After six years, Ytsen van der Meer says goodbye to NOM. At least, he is changing employers, but the lines of communication with the Northern Netherlands ecosystem for startups remain warm. ,,I look forward to working with NOM.''
That's an odd statement when you're full part of it right now. But this summer that will change. Investment manager of the NOM Ytsen van der Meer, is leaving for an international investment fund that focuses mainly on so-called early stage deep tech. And that is an obvious continuation of his career, well considered.
,,Over the past few years, I've become more and more involved in tech and deep tech. I really like the intellectual piece of it and also the idea that the financial returns as well as the impact are great, if such a startup succeeds.''
And there is something else that appeals to him: the collaboration with venture capital. ,,That way you can immediately help promising innovations and startups better. With more resources, more expertise and a larger network. And so you increase the opportunities immediately. My future lies with a fund that is one of the few that invest in the really early phase of deep-tech hardware in the Netherlands. That appeals to me.
Reyedar and Sencure
Van der Meer was involved in the acquisition of two great deals on behalf of the NOM, in cooperation with his new employer, two medtech startups working on deep technology. Groningen-based Reyedar is developing special glasses to detect conditions such as glaucoma and Parkinson's disease in time. Sencure in Roden makes chip technology for wearable medical applications.
Those deals are some of the great results Van der Meer has achieved over the past six years. Or rather especially last four years, since he became Investment Manager. He came in as an Investment Analyst. ,,A great period, where I got to know the whole landscape. I analyzed companies, markets and entrepreneurial teams. Very instructive and helpful in the work I do now and later.''
That really early phase of a business. That's where his heart beats faster. He likes to think along, to be involved early. ,,I am convinced that there are all kinds of gems that never come to fruition because we are not there in time. What we regularly encounter is that founders have very bright ideas, but need someone who knows how to validate and market a product. And that's exactly where we come in. That's where we can help. That's what NOM is for, I think.''
That has become increasingly true in recent years, Van der Meer notes. ,,We have gained a better focus. I think the route Dina and Anne-Wil have taken is a very important one. The sector approach helps on many fronts. The sector teams work focused on their own ecosystem and also look at other funds, for example. We actually enlarge the menu for entrepreneurs this way, we can help them in more ways. That works.''
You have to seek each other out
Especially also because there is cooperation within those sectors, without a direct exchange of interests. Van der Meer: ,,Six years ago you saw more parties who all had their own interests. The landscape has changed in that respect. Organizations are helping each other and thus the ecosystem, which is good for everyone. The fact that the Foundeds are joining forces is a good example in that respect. There is a realization that everyone has the same interests. Very nice to see, and a good development for startups.''
Another development in recent years is that NOM not only invests in companies, but also in funds. ,,That's a good idea, because that way you create more mass and give more good innovations and startups opportunities. We don't do it alone, we work together. Six years ago, it rarely, if ever, happened that we as NOM invested in a startup together with a venture capital fund.''
''Now that happens regularly. Together with others, you just have more ears and eyes. I talk to such funds a lot these days to discuss which great startups deserve more attention. Those contacts are a good way to stay on top of things. And that is also exactly what I hope to leave behind when I leave: that mindset that you have to look for each other and show what is going on and which startups are promising.''
In his new role, he can continue to contribute to that. Absolutely. Of course I want to help promising startups myself, but I want to keep the lines of communication open with NOM. Sometimes it is a very good idea to do a deal together, sometimes a startup is better off with one or the other. That should remain open for discussion, because that is in the interest of the founders and of the entire ecosystem. I just keep living in Groningen, so that way I keep my networks in the North as well.''