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Guidance through experience

Essential was founded by three seasoned entrepreneurs, each with more than 30 years of experience
in setting up and successfully growing their own businesses, as well as advising and investing in other businesses.

You can read about us here below, but we are actually more interested to hear your story 😉

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Meet the team

Essential was founded by three partners who have successfully started and grown businesses themselves, each with an extensive experience as entrepreneur and business advisor of CEOs and leadership teams in a diverse range of clients.

Leon Brunenberg

Accomplished entrepreneur and executive with an expansive thirty-year career across technology, consulting, and venture capital. As co-founder of Mobilee (a leading Dutch consultancy firm, acquired by TMC), and FRISS (a global SaaS company targeting insurance fraud detection), Leon has demonstrated his ability to drive significant digital transformations.

As co-founder and former managing partner of venture capital company Arches Capital, Leon shaped the future of venture capital, especially for early-stage startups, and contributes his expertise as a Non-Executive Board Member at Thinkwise, dedicated to revolutionizing software practices. His mentorship at Rockstart further underscores his role in nurturing startup success from conception to market readiness.

Leon is keen to help organizations grow and innovate. A leading expert whose guidance is crucial for businesses and people who want to successfully manage the challenges of growth and change.

Eric van der Maten

Seasoned IT consultant and SaaS industry expert with significant experience in technology development and corporate development, and innovation. Eric played pivotal roles within early and later stage tech companies and M&A projects.
As co-founder of the Mainland Sequoia Group, a prominent network, systems, and security management company that later became an integral part of the Devoteam Group, Eric started to advise and invest in early and later stage tech companies and expand his experience on a global scale.

Eric also played a crucial role at Arches Capital, as co-founder and former managing partner, marrying traditional venture capital methods with private investment strategies in early stage software ventures. He participates as board member and advisor, impacting numerous technology ventures both nationally and internationally. In recent years, his expertise has been crucial at companies in corporate development and business strategies for companies in the Security and AI ecosystem and several other mostly data-driven companies. Eric also advised family-owned businesses in their digital strategy and other organizational questions.

Eric has built an proven track record in guiding technology firms through complex growth phases or M&A related questions. A skilled leader who knows what it takes to manage change and advancement in international sales and innovation.

Roel Bergsma

Entrepreneur, executive, board member, and business coach with over 30 years of experience in technology, management, and advisory roles. Roel’s enthusiasm about working with entrepreneurs, combined with a passion for travel, scuba diving and flying (aerobatic aircraft), reflects his dynamic approach to life.

As co-founder of Macaw, Roel played instrumental roles as COO and CSO, leading the company to significant growth with an international presence before its acquisition by Avedon Capital.
As co-founder and former managing partner of Arches Capital, Roel laid the legal, financial and operational foundation of the company, growing the company to 100 active investing members with a strong identity and investment portfolio. Over the past decades, he has served as a trusted advisor and board member to numerous early and later-stage companies.

As an experienced business advisor, Roel focuses on product-market strategies and building robust business foundations. He is renowned for his no-nonsense, direct approach, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence: ‘do it right or don’t do it at all.’ Roel’s collaborative and empowering style resonates through his work as a trusted advisor, mentor, and board member across multiple ventures.

Our Core Values

A trusted team with a unique edge: practical advice based on real-world experience

Excellence

We strive for excellence in everything we do, ensuring the highest quality of service and guidance to our clients for their success.

Integrity

Integrity is at the core of our operations, guiding our actions and decisions with honesty, transparency, and respect for our clients.

Collaboration

We believe in the power of collaboration, working closely with our clients to achieve mutual success and sustainable growth in their businesses.

Take the Next Step

Ready to transform your business? Contact us now and tell us your story.