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Defence & Security launchevent

jelle.vanes@marktlinkcapital.com (Jelle van Es) — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:05:24 GMT

Europe faces a choice: investing in our security

The world is going through a period of increasing geopolitical tensions and power politics. Europe can no longer rely entirely on the United States for its security. This calls for substantial investments in a modern, scalable, and technologically advanced defense industry.

Based on this conviction, we launched the Defense & Security Sector Fund on June 30 during an event at the NBC Congress Center in Nieuwegein. Led by Bas van Werven, known from BNR, various experts discussed geopolitical developments and the need to invest in companies that contribute to Europe’s security.

Europe must take on more responsibility

According to foreign affairs commentator Bernard Hammelburg, the discussion about NATO’s role is anything but new. Hammelburg built an impressive career as a foreign correspondent, regularly reported from conflict zones, and served as a correspondent in the United States for many years. He is currently a foreign affairs commentator at BNR.

He emphasizes that Donald Trump is not the first U.S. president to criticize the contribution of European NATO countries. Presidents such as Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan also believed that Europe should take more responsibility for its own defense.

According to Hammelburg, the difference is that the United States is now explicitly stating that not every international conflict is automatically an American problem. The idea that Europe serves as a buffer against threats from Russia, as it previously did against the Soviet Union, has thus fundamentally changed.

According to Hammelburg, this means that Europe must invest much more in its own security. It must no longer depend on the United States, but instead build a strong defense industry on its own and invest in innovative technologies and smart weapons systems.

He also believes that pension funds should take a different view of investments in the defense sector. Ultimately, it’s all about the security of our society.

Peter van Uhm: “We have to make choices now”

Former Commander of the Armed Forces Peter van Uhm agreed with Hammelburg’s analysis. In his view, Europe must accept that it will have to operate with increasing autonomy. Achieving full independence from the United States will take years, but the first steps must be taken now.

At the same time, Van Uhm also sees positive developments. The defense sector is growing strongly, order books are well-filled, and demand for innovative solutions is rising rapidly.

He believes these investments are necessary. He refers to the annual report of the Military Intelligence and Security Service, which states that Russia could be capable of initiating a regional conflict with NATO within a year after the end of the war in Ukraine.

According to Van Uhm, we should not only listen to Vladimir Putin’s words but, above all, look at his actions. Putin does not always do what he says. But what he does, he has always said he would do. And Putin has always said that he wants to rectify the historic blunder of the collapse of the Soviet Union. And that includes the Baltic States, which are part of NATO.

Van Uhm also views the construction of a new rail link and a large military barracks near the Finnish border as signs that call for vigilance.

Moreover, he believes that security goes beyond defense alone. Food supply, water, energy, digital security, and critical infrastructure also deserve attention. We are hit where we are most vulnerable.

Choices shape the future

Van Uhm emphasized his message with a personal story from the book *The Choice* by Edith Eger.

During her imprisonment in Auschwitz, young Edith manages to get her hands on a loaf of bread. She is then faced with a difficult choice: should she keep the bread for herself, share it with her sister, or distribute it among all the women in the barracks? She chooses the latter.

Everyone gets only a small piece, but the gesture gives them hope. When the prisoners are later evacuated and Edith collapses from exhaustion, it is her fellow prisoners who lift her up and carry her away. They remember that she had previously shared her bread with everyone.

According to Van Uhm, this shows that choices have consequences, not only in the moment, but also in the long term.

That lesson took on extra meaning for him when his son, First Lieutenant Dennis van Uhm, was killed in 2008 along with Private First Class Mark Schouwink by a roadside bomb during a mission in Afghanistan. Just one day earlier, Van Uhm had been appointed Commander of the Armed Forces.

In the days that followed, a debate arose in the media over whether he could still carry out his duties. Van Uhm made a conscious decision to take control of the situation himself. During a press conference, which was also followed by military personnel in Afghanistan, he spoke not only about his personal loss but, above all, about the importance of the mission and the responsibility the Netherlands bore.

According to him, that decision shifted the public debate and brought calm within the organization.

