Saffelberg Investments

Saffelberg Investments operates as an independent investment firm managing a substantial capital base of 300 million EUR dedicated to long-term growth opportunities. The company strategically acquires significant minority stakes in rapidly expanding ventures through risk capital deployment across global markets. With investments spanning diverse sectors through both equity and mezzanine financing structures, Saffelberg has evolved its focus in recent years to emphasize cutting-edge technologies including Artificial Intelligence, Internet-of-Things, and Life Sciences. Their investment philosophy centers on accelerating company development, generating substantial value, and delivering enhanced returns to entrepreneurs and all stakeholders involved.

Beyond mere financial backing, Saffelberg provides comprehensive executive support and industry expertise across multiple domains, positioning itself as both an early-stage venture capital provider and later-stage private equity investor. As of mid-2020, the firm's portfolio encompassed 35 companies collectively generating over 1 billion EUR in turnover and employing approximately 3,500 professionals. This impressive track record demonstrates Saffelberg's ability to identify and nurture high-potential enterprises across their development lifecycle, from initial growth phases through to market leadership positions.

The investment firm was established by Belgian entrepreneur Jos Sluys following his success with ARINSO International, which merged with Northgate Information Systems in 2007 to form NorthgateArinso (NGA). Under Sluys' leadership, NGA developed into a global market leader in HR Services & Technology, achieving revenues of 700 million EUR before Saffelberg's founding. This entrepreneurial heritage informs the company's approach to investments, combining financial acumen with practical business-building experience. Saffelberg maintains a flexible investment mandate, considering opportunities across diverse sectors while maintaining rigorous evaluation standards through comprehensive financial audits and multi-faceted business model analysis.

Saffelberg's investment criteria focus primarily on European-based companies or those with strong European connections, demonstrating robust growth potential and the capacity to achieve market leadership. The firm particularly values strong entrepreneurial leadership when evaluating potential portfolio additions. By combining financial resources with management expertise, Saffelberg helps promising companies maximize their potential and achieve sustainable growth. This dual-support model distinguishes Saffelberg from purely financial investors, creating partnerships that leverage both capital and strategic guidance to drive exceptional outcomes for portfolio companies.