Loading people...
Frank Claassen is a Managing Partner at Newion Investments based in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Before joining the venture capital firm in 2004, he worked in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions at Ernst & Young (EY), and previously held business banking positions at Van Lanschot. He holds a business administration degree from the University of Groningen and currently helps oversee €300 million in total assets under management, including the €130 million Newion IV fund that closed in October 2022. Working alongside co-founder Patrick Polak, Claassen has directed early-stage capital into more than 70 enterprise technology startups, backing notable European scale-ups such as Collibra, Deliverect, and Foleon. His current investment strategy focuses exclusively on providing seed and Series A funding to business-to-business software as a service and cloud companies operating throughout the Benelux, Nordic, and DACH regions.
Frank Claassen stands as a distinguished figure in the European venture capital landscape, serving as a co-founder and Managing Partner at Newion Investments. Based in Amsterdam, Newion is renowned for its strategic investments in early-stage B2B software companies across Europe. Frank's leadership has been instrumental in shaping Newion's successful investment thesis, which centers on identifying innovative software solutions that address critical business needs.
At Newion Investments, Frank Claassen is deeply involved in all facets of the investment process, from deal sourcing and due diligence to portfolio management and exit strategies. His expertise lies in recognizing promising startups and providing them with the capital, strategic guidance, and operational support necessary to scale rapidly and achieve market dominance. Under his stewardship, Newion has built an impressive portfolio of companies that have gone on to become leaders in their respective sectors, demonstrating a keen eye for disruptive technology and robust business models.
Frank's career background in venture capital is extensive and impactful. Prior to co-founding Newion, he held significant positions at other reputable investment firms, including Gilde IT Fund. This experience provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the technology investment landscape, honing his skills in evaluating complex business propositions and fostering entrepreneurial growth. His long tenure in the industry has equipped him with a vast network and a deep well of knowledge, which he leverages to benefit Newion's portfolio companies.
While specific individual investments are often a collaborative effort within Newion, the firm's overall track record under Frank's leadership speaks volumes. Newion has successfully invested in and exited numerous high-growth B2B SaaS companies, contributing significantly to the European tech ecosystem. Frank Claassen's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting visionary founders has solidified his reputation as a key player in driving the success of early-stage software ventures across the continent. His strategic vision continues to guide Newion in its mission to back the next generation of B2B software champions.
Frank Claassen is a co-founder and Managing Partner at Newion Investments, a leading European venture capital firm specializing in early-stage B2B software companies. He is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the venture capital industry.
Frank Claassen, through Newion Investments, primarily invests in early-stage B2B software companies across Europe. His focus is on innovative solutions that address critical business needs and demonstrate high growth potential.
Frank Claassen works as a Managing Partner at Newion Investments, a prominent European venture capital firm with offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands.