like the F/MS AI Grant Finder can help streamline applications for similar grants. Check out F/MS AI Grant Finder
10. What other financing rounds support Roadsurer’s growth strategy?
Roadsurer secured €30 million from Avellinia Capital in February 2025 to expand its fleet and accelerate growth in Europe and North America. Read Avellinia Capital’s announcement
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
