The executive coaching industry in Benelux has gained momentum and now plays a crucial role in professional development across various sectors. Companies offering executive coaching services range from specialized firms to larger organizations that integrate these services into their HR and training departments. The emphasis is on personalized growth strategies, enhancing leadership skills, and addressing issues such as communication, team dynamics, and strategic thinking. Looking ahead, the demand for hybrid coaching solutions—blending in-person and digital tools—continues to rise, with a growing focus on mental well-being and resilience among executives as businesses adapt to a rapidly changing environment.


In 2024, the Benelux ecosystem saw a varied spectrum of investors in the executive coaching space. Major players included venture capital firms like Prosus Group and private equity firms like CVC, with activity centering predominantly in Amsterdam and Luxembourg. This list comprises 15 investors founded between 1898 and 2019, with 1 to over 10,000 employees. Notably, these investors collectively made 115 targeted investments, indicating strong interest in enhancing skill development and business leadership across the region.


Top 15 Executive Coaching Investors in Benelux


1. Brighteye Ventures


Brighteye Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Luxembourg, founded in 2017, specializing in Edtech investments. The firm supports early-stage Edtech startups by providing funding, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry experts. Their focus is on helping these companies refine their products and scale effectively in the educational technology sector. Notable transactions include their investment in Skiller Whale, which raised $2.9M to develop an online live training platform that emphasizes on-job learning and micro-coaching for developers. Additionally, they invested in Coachbetter, a SportTech startup that completed a $2.9M Seed-Plus round, aiming to enhance coaching technology for sports professionals. These investments highlight Brighteye's commitment to fostering innovative coaching solutions within the educational 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 education sector, particularly in companies that provide executive education and professional development. For instance, they participated in funding rounds for Eruditus Executive Education, raising substantial amounts to support its growth in the executive education space. Additionally, their investment in Emeritus, which focuses on upskilling and professional development, further underscores their commitment to enhancing educational offerings. Prosus also acquired a majority stake in GoodHabitz, an edtech company that provides online training and courses, further solidifying their position in the education technology market.


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, it focuses on independent journalism and diverse media services while also investing in innovative technology solutions. The firm has made significant investments in the executive coaching and leadership development sector, including Bunch AI, which raised $2.2 million in seed funding to develop a mobile app aimed at teaching leadership skills to younger generations. Additionally, Mediahuis participated in a $38 million Series C funding round for Lepaya, a Netherlands-based learning and development technology provider that specializes in power skill training. These investments highlight Mediahuis's strategic interest in fostering leadership and coaching capabilities through technology.


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 acquisitions to enhance its service offerings, such as the acquisition of RiseSmart in 2015 for USD 100 million, which bolstered their portfolio in outplacement services, a key area that intersects with executive coaching. Additionally, their involvement with Pymetrics, which raised significant funding in 2016 and 2017, highlights their commitment to innovative HR solutions that can support executive coaching methodologies. These transactions reflect Randstad's dedication to improving workforce management and development, making them a relevant player in the executive coaching landscape.


5. Endeit Capital


Endeit Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, specializing in growth capital investments for European tech scale-ups. Founded in 2006, the firm focuses on sectors such as AI, fintech, and climate tech, providing strategic support and portfolio management to entrepreneurs. Notably, Endeit Capital has made significant investments in companies relevant to the executive coaching industry, including Sharpist, which raised approximately €20.29M in Series A funding to enhance its coaching services, and Lepaya, a Netherlands-based L&D technology provider that secured $38 million in Series C funding for power skill training. These investments highlight Endeit's commitment to fostering innovative solutions that support professional development and coaching, making them a relevant player in the executive coaching landscape.


6. 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 firm based in The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in enterprise software investments, providing strategic guidance and capital to software businesses across various sectors, including healthcare and finance. Notably, Main Capital has made significant strides in the HR-Tech software industry, with multiple acquisitions that enhance talent management and assessment capabilities. For instance, their acquisition of Assessio, a Stockholm-based developer of a SaaS solution for talent assessments, and TMA, a Dutch talent management company, highlights their focus on improving human capital development. These investments reflect Main Capital's commitment to fostering growth and innovation in sectors that are integral to executive coaching and leadership development.


7. 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 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 various sectors, including a notable acquisition of Alix Partners, a consulting firm known for its expertise in performance improvement and turnaround strategies, in 2012. In 2019, they acquired Teneo, a global CEO advisory firm, which provides strategic counsel to executives and organizations, further emphasizing their interest in leadership and executive development. More recently, in 2024, CVC acquired a majority stake in House of Talents, a company focused on talent management and interim staffing, which aligns closely with the executive coaching industry. This acquisition aims to accelerate the company's international growth, indicating CVC's commitment to investing in human capital and organizational effectiveness.


8. 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 addressing significant social and environmental challenges. Their investment areas include clean energy, mental health, and education, emphasizing collaboration with portfolio companies. Notably, Rubio has invested in OpenUp, an online mental healthcare provider, and Cleverly, a Berlin-based EdTech startup that offers 1-to-1 online coaching for kids. They also supported Winc Academy, which prepares adults for tech careers, further showcasing their commitment to educational initiatives. These transactions highlight Rubio's engagement in sectors that are closely related to executive coaching, particularly in mental health and educational coaching contexts.


