Chris Raman

Chris Raman
Born	Belgium
Nationality	Belgian
Alma mater	EHSAL Management School
Occupation	Serial entrepreneur Strategic advisor International deal architect
Organization	Ventures4Growth
Website	ventures4growth.com

Chris Raman is a Belgian serial entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and international deal architect known for shaping Europe’s innovation, venture capital, and mid-market M&A ecosystems. Over a 30-year career, he has launched, scaled, or exited over 60 companies and advised on more than 150 transactions. Raman is the founder of Ventures4Growth and a recognized pioneer in transatlantic tech scaling, public-private innovation, and strategic founder succession.

Early Life and Education

Raised in a working-class district in post-war Belgium, Raman was inspired by his mother's part-time work in the homes of professors, where he first glimpsed a world of ideas and international perspectives. A top student in his final school year, he earned the mathematics prize in his science track and later graduated from EHSAL Management School with degrees in IT, Business Administration, and Commercial Engineering. He later completed a post-university certificate in Family Business Advising.

Career

Early Career & Operational Leadership

Chris Raman began his professional journey as a software developer and quickly moved into leadership roles within IT departments at AXA/Royale Belge and Fortis/AG. Recognized for his ability to bridge technical execution and business outcomes, he was appointed Managing Director Benelux at Ernst & Young Case Technology. Based on this experience, he continued as MD for other technology companies and led the introduction and regional rollout of transformative enterprise software platforms, including PowerBuilder, Rational Rose, and SQA. His work laid the groundwork for digital transformation within key financial institutions across the Benelux region.

Found IT (FiT) and Serial Entrepreneurship

In the mid-1990s, Raman founded FiT (Found IT), a venture builder that facilitated the European expansion of 17 U.S. B2B software companies. FiT played a role in the international growth of companies in CASE tools, business intelligence, data middleware, and consulting, leveraging a model that combined distribution rights with private equity participation. Eight of these companies later went public, while nine were acquired.

NSE International and ExpertEyes

In 1997, Raman co-founded NSE International, a firm assisting North American tech companies in establishing European operations. With support from Klaus Neugebauer (former BMW board member), NSE facilitated market entry strategies, legal structuring, and financial administration. The company evolved into ExpertEyes, expanding operations across five continents.

Under Raman’s leadership, ExpertEyes worked with companies such as NetDynamics, Business Engine, and LBMS, and structured deals in collaboration with PwC and investment funds including E3 Capital, GIMV, and Fortis Private Equity.

Its standard model featured the acquisition of the European joint venture through a predefined put and call structure. In the case of OnDisplay, the firm negotiated an additional pre-IPO share acquisition right. A notable success was the acquisition of shares of OnDisplay at $9 per share, which later surged to $89 post-IPO in under three quarters — yielding a return of nearly 900%. over the original entry price.

This validated Raman’s cross-border incubation model and cemented his reputation as a “matchmaker-in-chief” for venture-backed tech firms.

GorillaPark and GP Bullhound

In 2002, the Dutch venture incubator GorillaPark acquired ExpertEyes. Funded by ABN AMRO, Deutsche Bank, and Cable & Wireless, GorillaPark was one of Europe's most ambitious incubator initiatives, garnering international attention from The Wall Street Journal. Raman was appointed Chief Commercial Officer, leading the commercial integration of ExpertEyes into one of Europe’s boldest early-stage venture studios.

As CCO, Raman played a founding role in the creation of GP Capital, which achieved early success under his leadership through the acquisition of Vizuri by Sogeti. GP Capital—co-founded by Raman—quickly rose to prominence, completing more tech fundraisings in 2001 than any other European advisory boutique. It later evolved into GP Bullhound, a pioneer in early-stage tech corporate finance across Europe.

VFinance Europe SA

In 2005, Raman co-founded VFinance Europe SA with Walter De Brouwer under a joint venture with U.S.-listed vFinance Inc. (VFIN.OB). This initiative brought SEC-compliant investment banking practices to Europe. Raman led the firm’s expansion across the Benelux region while maintaining an office on Park Avenue, New York.

