The story of Bart Boogaard
Bart sees the challenge for his generation to achieve the transition to a carbon-neutral economy. He has therefore deliberately chosen Invest-NL as his workplace.
As an Investment Associate, Bart actively seeks potentially impactful investments. Additionally, it is his task to evaluate incoming proposals for their financial viability, sufficient impact, and competitiveness within the respective market they target.
Bart completed a Master in Finance and a Master in Energy Economics in Groningen. He wrote his thesis on the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) during an internship at KPMG in the Corporate Finance department. After a six-month internship at a private equity firm in Amsterdam, he joined Invest-NL. Bart: “I was looking for an investment company with a focus on socially relevant sectors where I could contribute to society. Moreover, the world of Venture Capital appeals to me because you are right among the entrepreneurs. The fact that the entrepreneurs we work with at Invest-NL are all focused on a better and cleaner future also excites me. Additionally, my studies in Energy Economics have given me a strong connection to the energy transition. At Invest-NL, all these aspects come together beautifully.”
Bart believes that enormous and sizable investments are necessary to combat climate change: “The government plays an extremely important role in this. As a semi-public investment company, Invest-NL aligns well with my ideas on how to tackle climate change.”
You are given a lot of responsibility, are allowed to initiate new projects yourself, and will see an incredible amount.
With the choice for invest-NL, Bart remains satisfied: “From the start, there was a good feeling. The opportunities within Invest-NL surprised me the most. You are given a lot of responsibility, allowed to initiate new projects yourself, and see a great deal. I was also impressed by the willingness of the team to genuinely support and assist entrepreneurs. To my knowledge, this is the proof that impact is more important than making a profit.” Of course, the team of colleagues is very important. Bart: “They are all forward-looking, socially involved, entrepreneurial people. That is very educational and inspiring.”
Being proud of your work is important to Bart. “Absolutely. We ensure that technologies can be developed, which otherwise might not be possible without our help. That’s very cool. We invest in disruptive companies that can accelerate the energy transition.” There is also a link to his personal motivations: “Invest-NL gives me the opportunity to contribute socially on a professional level. You don't often find that in a company.”
Bart sees the challenge and actually also the duty for his generation to achieve the transition to a carbon-neutral economy: “We live in a time where, as young adults, we can and must make a difference. We need to seize the opportunities with both hands. My hope is that in 50 years, when I am really old, no more CO2 will be emitted and there will be no more ‘waste’. For my generation, it is therefore an incredible challenge to be part of this transition.”
Each point is a new point.
And that's not always easy. Bart: “Certainly not. But step by step, we keep making progress. In other words, every point is a new point. That's a wisdom I have learned from tennis; if one thing doesn't succeed, you must try just as hard the next time. This applies both to the innovative companies we encounter and the investments we pursue ourselves.”