He concluded his remarks with a clear message: if we take responsibility today to invest in our security, we can truly make a difference tomorrow.

Investing in Defense & Security

Bouke Marsman, Managing Partner at Marktlink Capital, concluded the event by outlining the vision behind the Defense & Security Sector Fund.

The defense industry is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. In the coming years, governments will allocate hundreds of billions of euros to defense, cybersecurity, and related technologies. Private equity and venture capital funds play a key role in this by providing capital, knowledge, and expertise to innovative companies that are often not yet publicly traded.

Through the Defense & Security Sector Fund, Marktlink Capital invests via a funds-of-funds strategy in three to four specialized funds active within this sector. The fund has a target size of €100 million and offers investors the opportunity to diversify their investments in a market that is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

Marktlink Capital enters into a strategic partnership with Inflexion

Team Marktlink Capital — Fri, 01 May 2026 06:12:54 GMT

At Marktlink Capital, we enable you as a private investor to invest in private equity. This is how you support entrepreneurs in the growth processes of their businesses, because your capital is used to improve business processes, invest in people and resources, and make mergers or acquisitions. And now we are part of such a process ourselves. British investor Inflexion is taking a minority stake in Marktlink Capital. The goal? To take Marktlink Capital to the next stage.

Vincent Germyns leads Marktlink Capital's expansion into Belgium

Team Marktlink Capital — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 09:03:33 GMT

Amsterdam, 30 September 2025 - Dutch investment company Marktlink Capital is looking to expand into Belgium. The company, which specialises in unlisted investments, recently raised €520 million from wealthy entrepreneurs and families with its latest private equity and venture capital funds in the Netherlands. To prepare for its launch in Belgium, Marktlink Capital has brought in Belgian Vincent Germyns as partner, who spent twenty years at the helm of BinckBank and later Saxo Bank. He was responsible for BinckBank's expansion into various countries and Saxo's growth in Europe.

Vincent Germyns

Germyns is currently making preparations to launch Marktlink Capital in Belgium. Bouke Marsman, managing partner at Marktlink Capital: "Five years ago, we started in the Netherlands with two experienced partners, and we are delighted to have found Vincent to do the same in Belgium. Investing in unlisted companies is very popular among entrepreneurs and family offices, now that investing in real estate is less profitable and the stock markets are volatile.”

About Marktlink Capital

Marktlink Capital is a Dutch investment company for entrepreneurs and private investors that offers access to renowned private equity and venture capital funds in Europe and North America through fund-of-funds and feeder funds. The team consists of approximately sixty employees with years of experience and specialist knowledge in investing in private equity and venture capital funds. Since its inception in 2020, more than €2.8 billion in committed capital has been raised, almost entirely from Dutch entrepreneurs and wealthy families. With a minimum investment of €250,000, Marktlink Capital aims to open up the private equity and venture capital market to a wider audience. Marktlink Capital is a subsidiary of Marktlink, which has been advising entrepreneurs on the sale or purchase of companies in the SME segment since 1996.

Investing involves risks. You may lose (part of) your investment. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Do not take unnecessary risks. Before investing, read the applicable fund documents. This message does not constitute an offer of securities.

Marktlink Capital closes registration for its second venture capital fund-of-funds at the maximum size of €80 million.

jaap@marktlinkcapital.com (Jaap Vriesendorp | Managing Partner) — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:16:21 GMT

Marktlink Capital has successfully closed registration for its second venture capital fund-of-funds in just six months, securing €80 million in capital from approximately 150 private investors. This second fund follows the success of the first fund, which launched in 2022 and was fully subscribed within six months. A significant portion of the private investors in the new fund also invested in the first fund, attracted by access to the top venture capital funds in Europe and North America.

Unicorns and trends

The strategy, size, and diversification of the funds in the second venture capital fund-of-funds are largely similar to those from 2022. The Marktlink Capital team selects funds that perform exceptionally well, based on extensive research. "There are thousands of VC funds, but only a few that consistently perform well," says Bouke Marsman, partner at Marktlink Capital. "In venture capital, good funds continue to perform well year after year. 85% of Unicorns (companies valued over a billion) are controlled by just 5% of the funds."

