Jaap Vriesendorp (Marktlink Capital): The playbook of one of Europe's most active VC LPs

Europe's challenge isn't a lack of entrepreneurs. It's making sure enough capital reaches them.In this episode, David Cruz e Silva speaks with Jaap Vriesendorp, Managing Partner at Marktlink Capital, one of Europe's most active LPs in venture capital, about why backing European innovation matters, how to build a resilient venture portfolio and what separates the best fund managers from the rest.Jaap shares the thinking behind Marktlink's venture strategy, from vintage diversification and secondaries to manager selection and portfolio construction. He also explains why scale matters in private markets, how the firm uses data science and AI in its investment process and why many LPs make the mistake of running out of capital for their best-performing managers.The conversation also covers emerging managers, long-term capital formation and why Europe deserves more credit as a venture ecosystem.Key highlights:Why European entrepreneurs should back European entrepreneursHow one of Europe's most active VC LPs approaches venture investingThe role of primaries, secondaries and vintage diversificationWhat Jaap looks for in emerging managersWhy scale matters in private marketsHow data science and AI support investment decisionsThe biggest mistakes fund-of-funds investors makeWhy long-term capital is critical to venture successTimestamps:(00:00) Why Europe needs more capital flowing into innovation(02:00) Introduction and Jaap Vriesendorp's background(05:00) From McKinsey to launching a venture fund-of-funds(08:00) The merger that created Marktlink Capital(10:00) Building a platform backed by entrepreneurs(14:00) Why scale matters in private markets(17:00) Product strategy across venture, private equity, co-investments and private credit(23:00) How Marktlink uses data science and AI in investing(29:00) Marktlink's venture investment strategy(30:00) Vintage diversification, primaries and secondaries(33:00) Why annual funds help secure long-term LP capital(37:00) What Marktlink looks for in emerging venture managers(40:00) Why Europe deserves more credit as a venture ecosystemFurther listening:⁠⁠⁠E347: The $26B CIO Who Turned Superforecasting Into Alpha - How I Invest with David Weisburd⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the Love Tomorrow Summit and the programmes EUVC is curating, and secure your tickets here.