As one of the founders, Bastiaan van Slobbe laid the foundation for Marktlink Capital in 2020. Together with the other managing partners, he leads the team.
What exactly does your role as a partner at Marktlink Capital involve? As a partner, I am responsible for further building and steering Marktlink Capital as an investment platform. I combine strategic decision-making with day-to-day operations: guiding investments and activating our network of entrepreneurs. On a daily basis, I focus on strengthening our position in the market. Maintaining oversight, providing direction, and ensuring that the team can perform at its best are at the core of my role.
What drives you, what is your background, and where do you get energy from in your work? I am driven by helping entrepreneurs and their companies grow. My background lies at the intersection of finance and entrepreneurship. I also have experience in scaling businesses. I mainly get energy from working together with ambitious colleagues and entrepreneurs.
Can you tell us more about the culture and working atmosphere at Marktlink Capital? The culture is entrepreneurial, direct, and results-oriented, but always with a strong team focus. Everyone takes responsibility, thinks along, and seizes opportunities as soon as they arise. We work hard, but there is also plenty of room for humor and individual initiative. Even though we operate in a serious sector and do serious work, we remain down-to-earth and approachable.
What has surprised you most in building the team? The speed at which talent develops and takes on responsibility. From the start, it was clear that we needed to build a strong foundation, but the level of ownership and eagerness to learn within the team has positively surprised me. People grow faster than expected when you give them trust and clear direction.
Investor Community: how does your work contribute to the investor experience? My work contributes to the Investor Community by building an active entrepreneurial network where investors can meet each other. We organize dozens of events each year, ranging from company visits and content-driven sessions to sports activities. At our events, they can share knowledge and gain inspiration. In this way, we create an environment where entrepreneurs not only invest, but also benefit from each other’s experience and network.
How do you ensure that your team members continue to develop? And how have you developed yourself in recent years? I encourage ownership, provide ample room for responsibility, and ensure that people have access to the right guidance and knowledge. Regular feedback is essential. I try to coach my colleagues and make sure they are sufficiently challenged. For myself, over the past few years I have mainly learned to switch more quickly between strategy and operations, to delegate more effectively, and to continue building a culture in which people can truly excel.
