Tycho van Paassen, co-founder of VONQ, shared his perspectives on recruitment markets and VONQ’s positioning.

In this interview, we speak to the CEO of VONQ about his attitude to innovation, positive impact, and how this intersects with his work. Why does innovation matter? How does he harness it in what he does? And how does he predict it will change the world for the better?

Capital D provided business and fundraising advice to a dozen aspiring black entrepreneurs of the Black Business Incubator at Somerset House, developed in partnership with Mentor Black Business and sponsored by Morgan Stanley.

We are pleased to announce that VONQ has secured both its ISO 27001 certification as well as a Silver-grade rating by EcoVadis, the universal sustainability ratings provider, putting VONQ among the top quartile of performers in 2022.

Sophie and James from Re_Set and Springwise have hosted a number of sessions at ChangeNow in Paris. The sessions included topics such as Educating Planetary Champions, Resilience and Adaptation, Changing the ‘Business As Usual’ Mindset and Designing Sustainable and Resilient Cities

Phrasee was listed as the 25th Best Workplace for Women in 2022, while it was also 49th in the UK-wide Best Workplaces list among medium-sized organisations.

It’s an exciting day for capital D and Qmee, with Qmee set to embark on the next stage of its impressive journey together with Kantar. It’s been a pleasure to work together with Jonathan and Nick on the company’s continued growth trajectory and geographic expansion. We wish them well!

We are pleased to announce that VONQ has been named a Strategic Leader in the 2022 Fosway Talent Acquisition Systems Market report.

• Phrasee is an AI-powered natural language generation platform for online marketing, disrupting traditional methods of copywriting
• capital D becomes first majority institutional investor in Phrasee, partnering with the founders and co-investors
• capital D’s fourth platform investment since inception, and the second investment into a company with artificial intelligence core to its product

Our partner Jean-Marc Jabre discusses value creation levers in the context of our Qmee investment.

Our partner Stephan Lobmeyr delivers a presentation of capital D in the context of investment opportunities via technology disruption.

Re_Set and Springwise hosted a panel titled “Innovation at the forefront of climate action” in Glasgow with Panelists including presenters from Zeigo, edie, Furthr, Airex and Pelican Founders.

Jean-Marc Jabre’s interview with our portfolio company CEO, Jonathan Knight of Qmee.

Somewhere near the Isle of Wight – no loose cannons on this sailboat!

James Bidwell chaired a Springwise Session where he was joined by the founder of the ChangeNOW Summit, Santiago Lefebvre. He was also joined by Alban Bressand, the co-founder of Reforestum, a European startup that enables companies to procure voluntary carbon offsets at scale.

Following the acquisition of IGB last year, VONQ keeps its momentum strong with four more key hires.

Sander van Oyen, Sales Director VONQ / Managing Director IGB (bottom left); Peter Berry, Sales Director EMEA at VONQ (top right); David Haessig, Regional Sales Director, IGB (bottom right); Josh Akers, Internal Consultant for international growth. (top left)

James Bidwell moderates a panel with participants from Roche, the World Health Organization and the French National Centre for Scientific Research among others, discussing the interconnectivity among human, environmental and animal health ecosystems.

Jonathan discusses how machine learning algorithms are being used in all parts of the Market Research industry in response to people’s changing behaviour and the desire for more insightful data.

We’re pleased to announce VONQ’s placement as Core Leader in their first participation in the 9-Grid TM for Talent Acquisition by Fosway Group.

• Qmee is one of Europe’s fastest growing tech businesses, operating in the research and
consumer insight space
• Capital D is the first institutional investor in Qmee
• Capital D will partner with Qmee’s founders, Jonathan Knight and Nick Sutton to support them on the next phase of their impressive growth journey

VONQ announced today the appointment of Arno Schaefer as Chief Executive Officer effective February 15th, 2021. With this appointment Wouter Goedhart, current CEO and co-founder, will step back as CEO but will remain involved as shareholder.

“I am thrilled to welcome Arno Schaefer as my successor at VONQ. Over the years he has demonstrated outstanding business leadership in fast growing companies and brings a wealth of digital experience that will accelerate VONQ’s success and growth going forward,” says Wouter Goedhart. “With his experience VONQ can further grow its international SaaS business.”

Powered by the global Springwise innovation community Re_Set have constructed a glimpse into the future, framed by the innovators, inventors, and future thinkers of tomorrow, illustrated by innovation ideas from across the globe.

VONQ announced today that it is acquiring IGB, a leader in job distribution, programmatic advertising and recruitment analytics. This move accelerates VONQ’s push into new markets and its momentum towards becoming the global leader in SaaS job marketing solutions.

