Ponooc Ponooc

Investing in a sustainable future

Get to know us
WHAT WE DO

Amsterdam based venture capital and growth financing

A Sustainable Future

The earth’s natural resources are finite. We believe that the solutions to these serious problems our generation is facing are within the scope of business driven innovation. Therefore, we invest in companies that innovate their way into a sustainable future.

Energy and Mobility

Ponooc’s venture capital fund provides growth capital to start-ups and scale-ups with a focus on sustainable energy or mobility solutions. We have a track record when it comes to energy related investments and an extensive network which we can leverage in the mobility industry. Exceptional opportunities which do not fit with these themes may be considered.

A Proactive Shareholder

Ponooc aims to be a proactive shareholder. Our objective is to obtain a relevant minority stake. We commit to stay aboard as long as we continue to add value to the venture. We believe our knowledge, network, and investment can make a difference, both for the venture and in the energy transition.

About Ponooc

Latest News

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Essent acquires VandeBron

Essent has acquired its fellow utility company Vandebron for an undisclosed amount, the fact hat Vandebron was for sale was public information. Vandebron connects households and companies with local energy producers –…

RelyOn Nutec acquires Rider

The RelyOn Nutec Group (via P-Holding RelyOn Nutec A/S) announced the acquisition of Rider International B.V. from Ponooc. Rider International B.V. is the company behind the advanced workforce performance platform called ‘Rider’. This…

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Organisations we helped grow

Take a look at our Ventures.

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Our team

Friso Bensdorp

Investment Director

Maurits Koning

Investment Director

Max van Zoest

Investment Associate

Steven Uitentuis

Venture Director

Rui Li
Rui Li

Investment Manager

Meet our team members

Rui Li

Studies / Background
I studied Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology, with a Masters in Strategic Product Design. Few years later I also got my MBA at INSEAD.

Why Ponooc?
Earlier I’ve worked for McKinsey and a fast paced scale-up in the bicycle industry. While I loved both, they both had things I liked that the other didn’t have. At Ponooc I find the best of both worlds: Intellectually challenging and fast paced work in an environment where both ventures and people grow.

Most important Ponooc principle
We are in this together

Skiing or snowboarding?
Proud self taught skier (lots of speed but no elegance whatsoever)

Hobbies or interests?
I am a fanatic DJ and used to perform for large crowds. Absolutely loved it, but it wasn’t sustainable to be a night owl too often. Another thing I like to do is to fully dedicate myself to a (sportive) challenge without any prior experience in it, like doing a full Iron Man triathlon. But it doesn’t always need to be extreme. I really enjoy cooking as well, and having a nice beer(s)/wine(s) with friends.

I live together with?
My girlfriend Sophia, my daughter Maya, and our oversized cats Stekker and Binkie

I learn by
Reading, doing, and a lot of reverse engineering. Not necessarily in this order.

My worst habit is
I laugh about my own jokes..

Steven Uitentuis

Studies / Background
I have my Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering at the TUDelft, with an exchange program of business adaministration at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. I completed my Master at Mechnical Engineering faculty in Production Engineering & Logistics.

Why Ponooc?
Why not?

Most important Ponooc principle
We are dedicated and follow through.
Starting is easy. Completing is difficult. I believe that you have to be fully dedicated to be successful.

First job
Restocking in a supermarket since I was 12 years old. But shout out to selling Ice cream on a boat on the lakes, which was the best paid activity ever.

Skiing or snowboarding?
In case of fresh powpow: snowboarding, but on slope: Skiing

Hobbies or interests?
I’m a big fan of croissants with butter & Hagelslag but I’m passionate about road cycling and like to run for a couple of miles.

My favorite book is
How to win friends and influence people written by Dale Carnegie. I learned more from this book than 4 years of high school.

I live together with?
My wife Wieke and our new roommate: our daughter Lara.

I learn by
Doing. Failing. Doing it again.

If I could put one message on a billboard for millions of people to see, it would be
Everyone has a hidden talent they don’t know, until Tequila.

Friso Bensdorp

Studies / Background
I studied Business Law at Groningen University and Msc Business Administration at Nyenrode University.

Why Ponooc?
I love working in venture capital. Working with passionate entrepreneurs.

Most important Ponooc principle
We are in this together.

First job
Picking flower bulbs in the summer vacation to earn my Technics stereo, which led to the start of a DJ business with a highschool friend. We soon learned that only playing Madonna and Michael Jackson songs is not going to make you successful in that business.

Skiing or snowboarding?
Hiking. But skiing is not too shabby either..

Hobbies or interests?
Reading non-fiction. Playing golf and tennis. Watching / following all sports with the exception of swimming, netball and And playing the occasional game of chess, with a good glass of wine.

My favorite book is
The art of the good life, by Rolf Dobelli. I usually do not read self-help books. But this little book is well written and full of wisdom. I regularly re-read this book to help me deal with my many shortcomings so that one day, in the distant future, I can say, like a famous Dutch soccer play once said: “before I make a mistake, I don’t make it”.

I live together with?
My wife Carolien and our three children Boele, Kate and Noep. And let’s not forget our labradoodle dog Toffee.

If I could put one message on a billboard for millions of people to see, it would be
"Life is too short to drink bad wine"

Max van Zoest

Studies / Background
I hold a bachelor’s in Econometrics from Maastricht university with an exchange at NTU Singapore and a master’s in computer science from TU Delft during which I studied philosophy and entrepreneurship at Melbourne University for one semester.
Before joining Ponooc, I worked at Google’s Cloud division in Dublin and interned at Mainport Innovation Fund.

Why Ponooc?
Because I strongly believe that great companies and sustainable companies are not mutually exclusive concepts. Working with amazing founders that share this conviction and helping them build companies that lead the sustainable economy of the future challenges and excites me.

Most important Ponooc principle
“We challenge our opinions” - at Ponooc we have strong ideas about how things will work out, but we are not afraid to put these ideas to the test and be proved wrong. I like to believe that this is how I approach life in general.

I learn by
Reading, trial, and error

First job
Painting wooden shoes (klompen) in a traditional wooden shoe factory (yes I’m Dutch).

Skiing or snowboarding?
Snowboarding and surfing when the slopes are green

My favorite book is
‘On the shortness of life’ by Seneca, which reminds me that the most valuable asset is time.

My worst habit is
Impatience

Maurits Koning

Studies / Background
I’ve got a bachelor in Philosophy and a master in Finance. For some an unusual combination, for me less so. In fact, the longer I thought about it, almost all disciplines find their origin in philosophy. Especially ethics, philosophy of science and political philosophy have my utmost interest. And yes, I do use the concepts of these fields in my work everyday.

Why Ponooc?
Although mobility is as old as people, it’s fascinating to see how so many bright people are continuously innovating the way we transport (ourselves). Being able to contribute to these great ideas and turning them - together with our teams - into real value is what keeps me going every single day!

Most important Ponooc principle
“We’re dedicated and follow through”. We support - in good and bad times - the teams we invest in. We do not give up easily, but don’t walk away from difficult discussions either. In negation lies the basis for the better answer.

First job
Driving a ride-on mower. Will be probably my last one as well!

Skiing or snowboarding?
I like technique, speed, elegance and people that don’t ruin slopes. You can do the math yourself.

Hobbies or interests?
Participate actively and passively (i.e. watch) sports! From the Masters to paris-Roubaix and from FC Groningen to Max Verstappen.

I live together with? 
My beautiful wife Renee and fatboy-cat Abu & real-cat Zaza

My worst habit is
Swearing. Hands down.