The land surveying industry in Benelux plays a crucial role in shaping infrastructure and environmental projects. Companies range from multinational corporations to innovative startups, providing services such as geospatial data analysis, 3D mapping, and geotechnical studies. As technology rapidly evolves, the sector is increasingly adopting advanced tools like drones and LiDAR to enhance accuracy and efficiency. Sustainability is also gaining importance, with many firms focusing on environmentally responsible surveying techniques. The industry is poised for growth, driven by ongoing investments and the demand for detailed land assessments, especially in construction and urban planning.


The list of investors in this article showcases a mix of corporate entities and private equity firms, primarily based in the Netherlands and Belgium. These firms range in size from 11 to over 10,000 employees and were founded between 1944 and 2016, highlighting decades of expertise in their sectors. In 2024, these noteworthy investors participated in numerous deals, with some like the European Investment Bank strategically focusing on advancements in technology relevant to land surveying, while others emphasized environmental contributions.


Top 12 Land Surveying Investors in Benelux


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC also provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in diverse sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in significant transactions such as the Series B funding round for Wingtra, a Swiss-based VTOL drone manufacturer, which raised $22 million to enhance its global operations. This investment is particularly relevant to the land surveying industry, as Wingtra's drones are designed for aerial mapping and surveying applications. Additionally, the EIC has supported other companies like AISPECO and Xenomatix through grants, further demonstrating its commitment to advancing innovative technologies that can impact various sectors, including land surveying.


2. Boskalis

  • Website: boskalis.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Papendrecht, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1910
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: boskalis

Boskalis Westminster N.V. is a logistics and marine services company based in Papendrecht, South Holland, Netherlands, specializing in dredging and the maintenance of maritime infrastructure. Founded in 1910, the company has grown to employ over 10,000 people and has made significant investments in the land surveying sector. Notably, in 2014, Boskalis acquired a 14.8% stake in Fugro, a leading global geotechnical and subsea services provider, which highlights their interest in the geotechnical aspects of land surveying. In 2017, they further expanded their capabilities by acquiring the UK-based Gardline Group for approximately £40 million, allowing them to enter the offshore survey market. Additionally, their acquisition of Horizon Geosciences in 2019 further solidified their position in the geotechnical and surveying space. These strategic moves indicate Boskalis's commitment to enhancing their surveying capabilities alongside their core maritime services.


3. Fugro

  • Website: fugro.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Leidschendam, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1962
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: fugro

Fugro NV is a corporate investor based in Leidschendam, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 1962. The company specializes in geotechnical services and offers a comprehensive range of Geo-data solutions, including surveying, environmental assessments, and geotechnical investigations, primarily serving clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Fugro has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities in the land surveying domain. Notable transactions include the acquisition of William Lettis & Associates in 2007, which bolstered their geotechnical consultancy and geohazards practices. Additionally, Fugro acquired RailData BV in 2014, VIB-Weinhold in 2009, Pavement Management Services in 2008, and Loadtest in 2009, all of which contribute to their expertise in surveying and related services. With a global presence and a commitment to utilizing advanced technology, Fugro supports safe and sustainable project development across various sectors.


4. Triton Partners


Triton Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in private equity and credit investments in European mid-market businesses, focusing on sectors such as Business Services, Industrial Tech, and Healthcare. Triton provides operational expertise and capital to help companies unlock their full potential, partnering with management teams to address challenges and drive growth. Notably, Triton has made significant investments in companies relevant to the land surveying industry, including DYWIDAG-Systems International, a leading systems supplier in civil engineering and underground construction, which often requires land surveying services. Additionally, their acquisition of Mark & Energibyggarna, a company specializing in infrastructure construction, further highlights their engagement in sectors where land surveying is critical. Their strategic investments in these areas position them as a potential investor in the land surveying industry.


5. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, founded in 1958, that provides financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services to support sustainable projects across various sectors. EIB's clientele includes both public and private organizations seeking funding for initiatives that promote growth and job creation. In recent years, EIB has made significant investments in technology companies relevant to land surveying. For instance, it provided €20 million in funding to NavVis, a company focused on reality capture and visual positioning technologies, which are essential for modern land surveying practices. Additionally, EIB supported Blickfeld with €15 million in debt financing for the development of LiDAR sensors, which are crucial for accurate land measurement and mapping. These transactions highlight EIB's commitment to fostering innovation in the land surveying field, making it a relevant investor in this category.


6. Gimv

  • Website: gimv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: gimv

Gimv is a venture capital investment firm based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1980. The firm partners with innovative companies across various sectors, including Consumer, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Smart Industries, and Sustainable Cities. Gimv provides investment management and strategic support to help businesses grow sustainably, primarily targeting entrepreneurial companies seeking capital and expertise to navigate market challenges. Notably, Gimv has made several acquisitions relevant to the land surveying context, including:1. **Luciad** - Acquired on June 20, 2013, Luciad specializes in geospatial software, which is directly applicable to land surveying and mapping technologies.2. **Keil & Purkl** - Acquired on September 12, 2023, this civil engineering specialist is involved in projects that often require land surveying expertise.3. **Verkley** - Acquired on March 17, 2021, Verkley focuses on underground energy and water cable and pipeline services, which often necessitate land surveying for planning and execution.These transactions highlight Gimv's engagement in sectors that intersect with land surveying, making them a relevant investor in this field.


