Funding and Growth Advice – A Refreshing Combination
HASSELT – Entrevest, a newly established private equity fund, has officially launched — and is celebrating with its first investment. Entrevest focuses on supporting innovative and sustainable growth companies in Belgium by offering a powerful combination of strategic advice and financial backing. Founded by a team of seasoned professionals and a growing group of entrepreneurs, the fund’s mission is to create a positive impact on both the economy and the environment.
A unique approach in the market
Officially established earlier this year, Entrevest brings together the strengths of committed investors and a professional private equity team. This unique model allows the fund to provide growth capital to early-stage businesses, with a specific focus on circular and ESG-driven initiatives.
Niels Diepvens, Founding Partner at Entrevest, explains: “It’s rare to see a firm that not only offers strategic advice with such hands-on involvement, but also combines this with the financial backing of private equity. That’s exactly what Entrevest does — which enables us to support companies at an earlier stage than many other investors.”
“Our name reflects our unique positioning: a blend of a professional investment team and experienced entrepreneurs. The individual investors behind the fund are themselves entrepreneurs or C-level executives, actively involved in supporting our portfolio companies — for example through biannual coaching events or topic-based workshops,” adds Diepvens.
Investing in innovation
Joery Lauwers, Managing Partner, continues: “We believe in the power of collaboration. Our aim is to help entrepreneurs realise their scale-up ambitions by providing not only the capital they need, but also hands-on guidance and expertise.”
Entrevest recently joined forces with multinational construction group Besix to complete its first €1 million investment in Bao Living — a Belgian company at the forefront of modular and circular building solutions. At least two additional investments are expected in the coming months, further expanding the fund’s engagement with innovative ventures.
Ambitions for large-scale growth
“Since our launch earlier this year, we’ve gained the trust of several well-known and experienced entrepreneurs as investors. With early support from individuals such as Joep Kempen (Cyclic Bike Lease), Sam Chartouni (Aerobel), Kenny Van Riel (Van Moer NV), Bob Serneels (Stepco/Trustteam) and Rudy Bonten (Archie.Energy), we’ve been able to hit the ground running,” says Diepvens.
“And the network is still growing. With this fund, we aim to complete at least 10 investments, each with a maximum initial investment of €1 million. Our goal is to raise at least €15 million in capital to support companies with international potential and a vision for a sustainable future. The expansion is well underway, and discussions with institutional investors are currently in progress.”
For more information:
Contactgegevens:
Niels Diepvens, +32 479 52 06 36, niels@entrevest.be
Joery Lauwers, +32 485 07 54 15, joery@entrevest.be