Ponooc is an independent venture capital fund based in the Netherlands with a focus on sustainable mobility and energy across Europe.
We love ideas that stand out! At Ponooc, we invest in ventures with a focus on sustainable mobility and energy. Our investments are used to accelerate the business and should help the company take “the next step”. We have a proven track-record of successful start-ups and scale-ups in the mobility and energy space. We understand the mobility and energy market, and can support you throughout the entire process to become successful.
Ponooc is an independent Dutch venture capital fund with close ties to Pon Holdings. Pon Holdings is one of the largest family-owned businesses in the Netherlands and a conglomerate in the transport sector, which, among other things, sells vehicles and bicycles worldwide. We can leverage our network and knowledge to the start-ups we invest in, while remaining an independent financial investor.
We are a hands-on investor, and it is important to us that the entrepreneur stays in the driver’s-seat. Our typical initial investment size ranges from 1–4 million euros in growth capital across Europe and we look for a relevant minority shareholding. We have the means to make follow-on investments in subsequent rounds and look for value creating exit opportunities within a reasonable timespan and in close cooperation with the management team. We do not have a firm investment horizon although typically we are invested for 4 –7 years.
Mark is the former Director General for Mobility in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Before that he was a.o. Director General for Energy and Director General For IT and Telecommunications in the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Currently he is active as the Director General in the Ministry of Health, where he is responsible for the national committee health-means Covid-19. Mark is also a special advisor to the government for public leadership. He is writer of books as a.o. ‘Yes Minister, no minister‘ and chair of the organisation for government-managers.
After founding bol.com in 1999 as a young McKinsey consultant, Daniel led bol.com as its CEO to become the by far largest online retailer of the Benelux, with revenues close to 2Bn Euro and growth rates of around 30% by the time he left the company in 2017. After 2 years as CEO of Springer Nature, the leading global research publishing group, Daniel is now acting as a senior advisor, investor, and board member. He is serving numerous clients in the private equity, digital consulting, and corporate space, with focus on digital transformation, digital strategy creation, and organisational implementation.
Peter has been with Booz Allen & Hamilton for over 30 years, most recent as EVP Europe. Peter is a member/chair of various boards: Swapfiets, Eurocaps, Lunchgarden, Prodalim, Ksyos, Vascobelo, Ajax, and is on the advisory board of New York Pizza, IMT, Bregal Freshstream, and Vortex Capital Partners. In non-profit, Peter is active as a board member of Dioraphte, de Balie, and chairman of the Stedelijk Museum Fonds.
Carlo van de Weijer is general manager of the newly founded Eindhoven AI System Institute EAISI at Eindhoven University of Technology. He advises ministries and industries around the world on the future of mobility and is member of the supervisory board of several high-tech companies and start-ups. Furthermore, he is a weekly columnist in the leading Dutch financial newspaper.
Janus started his career with NeSBIC and currently is the CEO of Pon Holdings. Furthermore, Janus is advisor to private equity funds CVC and Gilde Buy Out Fund, board member of RAI vereniging, which is the Dutch Automobile and two wheeler Association, and serves as supervisory board member on the boards of IMCD and the Volkswagen Bank.
Fanja is the President of the supervisory board of Pon Holdings - a Dutch family owned multinational mobility conglomerate - and acts as chairman of the Ponooc Investment Committee. She also serves as a member of the supervisory boards of URUS - a new global player dedicated to serving dairy and beef cattle producers around the globe - and the Club of Rome in Germany.
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.
My worst habit is I laugh about my own jokes..
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.
Studies / Background I studied Business Law at Groningen University and Business Administration at Nyenrode University
Why Ponooc? I love working in venture capital. Working closely with passionate and inspirational founders. Being involved with innovation and new business models. Intellectually stimulating work. And never a dull moment, with highs and lows alternating at breakneck speed!
Most important Ponooc principle We are in this together. We work as a team, challenging each other on our convictions, and sharing success and failures jointly. We are in this together also stands for how we work with our ventures: by developing strong partnerships and mutual trust
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 bad either..