Ventures4Growth and Strategic Advisory

Chris Raman founded Ventures4Growth (V4G) to support ownership succession, cross-border acquisitions, and strategic exits with a tailored, founder-centric approach. V4G played a central role in transactions such as the Tobania merger and has since become a trusted advisor for family-owned and founder-led businesses navigating growth and transition.

A landmark achievement includes the formation of Fronnt, a fast-growing alliance of 12 installation companies established in 2022 through the strategic partnership of Gimv and Tilleghem—both V4G clients. Within two years, Fronnt surpassed €110 million in turnover and expanded to over 400 professionals across Flanders.

V4G's data-driven buy-and-build approach—combining advanced valuation models, synergy scoring, and integration dashboards—was instrumental. As Geert Fostier, CEO of Fronnt, noted: “Ventures4Growth’s innovative approach transformed a daunting consolidation into a streamlined, impactful project.”

Growth Phase Europe and Het Groeiatelier

He also launched Growth Phase Europe (GPEurope), a platform assisting European scale-ups in securing funding and expansion opportunities. In 2017, Raman also founded Groeiatelier, an entrepreneurial lab with 25+ top-tier coaches and guest speakers including Jürgen Ingels and Inge Geerdens. It was covered in Made In as a flagship initiative for tackling “growth blocks” and eliminating the word “crisis” from entrepreneurial vocabulary.

Ecosystem Building

Raman has played a pivotal role in shaping the public-private innovation landscape in Belgium and was an early pioneer in transatlantic tech scaling strategies. In 2015, Raman launched Ajuinlei 1, Europe’s first dedicated Internet-of-Things incubator, based in Ghent. The space emphasized cross-pollination between startups and corporate innovators like ING, and supported early ventures such as AllThingsTalk and Partago.

Raman also played a key role in organizing large-scale public events on innovation. Notably, in 2003, he curated the European symposium "4x4 pour entreprendre" at Aula Magna (UCL), which attracted over 1,500 attendees and featured 122 international speakers. The closing keynote was delivered by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who cited Ilya Prigogine as a mentor and advocated for systemic innovation and mindset shifts in Wallonia.

Thought Leadership and Media Recognition

Chris Raman has been featured in:

• Trends for his role in M&A and venture building
• Kanaal Z for strategic insight on exit planning
• De Tijd for launching Belgium’s first IoT incubator
• Made In for thought leadership at Groeiatelier
• Co-author of the book "Seamless – Successful B2B Marketing, Selling and Account Management", published by Business Expert Press (2023) and co-distributed by Harvard Business Publishing
• His strategic insights in venture capital and M&A were featured in the Firmex Q4-2024 M&A Report.

In 2006, he was awarded Business Angel of the Year by the Business Angels Network Belgium.

Legacy and Philosophy

Chris Raman’s career has been defined by bridging ecosystems: between startups and corporates, Europe and Silicon Valley, founders and investors. His ventures and incubators have empowered hundreds of companies, and his advocacy for ownership succession and founder exits has shaped best practices in the mid-market M&A space.

Chris Raman contributed as an invited expert at the European Commission’s Investment Readiness Workshop (Brussels, 2006), organized by the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry. Representing Growth Phase Europe (GPEurope), he helped assess how EU policy could stimulate the demand side of SME financing, emphasizing the role of structured readiness programs, founder education, and strategic matchmaking. His contribution was cited in the official summary report, which has served as a foundational reference in European SME support policy.

Chris Raman served as Managing Director at Case Consult during the mid-1990s. In this role, he was instrumental in establishing Gentia Software Benelux, a competitor to Comshare, by recruiting Frank Maene to lead the initiative. This endeavor showcased Raman's strategic vision in expanding software solutions within the Benelux region.

In 2002, the Dutch venture incubator GorillaPark acquired ExpertEyes, a company founded by Chris Raman. Following this acquisition, Raman was appointed as GorillaPark's Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), where he led the commercial integration of ExpertEyes into GorillaPark's operations.