Marsman continues: "Only 0.5% of companies grow into Unicorns, but ten companies in our portfolio have reached that status. That’s relatively high, especially considering we've only been active for a year and a half. The results so far are in line with our expectations."

Marktlink Capital has also taken broader trends in the technological landscape into account when building its portfolio, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). Marsman explains: "Through investments in Saga Ventures, a fund specialized in AI and led by Max Altman, and in funds backing the European AI champion Mistral, we aim to reflect this trend in our portfolio."

Fourth private equity fund-of-funds

Coinciding with the closing of Venture Capital II, Marktlink Capital has also successfully closed its fourth private equity fund-of-funds, securing €300 million in commitments. "The quick closing of this fund and the fact that it was oversubscribed cannot be separated from the upward trend in fund-of-funds," says Marsman. "More and more successful entrepreneurs and family offices are viewing private markets as a valuable tool in their wealth planning. A significant portion of the investors in Marktlink Capital’s VC funds are also investing in the private equity fund-of-funds and the direct feeder funds, which invest in a single PE house, to achieve a strong balance of risk and return."

About Marktlink Capital

Marktlink Capital, formed from the merger of Marktlink Investment Partners and Welt Ventures, is an investment firm that provides entrepreneurs and private investors access to the best private equity and venture capital funds in Europe and North America. The team consists of approximately 35 specialists with extensive knowledge and experience in private equity and venture capital. To date, more than €1.5 billion in capital has been committed, almost entirely from Dutch entrepreneurs. Marktlink Capital was initiated by Marktlink, which has been advising entrepreneurs on the sale or purchase of businesses in the mid-market segment since 1996. With over 300 employees and 150 deals annually, Marktlink understands better than anyone how important private equity and venture capital are for the development and growth of companies.

Marktlink Investment Partners and Welt Ventures will continue together as Marktlink Capital

constanteyn@marktlinkcapital.com (Constanteyn Roelofs) — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:05:34 GMT

Marktlink Investment Partners and Welt Ventures will merge under the name Marktlink Capital from June 1, 2023. This fusion opens up new markets for individual investors. With Marktlink Capital, Dutch entrepreneurs and individuals can now turn to one central hub to invest in other entrepreneurs through the strongest private equity, growth equity, and venture capital funds in Europe and the US.

Marktlink Investment Partners and Welt Ventures share the same mission: assisting entrepreneurs in investing in the strongest private equity, growth equity, and venture capital funds. Jaap Vriesendorp, managing partner of Welt Ventures, and Bastiaan van Slobbe, managing partner of Marktlink Investment Partners, are delighted with the merger. Jaap: 'It offers our investors a multitude of possibilities. As Marktlink Capital, we can serve our investors even better and more comprehensively. They can now turn to one entity for investments in private equity, growth equity, and venture capital.' Bastiaan adds, 'We are also very pleased with this step forward. The merger brings together all our knowledge and expertise; as Marktlink Capital, we can continue to grow. Before the merger, we already collaborated closely, so this feels like a very natural next step.'

Access to the strongest funds in Europe and the US

As an individual entrepreneur, gaining access to the best funds is practically impossible. This could be due to the difficulty of analyzing the best funds or simply because the entry barrier is too high. However, through Marktlink Capital, this becomes possible. By bringing together a large group of investors in our funds, we collectively raise enough capital. As specialists in private markets, we have the expertise to select the best funds. We currently do this for over 600 investors in the Netherlands, who have collectively committed over EUR 700 million to our funds.

Investing in businesses: from startup to IPO

The consolidation of knowledge and resources from Marktlink Investment Partners and Welt Ventures presents opportunities for investors. You can invest with us in businesses from the startup phase to the IPO, allowing you to diversify your portfolio. This is a unique proposition in the Dutch market that has gained significant traction in recent years.

