The leadership development training industry in Benelux is dynamic, showcasing a mix of innovative companies dedicated to enhancing workforce capabilities. With a growing emphasis on skill-building and organizational growth, firms offer tailored programs in coaching, mentoring, and online learning. Many organizations now integrate technology, such as AI and virtual reality, into their training methods, creating more immersive and effective learning experiences. The industry's trajectory points towards increased investment in digital solutions that promote lifelong learning, indicating a robust demand for services aimed at developing future leaders in various sectors, from corporate environments to SMEs.


The investor landscape in the Benelux region is characterized by a blend of corporate, venture capital, and private equity firms, each with a unique investment approach. These entities, headquartered in locations like Amsterdam and Brussels, vary in size and establishment—from small firms founded in the last decade to large corporations with over 10,000 employees. In 2024, these investors actively engaged in 57 deals, demonstrating a strong commitment to funding leadership development initiatives. Their strategic investments target innovative companies, reflecting a shared goal of fostering talent training and organizational leadership growth.


Top 14 Leadership Development Training Investors in Benelux


1. Brighteye Ventures


Brighteye Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Luxembourg, founded in 2017, that specializes in early-stage Edtech investments. The firm supports startups by providing funding, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry experts, focusing on refining products and scaling effectively in the educational technology sector. Notably, Brighteye Ventures has invested in Skiller Whale, a platform that offers hands-on micro-coaching for developers, emphasizing on-job learning, which is crucial for leadership development. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for Ironhack, a company that provides corporate training and development programs aimed at re-skilling and onboarding junior talent. These transactions highlight Brighteye's commitment to enhancing educational and training solutions, making them a significant player in the leadership development training landscape.


2. Prosus Group

  • Website: prosus.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: prosus-group

Prosus Group is a global technology investor and operator based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, focused on enhancing everyday life through technology. Founded in 2019, the firm operates across various sectors, including online classifieds, food delivery, payments, and notably, education technology. Prosus has made significant investments in the leadership development training context, including a $170 million investment in SkillSoft, a leader in corporate learning and development. Additionally, they have invested $220 million in Eruditus Executive Education, which specializes in providing high-quality executive education programs. Their participation in the $650 million Series E funding round for Emeritus, an upskilling company, further underscores their commitment to education and leadership development. Furthermore, Prosus acquired a majority stake in GoodHabitz, a Dutch edtech company focused on online training and development, for approximately €212 million, aiming to support its expansion into new markets. These transactions highlight Prosus's strategic focus on fostering leadership and professional growth through technology-driven education solutions.


3. Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio


Mediahuis Technology & Product Studio is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. As part of the Mediahuis media group, which operates across Europe, the firm focuses on independent journalism and diverse media services, including digital marketplaces and recruitment technology solutions. In the context of leadership development training, Mediahuis has made significant investments in companies such as Bunch AI, which raised $2.2 million in seed funding to develop a mobile app that teaches leadership skills to younger generations. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Lepaya, a Netherlands-based L&D technology provider that secured $38 million in Series C funding, further emphasizing their commitment to supporting leadership and skills training initiatives. These investments highlight Mediahuis's strategic interest in fostering leadership development through innovative technology solutions.


4. Randstad

  • Website: randstad.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Diemen, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1960
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: randstad

Randstad NV, founded in 1960 and based in Diemen, North Holland, Netherlands, is a leading staffing agency specializing in human resource consulting and workforce management. With over 10,000 employees, Randstad offers a comprehensive range of services including temporary and permanent staffing, HR support, and advisory consulting. Their clientele spans various industries, focusing on effective talent acquisition and workforce solutions. Notably, Randstad has made strategic investments in companies that align with leadership development, such as Pymetrics, which raised significant funding to enhance its platform for talent assessment and development. Additionally, Randstad's acquisition of RiseSmart for USD 100 million in 2015 allowed them to integrate innovative technology-led solutions in outplacement services, further positioning them in the global HR services landscape. These transactions reflect Randstad's commitment to fostering leadership capabilities and supporting workforce development.


5. Rubio Impact Ventures


Rubio Impact Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in impact investing, providing growth capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs who are focused on addressing significant social and environmental challenges. Their investment areas include clean energy, mental health, and education, emphasizing collaboration and partnership with their portfolio companies. Notably, Rubio Impact Ventures has invested in Winc Academy, which raised $3 million to scale operations and prepare adults for tech careers, highlighting their commitment to educational initiatives. They also invested in OpenUp, an online mental healthcare provider, which, while primarily focused on mental health, contributes to the overall well-being and development of individuals, indirectly supporting leadership development. These transactions reflect their active role in sectors that contribute to leadership training and development.


6. Fortino Capital


Fortino Capital is a venture capital and growth equity firm based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in investing in B2B software companies, providing both funding and strategic support to help these businesses grow and scale effectively. Notably, Fortino Capital has invested in MobieTrain, a mobile micro-learning platform that focuses on enhancing workplace learning, which is directly relevant to leadership development training. They also participated in funding rounds for TechWolf, a company that develops AI-driven HR solutions, indicating their interest in technologies that support skills development and training. Overall, Fortino Capital's portfolio reflects a commitment to innovative learning and development solutions, making them a significant player in the leadership development training space.


