Marieke Gehres

Investor | Board Observer

2023 - 2024

Investor | Board Observer

2022 - 2024

Investment Team

2021 - 2024

- One of Europe’s leading early-stage VCs, founded in '97 with >€2.5bn AUM and early investments in UiPath, N26, Aiven, Snyk, Peak Games & others - Led deal pipeline (sourcing to closing), Board Observer for two investments - Drove Benelux expansion—built network, launched events, and grew deal flow by 50% in year one, maintaining an 80%+ hit rate - Co-founded the ConsumerTech practice, shaping industry expertise & driving 10+ live deals in the first quarter - Contributed to Enterprise Software & Sustainability practices, recognized among Europe’s top Climate VC investors (2023) - Co-led the Visiting Analyst program, managing recruiting, mentorship & alumni engagement

Business Development & Strategy

2020 - 2020

- EIDU is a personalized learning platform backed by Reach Capital & Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, impacting 1M+ children in 30 countries - Worked closely with the CEO & leadership team to shape strategic initiatives - Co-developed a five-year financial expansion plan to drive rapid scaling - Built an advanced cost model, optimizing cost structures with actionable recommendations - Led EIDU’s expansion into Mombasa—designed a market entry playbook, conducted sales visits in informal settlements, and established the local team

Visiting Investment Analyst

2020 - 2020

Strategy Consulting

2019 - 2019

- Specialized in financial transactions, due diligence, and restructuring, with a focus on the automotive sector - Supported a major M&A deal, coordinating five workstreams across seven stakeholders to improve performance at a leading German auto supplier - Led the setup of a critical data room in close collaboration with the client, ensuring M&A success - Designed a financial reporting model for real-time liquidity tracking and visualization - Analyzed potential business cessation scenarios and developed a fleet & resource optimization model, considering outstanding contracts

Pre-Incubation Program

2018 - 2018

- Took the lead in organizing three pre-incubation programs including recruitment, pre-selection, workshops, coaching and pitch events - Supported two projects for the Horizon 2020 by the European Commission, EU MACS and Marco, with research on climate topics and content creation for project reports

Business Development

2017 - 2018

- Supported the development of five previously non-existent account strategies which made up 25% of the unit’s total net sales (~650m€) - Developed a marketing communication concept which gives a consistent picture of the business unit and is used by the whole team and management board all over Asia - Took the lead in developing a team-owned SharePoint and guided the implementation process through a restructuring concept

Entrepreneurial upskilling program | Co-Founder

2017 - 2017

- Founded an entrepreneurship upskilling program which supports young entrepreneurs during the realization process of their business ideas - Through a diverse program, 14 South Africans have already been transformed into entrepreneurial-minded business people, helping them avoid unemployment - With the implementation of the program into the organizational structure, the program can further expand and by creating jobs, decrease South Africa’s high unemployment rate in the long term