One team to better support investors

A broader team of partners and professionals also means that we can provide our investors with a higher level of service. With more points of contact and a broader knowledge base, we can offer even better (customised) solutions for new and existing investors. The investor events that were previously organised separately by Marktlink Investment Partners and Welt Ventures will now be jointly organised for our investors. This includes company visits, car rallies, and masterclasses. For our investors, this means more opportunities to exchange knowledge, skills, and networks with like-minded individuals.

Marktlink Capital strengthens team with three private bankers

constanteyn@marktlinkcapital.com (Constanteyn Roelofs) — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:02:39 GMT

Marktlink Investment Partners (MIP) strengthens its team with three private bankers from Rabobank who have earned their stripes in the affluent individuals and entrepreneurs target group. Raymond van Erven, William van Galen, and Henk van Middendorp will advise clients on participation in Private Equity and Venture Capital starting April 1. With this expansion, MIP aims to broaden its network among affluent individuals, entrepreneurs, family offices, and professionals.

"A trend is that Private Equity and Venture Capital are becoming an increasingly significant part of the overall investment strategy. As a result, there is a growing demand for direct investment opportunities such as Private Equity and Venture Capital. This is the reason for Marktlink Investment Partners to expand its proposition and relationship management.

Raymond van Erven and William van Galen have been involved as senior wealth managers with Rabobank since the 1990s. Henk van Middendorp worked at Rabobank as a manager of commercial relationships in the Rabo Schretlen Vermogensmanagement division. The trio has a background at Schretlen & Co."

Van Middendorp, on behalf of the trio, motivates the move: 'In our field, you want to build a personal relationship and together find the best fit for the client's investment needs. We all feel like entrepreneurs, and it's great to become part of a young and rapidly growing company where entrepreneurship is strongly encouraged and where personal contact is possible with a engaged network. There is increasing interest among investors in Private Equity and Venture Capital. We are fully empowered because, at Marktlink Investment Partners, we can take the time and space through personal contact to advise potential investors within the network on suitable funds.'

Hylke Hertoghs, Managing Partner at MIP, says: 'We are pleased to add Raymond, William, and Henk to our team. With their background, they have broad, all-around expertise in guiding affluent individuals and entrepreneurs. In addition to their years of experience in wealth issues and relationship management, they bring a vast business network of affluent investors, family offices, and accounting and tax advisory firms.'

Marktlink Investment Partners launched a new investment fund, Private Equity Fund III, at the end of last year. Similar to its predecessors, the fund invests in several prominent European Private Equity funds. The target size of the fund is EUR 100 million, with subscriptions exceeding EUR 50 million at the first closing. The fund is expected to remain open for subscriptions until May 2023.

Venture capital fund raises EUR 75 million

jaap@marktlinkcapital.com (Jaap Vriesendorp | Managing Partner) — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:02:00 GMT

After a successful launch of the Venture Capital fund Welt in May of last year, the final closing took place in the second week of 2023. The fund, a part of Marktlink, raised over EUR 75 million from entrepreneurs and individuals. The original fund target of EUR 75 million was reached six months earlier than expected, indicating significant interest in the fund.

Welt is the Venture Capital fund of funds of Marktlink Investment Partners. With Welt, we invest through carefully selected top Venture Capital funds, primarily in European technology companies. This creates a diversified portfolio of investments in more than three hundred startups and future 'unicorns' (startups that grow to a value of over one billion).

As a private investor, gaining access to top funds is typically practically impossible. Through Welt, this is now possible for entrepreneurs and individuals.

Fundraising faster than expected

Despite the current uncertain economic climate, fundraising for Welt proceeded much faster than anticipated. There was significant interest in the Venture Capital fund, which is not surprising given that the average annual returns of the European Venture Capital sector have been well above the stock market for years. Investors in Welt's Venture Capital fund are primarily entrepreneurs, business professionals, and family offices representing wealthy families.

Investing in leading tech companies

With Welt, we invest in leading technology companies primarily in Europe and North America. Through top Venture Capital funds, we invest in over three hundred young and high-performing technology companies, spanning various stages such as seed, early stage, and growth phase. These are the companies of the future, with approximately 80% of them being European.