7. Endeit Capital


Endeit Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2006. The firm specializes in growth capital investments for European tech scale-ups, focusing on sectors such as AI, fintech, and climate tech. Endeit Capital provides strategic support and portfolio management to entrepreneurs, facilitating their growth through expertise and resources. Notably, Endeit Capital has invested in Lepaya, a Netherlands-based learning and development technology provider that secured $38 million in Series C funding, highlighting their commitment to the leadership development training sector. Additionally, they co-led a funding round for Sharpist, a company focused on personal and professional development, further emphasizing their engagement in this industry.


8. Main Capital Partners

  • Website: main.nl
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: main-capital-partners-bv

Main Capital Partners is a private equity investment firm based in The Hague, Netherlands, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in enterprise software and focuses on providing strategic guidance and investment to software businesses across various sectors, including healthcare and finance. In recent years, Main Capital has made significant investments in the HR-Tech software industry, acquiring companies such as TMA, a Dutch talent management company known for its integrated talent management platform, and Assessio, a Stockholm-based developer of a SaaS solution for talent assessments. These acquisitions reflect Main Capital's commitment to supporting growth and innovation in the leadership development training space, as they provide essential tools for organizations to enhance their talent management and leadership capabilities.


9. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent private equity investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. CVC has made significant investments in the education sector, notably acquiring Multiversity Group, an online education provider, for approximately 1 billion euros. This acquisition highlights CVC's commitment to educational initiatives, which often include leadership development training. Additionally, CVC's investment in Unily, a platform focused on employee experience, further emphasizes their interest in enhancing workplace dynamics and leadership capabilities. These transactions reflect CVC's strategic approach to delivering sustainable value and growth through investments that can foster leadership development.


10. Exor N.V.

  • Website: exor.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 26
  • LinkedIn: exor_2

Exor N.V. is a holding company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2009. It operates across various sectors, including automotive, healthcare, and media, and manages a diverse portfolio of companies such as Ferrari, Stellantis, and Philips. Exor focuses on enhancing value through strategic investments and operational support. Notably, Exor has participated in funding rounds for companies like Galena, which raised significant capital to help young people enter the labor market, and Anthropos, which is in the early stages of development. These investments indicate Exor's interest in initiatives that align with leadership development and talent acquisition, showcasing their commitment to fostering growth and innovation in the workforce.


11. LUMO Labs

  • Website: lumolabs.io
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: lumo-labs

LUMO Labs is a venture capital firm based in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in impact-driven investments in emerging technologies, focusing on social and environmental challenges. LUMO Labs provides funding and tailored support programs to early-stage startups, particularly in the technology sector, including areas such as AI and Blockchain. Among their notable transactions, LUMO Labs invested in Enliven, a startup that raised €1 million for XR-based empathy training, which is crucial for leadership development. They also invested in Chunkx, a startup utilizing AI to enhance learning experiences, targeting both businesses and educational institutions, which can play a significant role in leadership training. These investments reflect LUMO Labs' commitment to fostering innovation in areas that support leadership development and training.


12. Inventures Investment Partners, impact Venture Capital


Inventures Investment Partners is an impact venture capital firm based in Belgium, founded in 2012. The firm manages funds aimed at generating both financial and social returns, investing in early-stage and scale-up companies that tackle societal challenges. Their investment strategy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on innovative startups seeking capital to scale their operations. Notably, they participated in the Series A funding of myskillcamp, which raised over $14 million in September 2021, a platform dedicated to skills development and training. Additionally, they were involved in the funding rounds for Domoscio, a company that specializes in adaptive learning technologies, and Go Vocal, which focuses on communication skills. These transactions highlight their engagement in sectors that contribute to leadership development and training.


13. CapitalT

  • Website: capitaltvc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: capitalt

CapitalT is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in seed-stage investments in technology companies, providing funding and strategic guidance to help entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. CapitalT focuses on innovative solutions across various tech sectors, including climate tech and the future of work. Notably, they have invested in companies like Audvice, which is a female-founded tech startup that closed its first VC financing round with CapitalT's support, indicating a commitment to empowering diverse leadership. Additionally, their investment in SwipeGuide, which aims to enhance operational efficiency through technology, aligns with the principles of leadership development by improving team performance and knowledge sharing.


14. Peak

  • Website: peak.capital
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2008
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: peak-capital

Peak Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2008. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies within the SaaS, marketplace, and platform sectors, providing funding and support to help these businesses scale and succeed. In 2021 and 2023, Peak Capital invested in Whale, a knowledge and training platform for SMEs, which raised €1 million and €2.5 million respectively. This investment highlights Peak's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the leadership development training space. Additionally, they have invested in AG5, a SaaS platform that focuses on skills management, which is also relevant to leadership development. Peak Capital operates primarily in Europe, focusing on backing innovative founders and leveraging their experience as former entrepreneurs to foster growth in their portfolio companies.



Leadership Development Training Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Brighteye VenturesLuxembourg1-1020177
Prosus GroupAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands10001+201921
Mediahuis Technology & Product StudioAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands201-50020205
RandstadDiemen, North Holland, Netherlands10001+19601
Rubio Impact VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands1-10201413
Fortino CapitalAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium11-5020139
Endeit CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020061
Main Capital PartnersThe Hague, South Holland, Netherlands51-200200316
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
Exor N.V.Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50200926
LUMO LabsEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands11-5020165
Inventures Investment Partners, impact Venture CapitalBelgium1-1020120
CapitalTAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands1-1020205
PeakAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020088


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