De Tijd: In an article titled "Gent krijgt eerste Europese internet-of-thingsincubator," De Tijd reported on the establishment of Europe's first Internet-of-Things incubator in Ghent, initiated by serial entrepreneur Chris Raman.

This coverage highlights Chris Raman's significant contributions to technological innovation and entrepreneurship in Belgium.

• Made-in.be – V4G klaar voor fusie- en overnamegolf in kmo-sector

Chris Raman, founder of Ventures4Growth, warns that a new wave of SME ownership transitions is approaching. He advocates for early preparation and emphasizes the need for founder-centric support. V4G is positioned as a go-to M&A partner for mid-sized Belgian businesses.

• KMO Insider – Ken jij de waarde van je onderneming?

In this feature, Chris Raman discusses why most founders lack visibility into their company’s true market value. He outlines how Ventures4Growth brings structure, objectivity, and valuation tools to guide founders toward realistic and rewarding exits.

• Made-in.be – “We moeten het woord crisis schrappen”

Chris Raman explains the philosophy behind launching Het Groeiatelier — a peer-learning lab for entrepreneurs. He urges founders to shift away from crisis-thinking and embrace structured growth strategies, even in challenging market conditions.

• KMO Insider – Slim kapitaal en/of interessante bedrijven?

This article showcases Ventures4Growth’s unique approach under Raman’s leadership: connecting smart capital to high-potential, often under-the-radar Belgian SMEs. Raman is portrayed as a matchmaker who brings clarity and creativity to complex deals.

• Bloovi – Het is belangrijk om in elke fase... een goede exitstrategie te hebben

Raman shares insights from four decades in entrepreneurship. He warns that many founders delay exit planning and outlines V4G’s proprietary 10-domain readiness score — a strategic tool for preparing businesses across all lifecycle phases.

• VLAIO – Scale Marathon rond finance

During VLAIO’s Scale Marathon, Chris Raman took the stage as a keynote speaker, offering actionable advice on financing scale-ups and preparing for exit. His speech focused on liquidity timing, valuation realism, and founder-alignment. Raman has also been a featured keynote speaker at the VLAIO Scale Marathon, a flagship initiative by the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. His presentation focused on liquidity timing, value capture, and investor alignment in the growth and exit stages of scale-ups.

• Made-in.be – Ventures4Growth neemt Emerio over

Chris Raman’s Ventures4Growth is credited with orchestrating the acquisition of Emerio. The article shows V4G not only as a finance advisor but also as an active builder of scale-up platforms via strategic acquisitions.

• KMO Insider – De overdracht van een bedrijf mag geen emotioneel verhaal zijn

Chris Raman warns about emotionally-driven business transitions and promotes a rational, value-driven approach. He emphasizes the importance of external guidance and structuring in family business handovers.

• CXO Institute (ISSUU) – Executive profile MP 186

Chris Raman is profiled among Europe’s leading strategic advisors. The feature details his track record in exits, his philosophy of founder empathy, and how Ventures4Growth bridges European capital with real-world entrepreneurial experience.

• DVO – Groeiatelier haalt wereldtoppers naar Gent

This coverage highlights Raman’s role in organizing high-caliber speaker events through Het Groeiatelier. His curated lineups helped bring global names in entrepreneurship to Flemish audiences, enriching the local ecosystem.

• Made-in.be – Ajuinlei 1 verbindt connected living met creatieve sector

Chris Raman’s innovation hub, Ajuinlei 1, is portrayed as a pioneering incubator combining IoT startups with design and creativity. The article spotlights his role in fostering cross-sector innovation in central Ghent.

• Flanders Investment & Trade – Ajuinlei1: erstes IDD-Technologiezentrum Europas

This German-language piece names Chris Raman as the founder of Europe’s first dedicated IoT incubation center. It highlights his efforts to build cross-border innovation infrastructure in Flanders.

External links

• Company website
• Chris Raman on LinkedIn