7. ABO-Group Environment

  • Website: abo-group.eu
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ghent, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: abo-group

ABO-Group Environment is a corporate investor based in Ghent, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1995. The company specializes in environmental consulting and geotechnical engineering, providing a range of services including soil studies, contamination remediation, and stability assessments. They primarily serve businesses and organizations in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. In 2024, ABO-Group Environment acquired Infrabureau Demey, a family business focused on soil, archaeology, and geotechnics, to enhance synergies in these areas. Additionally, in 2021, they acquired SAS Geosonic France, which strengthens their position in the European market for soil studies and geothermal research. These transactions highlight their commitment to expanding their expertise in fields closely related to land surveying.


8. Unknown Campus

  • Website: unknowngroup.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2008
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: unknowngroup

Unknown Campus is a venture capital firm based in The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2008. The firm focuses on supporting entrepreneurs and startups in scaling their impact-driven solutions across various industries. They provide funding, consulting, and a collaborative environment through their impact hub, Titaan. In the context of land surveying, Unknown Campus has made notable investments, including a growth equity investment in Terra Motion, a UK-based environmental land motion survey provider, aimed at global expansion and technological advancements in land motion and climate products. Additionally, they participated in a seed round for Geospatial Insight, further emphasizing their commitment to the geospatial and surveying sectors. Their diverse portfolio reflects a strong interest in addressing global challenges through innovative solutions.


9. Convent Capital

  • Website: conventcapital.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: convent-capital

Convent Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, specializing in sustainable investments and growth capital for small to medium-sized enterprises in the Benelux region. Founded in 2011, the firm focuses on innovative companies, particularly in the AgriFood sector. Notably, Convent Capital has made strategic acquisitions in the engineering space, including the acquisition of Dijkstra Groep in January 2023, which allows for collaboration with other engineering firms such as Zonneveld Ingenieurs and Ingenieursbureau Ulehake. This buy-and-build strategy aims to create a leading group in software-driven engineering services, which is closely related to land surveying. Their involvement in these transactions highlights their commitment to enhancing sustainability and growth in sectors that intersect with land surveying.


10. Cobepa

  • Website: cobepa.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1957
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: cobepa

Cobepa is a private equity investment company based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 1957. It specializes in providing investment management and strategic support to enhance the growth and sustainability of its partner businesses. Cobepa operates with a permanent capital base, allowing it to invest across a diverse range of industries, including healthcare and industrial sectors. Notably, Cobepa acquired SOCOTEC on February 8, 2013, a company that provides testing, inspection, and certification services, which encompasses land surveying. Additionally, Cobepa was involved in a funding round for Van Oord, a company that operates in the maritime sector, which may also intersect with land surveying activities in coastal and marine environments. These transactions highlight Cobepa's strategic investments in sectors that are relevant to land surveying.


11. Forward Venture Capital

  • Website: forwardvc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: forwardventurecapital

Forward Venture Capital is a venture capital firm based in The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in supporting early-stage entrepreneurs by providing both investment and guidance to accelerate their growth. They focus on various sectors, including digital commerce and SaaS. In recent transactions, Forward Venture Capital participated in a Series A funding round for Niricson, a Canadian tech company that raised over $10M CAD to develop AI-driven predictive analytics for managing critical infrastructure assets. This technology could have applications in land surveying, as it relates to managing and analyzing land and infrastructure data. Additionally, Forward Venture Capital has been involved in earlier funding rounds for Niricson, indicating a sustained interest in the company's growth. However, their other investments, such as in Yaak Technologies, a driver coaching platform, suggest a broader focus that may not be specifically aligned with land surveying.


12. Lrm

  • Website: lrm.be
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: lrmnv

LRM is an investment company founded in 1994, based in Hasselt, Flanders, Belgium. It focuses on sustainable economic growth in the Limburg region by providing financing and expertise to startups, scale-ups, and mature companies. LRM is involved in various sectors, including real estate development and the reconversion of old mining sites, contributing to the region's economic ecosystem. One notable transaction is their investment in Aerial Precision, which raised $757,781 in a seed round on August 25, 2022. Aerial Precision operates in the field of aerial surveying, which aligns with land surveying activities, showcasing LRM's engagement in this area, albeit as part of a broader investment strategy.



Land Surveying Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
BoskalisPapendrecht, South Holland, Netherlands10001+19102
FugroLeidschendam, South Holland, Netherlands10001+19620
Triton PartnersLuxembourg201-50019976
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
GimvAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20019808
ABO-Group EnvironmentGhent, Flanders, Belgium501-100019952
Unknown CampusThe Hague, South Holland, Netherlands51-20020082
Convent CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands1-1020112
CobepaBrussels, Brussels, Belgium11-5019572
Forward Venture CapitalThe Hague, South Holland, Netherlands1-1020162
LrmHasselt, Flanders, Belgium51-20019941


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