Venture Capital: more risk, but also higher returns

In Venture Capital, you invest in young and fast-growing companies. The risk of a start-up failing is higher, but the average return is also higher. At Welt, we invest diversely in funds that differ significantly from each other. This significantly reduces the risk of losing (part of) the investment, while the expected return remains high. At Welt, we have access to top funds that achieve annual net returns of over 25-30%.

About Welt

Welt is a part of Marktlink Investment Partners and is led by Bouke Marsman and Jaap Vriesendorp. Previously, they were Junior Partners at McKinsey, responsible for the start-up and Venture Capital division of McKinsey in Europe. They have a strong network in the world of fast-growing technology companies and have collaborated with many funds. Bouke and Jaap are supported by a team of Venture partners and advisors.

Inspiring knowledge session during the Marktlink Connect entrepreneurial event

constanteyn@marktlinkcapital.com (Constanteyn Roelofs) — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 07:56:00 GMT

At the 8th edition of Marktlink Connect 2023, 600 Dutch entrepreneurs gathered at the Zandvoort circuit under the theme 'the ability to grow.' They convened to learn from success stories of fellow entrepreneurs. A tour through the pitlane to closely observe high-tech F1 cars and soak in the circuit's atmosphere was a must, eagerly anticipating Sunday's Dutch Grand Prix. Marktlink's team was readily available to address all queries regarding the buying and selling of companies.

It was a moment to reflect on Marktlink's growth in recent times at the 8th edition of Marktlink Connect 2023. Host Jort Kelder asked managing partner Tim van der Meer about the number of deals Marktlink had completed since last year. Proudly, the response was that 125 deals were closed last year, with an aim to reach 150 this year. Marktlink Capital, the investment arm, is thriving with EUR 800 million in committed capital, approaching the billion mark. The announcement of the registration for the new fund was met with pride.

Inspiring entrepreneurs shared their vision on entrepreneurship and the key lessons they have learned, drawing from both their successes and mistakes. In the plenary knowledge session, Dries Wajer discussed how he, along with his father, expanded a small shipyard, building a few captain's sloops per year, into the most sought-after brand in upscale marinas. Notably, with customers like King Willem-Alexander and American Football legend Tom Brady. The secret? Treating customers not just as boat buyers but as part of a community of Wajer owners, offering excellent maintenance service both in summer and winter.

During the knowledge session on investing in private equity and venture capital, David Sipkens from Mr. Marvis and Tom Peeters from Crisp shared their stories. They explained how external capital has assisted in elevating their brands. According to them, it's crucial to find the right partners willing to invest their capital to help entrepreneurs solve societal problems – whether broad in scope (as with Crisp: making groceries healthier and local) or specific (as with Mr. Marvis addressing the frustration many men share: why can't I find a good pair of shorts).

This day also addressed the war in Ukraine. Accountant and entrepreneur Olena Makeieva began her story by asking what we feel when we encounter a Ukrainian: fear, sympathy, sadness? She then shared the stories of some Ukrainian colleagues in business. How do you, for example, manage an energy company during a war where the energy infrastructure is constantly targeted? Or how do you keep a wine business afloat when your warehouse is destroyed in a rocket attack? Makeieva demonstrated that Ukrainians navigate through these challenges with great perseverance and creativity. Instead of feeling the mentioned negative emotions, she urged the audience to feel pride. Makeieva is involved with the Superheroes foundation, providing prosthetics for injured soldiers and civilians. She called on the audience to contribute to the foundation to help Ukrainians (if you haven't donated yet, now is the time).

Finally, Robert Doornbos, former F1 driver, took the stage. With a captivating story filled with humor and anecdotes from the cockpit, he unraveled the business and sporting logic of the sport. Above all, how did a relatively small privateer like Red Bull surpass all major and renowned racing teams? Doornbos revealed the winning formula involving excellent talent management, technological innovation, and massive data usage. The audience visibly reacted with surprise when Doornbos stated that it cost an estimated billion to make Max a world champion. However, Doornbos assured, the sponsors easily recoup the investment.

In conclusion, it was an inspiring day at Zandvoort, with much to discuss during the barbecue reception where connections were quickly established.