Jean-Marc Jabre animated a panel to discuss the role social enterprises can play in providing employment opportunities.

Re_Set and Springwise join 3,500 businesses globally after having met rigorous social and environmental standards which represent a steadfast commitment to goals outside shareholder profit.

Capital D, the next‐generation private equity fund manager investing in disruptive mid‐market businesses across Europe, today announced a partial exit from its investment in Invincible Brands.

James Bidwell co-hosted a discussion on the Future of Responsible Travel and Tourism with industry experts Soraya Shattuck and Kurt Weinsheimer.

The results of a Re_Set and Springwise survey, presented at a recent webinar by James Bidwell and Kevin Barrett, underscore the importance of innovation and a strong desire to make significant, and positive, organisational changes.

Retailers around the world are facing their greatest-ever challenge as the COVID-19 pandemic grips every country. How are retailers in your country but also other regions of the world coping and responding to the needs of their customers, communities and the business itself?

Springwise and James Bidwell are contributing innovation intelligence to a series of reports by the World Retail Congress to help answer these questions.

Jean-Marc Jabre participated in a panel discussion on the need for specialization in the lower mid market.

James Bidwell moderated a panel discussion on changing food culture during the ChangeNOW 2020 summit at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Joining James were Seth Goldman, Chairman, Beyond Meat; Jonah Goldman, Director of Strategic Marketing, PLNT Burger;  Julie Chapon, Co-founder, Yuka; and Célia Rennesson, Co-founder, Réseau Vrac.

James Bidwell hosted an event with over 100 business owners and entrepreneurs at The Conduit in London, and was joined by Alex Beasley (UK & Ireland country manager, Patagonia), Georgia Phillips (Global Partnerships Lead, Pukka Herbs) and Bill Liao (Co-founder and Chair, WeForest) to stress the urgent need for timely action.

Bjoern Keune, co-founder of Invincible Brands, discussed the future of social commerce.

• capital D acquires 54% stake in disruptive recruitment marketing technology business that enables corporates to accelerate talent sourcing and reduce cost
• VONQ, based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is delivering growth of 30% p.a.
• Founders and capital D jointly commit additional follow-on capital to accelerate growth

Jean-Marc Jabre animated a panel to discuss the rise of sustainable investing from a fringe concern to the mainstream.

James Bidwell focuses panel on how the education system can best prepare our children and young people to deal with what lies ahead.

James Bidwell chaired a panel discussion on the challenges of climate change.

Jean-Marc Jabre participated on a panel to discuss Mid Cap PE and Growth Equity investing.

James Bidwell discusses the difference between the massive challenges faced by the legacy industry players and the opportunity being captured by the newer, more innovative businesses of the future has never been so acute.

Sophie Albizua discussing how to invest in the age of disruption.

James Bidwell presenting the key drivers of innovation and disruption in China.

Jean-Marc Jabre participated on a panel to discuss the challenges of raising a First Time Fund.

James Bidwell presented on the key drivers for identifying and implementing innovation strategies in large organisations through to personal tips on how to be an innovator.

Over the course of two and a half days, Walter Scott assembled a fleet of speakers to assist in the discovery of a variety of inviting, investment-rich horizons, at which event James Bidwell gave a presentation on innovation.

Stephan Lobmeyr discussing how Invincible Brands disrupted the consumer goods industry.

Jean-Marc Jabre discussing the effects of the disruptive consumer environment.

‘Capital D to focus on megatrends as it seeks out disruptive businesses in pan-European strategy’

By Private Equity Wire staff

‘Capital D acquires majority stake in Invincible Brands’

By Paolo Bossi

‘Newly founded private equity firm Capital D has acquired Berlin-based brand marketing company Invincible Brands for an undisclosed sum.’

By Oscar Geen

Note: paywall

Deal announcement: ‘New firm Capital D acquires majority stake in Invincible Brands’

By Luciano Figari

‘European private equity house Capital D buys millennial shopping influencer Invincible Brands’

By Alt Assets staff

‘Capital D grabs rising star Invincible Brands’

By Deutsche Startups staff

‘Capital D makes first investment, buying social media marketing company: the London-based firm was launched last year by investors including former Morgan Stanley private-equity investor Jean-Marc Jabre’

By Ed Ballard

Note: Paywall

‘Capital D takes majority stake in Invincible Brands’

By Alpha Week staff

‘British fund acquires majority stake in Berlin e-commerce business’

By Timo Brücken

Capital D, a London-based private equity manager, acquires social media influencer-led marketing and product development company.

Invincible Brands, founded in November 2015, achieved more than €30 million in revenues and healthy profitability in 2017.