Hobbies or interests? Reading non-fiction. Playing golf and tennis. Watching / following 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"
Studies / Background I hold a BSc in Econometrics from Maastricht university with an exchange at NTU Singapore and a MSc 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 NBI Investors.
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
Study/Background? I studied Health Sciences at Maastricht University, after which I finished my two-year Masters in Management and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Sciences. Before joining Ponooc, I worked for three years in life sciences consulting.
Why Ponooc? Why Venture Capital? I get excited by working in a fast-paced environment, finding promising new innovations, building relationships and helping ventures grow. Why Ponooc? I love the fact that at Ponooc, we are actively funding a more sustainable future.
Most important Ponooc principle We strive for fairness and talk straight. I believe honesty is one of the most important ingredients of strong relationships, whether that is personally or in business. It is also the driver that will push us towards better outcomes and more impact.
Hobbies or interests? Enjoying my life living in Amsterdam, going out for dinner and drinks with friends. Besides that, I am into kitesurfing.
My favorite book is ‘I am Pilgrim’, as I have been reading it for over two years already
I live together with? Two of my closest friends
First Job Planting leeks in the beautiful fields of Brabant
My worst habit Being unable to take the huge grin of my face when winning at board games (which is always)
Sking or snowboarding (Après-)skiing
If I could put one message on a billboard for millions of people to see, it would be Everybody has a plan, until they get punched in the face
Studies / Background I have obtained my BSc in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Amsterdam, with a minor in business administration from Northeastern University, Boston. I am currently finishing my MSc in Business Administration - Digital Business at the University of Amsterdam
Why Ponooc? Working in venture capital excites me due to the close collaboration with ventures and their entrepreneurs. I love seeing the newest ideas and innovations, and the passionate people behind them. Next to this, Ponooc’s focus on sustainability matches perfectly with my personal values
Most important Ponooc principle “We are in this together”.
Hobbies or interests? I’m a big fan of bouldering. So far it’s mainly been in indoor bouldering halls, but can’t wait to go out in nature to climb some real boulders. My less adventurous (but not less fun!) hobbies are yoga and baking.
My favorite book is Currently - Venture Deals of Brad Felt
My favorite podcast is Philosophize This! By Stephen West
I live together with? My two housemates
First Job I was an assistent at circus lessons for children. Basically a lot of hand holding while 8 year olds tried to learn how to unicycle.
My worst habit Misplacing my keys and wallet -always.
Sking or snowboarding After failing miserably on my ski’s, I’m now a proud mediocre snowboarder
If I could put one message on a billboard for millions of people to see, it would be If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.
Studies / Background I studied business law at the University of Amsterdam and have a background in M&A before joining Ponooc.
Why Ponooc? Working at Ponooc is fun, inspiring and gives me the opportunity to contribute to a better and more sustainable tomorrow. I love that no two days are the same and it is a privilege to meet passionate and inspirational founders each day.
Most important Ponooc principle “We challenge our opinions”. While having a clear opinion can be a strength, it is equally important to be open for feedback and different perspectives. Constant dialogue and challenges sharpen our view and provide valuable insights that may lead to better choices in the future.
Hobbies or interests? I am a bit of a (eco-conscious) travel-fanatic and love to experience new places and cultures. Other great interests are contemporary photography and sports, in both instances especially as a spectator.
My favorite book is I am a sucker for historical thrillers and especially like the works of Robert Harris. Also a great fan of War and Peace by Tolstoy (yes, I am aware that sounds incredibly pretentious). Current favorite is also a true classic: The story of the little mole who knew it was none of his business (Over de mol die wil weten wie er op zijn kop heeft gepoept).
I live together with? My girlfriend / wife (a bit of a long story), Annelien, and our beautiful daughter, Anaïs.
If I could put one message on a billboard for millions of people to see, it would be Live and let live. The world can use some more tolerance and acceptance of differences.
My worst habit Naming one, would not do justice to all the others.