9. 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. In 2022, Fortino Capital led a €9M Series B funding round for MobieTrain, a mobile micro-learning platform aimed at enhancing workplace learning, which could be relevant to executive coaching by facilitating skill development. They also participated in a Series A funding round for TechWolf, a Belgian HR platform focused on skills infrastructure, which aligns with workforce development and could support executive coaching initiatives. Their investment strategy indicates a focus on innovative solutions that enhance learning and development in professional settings, making them a potential player in the executive coaching landscape.


10. 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, providing funding and tailored support programs to early-stage startups that address social and environmental challenges. LUMO Labs has been involved in several notable transactions, including a €1 million investment in Enliven, a startup focused on XR-based empathy training, which is highly relevant to the executive coaching field. Additionally, they supported FruitPunch AI, which aims to develop platforms that could potentially enhance training and coaching experiences. Their investments reflect a commitment to fostering innovation in areas that can intersect with executive coaching practices.


11. Sofina

  • Website: sofinagroup.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1898
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: sofina

Sofina is a Brussels-based investment company founded in 1898, specializing in providing patient capital to growing businesses across various sectors, including telecommunications, consumer goods, and energy. The firm partners with entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, offering strategic advice and long-term investment solutions to foster sustainable growth. Notably, Sofina led a $200M Series C funding round for CoachHub, a Berlin-based digital coaching platform, alongside other prominent investors like SoftBank Vision Fund 2. This investment highlights Sofina's active role in the executive coaching industry, as CoachHub aims to scale its product innovation and operations, further emphasizing the firm's commitment to supporting businesses that enhance professional development and coaching.


12. MPA Capital

  • Website: mpa.capital
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn: mpaeducation

MPA Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 2019. The firm specializes in supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs and companies that tackle the human talent shortage. MPA Capital provides both investment and consultancy services, particularly in the EdTech sector, aiming to enhance workforce engagement and promote lifelong learning opportunities. Their clients include businesses and organizations that are navigating labor and skills shortages. Notably, MPA Capital has been involved in transactions such as InsideOut, which raised an undisclosed amount in a Pre-Seed round in July 2019, and Lifeed, which raised approximately $954,413 in a Seed round around the same time. These investments reflect MPA Capital's commitment to fostering innovative solutions that can support executive coaching and professional development.


13. 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 primarily 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 that seek capital to scale their operations. Notably, Inventures has invested in myskillcamp, which raised $14,248,025 in a Series A round in September 2021, indicating a strong interest in platforms that facilitate learning and skills development. They also participated in the seed rounds for Domoscio, a company that raised funds in 2015 and 2016, which specializes in adaptive learning technologies. These investments highlight Inventures' commitment to supporting educational initiatives that can enhance professional development and coaching. Additionally, they were involved in a Series A financing round for AproPLAN, a construction tech company, showcasing their diverse investment portfolio while still maintaining a focus on impactful ventures.


14. Inzet


Inzet, operating under Shaping Impact Group, is a corporate impact investment firm based in the Netherlands, founded in 2019. The firm specializes in fund management and consulting services aimed at maximizing social impact. They assist wealthy individuals and organizations in navigating the impact investing landscape, providing support for social enterprises and promoting community engagement. In 2021, Inzet made a significant investment in Inuka Coaching, raising $1,000,000 in a seed round. This investment highlights their commitment to supporting initiatives that foster personal and professional development, particularly in the executive coaching space. By focusing on creating sustainable solutions to social challenges through strategic investments, Inzet demonstrates a broader interest in sectors that contribute to social betterment, including executive coaching.


15. Horizon Flevoland

  • Website: horizonflevoland.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Lelystad, Flevoland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: horizonflevoland

Horizon Flevoland is a not-for-profit regional development organization based in Lelystad, Flevoland, Netherlands, founded in 2019. The organization is dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region by providing financial assistance, business advisory services, and connecting entrepreneurs with experts to foster innovation and growth. Horizon Flevoland focuses on various sectors, including agriculture and renewable energy, helping businesses navigate challenges and seize opportunities for sustainable development. Notably, in May 2023, Horizon Flevoland participated in a seed round investment for Inuka Coaching, a company specializing in executive coaching. This transaction highlights their engagement in the coaching industry, showcasing their commitment to supporting businesses that contribute to personal and professional development.



Executive Coaching 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
Endeit CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020061
Main Capital PartnersThe Hague, South Holland, Netherlands51-200200316
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
Rubio Impact VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands1-10201413
Fortino CapitalAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium11-5020139
LUMO LabsEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands11-5020165
SofinaBrussels, Brussels, Belgium51-20018984
MPA CapitalBrussels, Brussels, Belgium1-1020190
Inventures Investment Partners, impact Venture CapitalBelgium1-1020120
InzetNetherlands1-1020193
Horizon FlevolandLelystad, Flevoland, Netherlands11-5020191


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