Ventures4Growth
 | |
| Industry | Business Consulting and Services |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Chris Raman |
| Headquarters | Ghent, Belgium |
| Services |
|
| Website | ventures4growth |
Ventures4Growth (V4G) is a Belgium-based business acceleration and investment firm that provides funding, mentorship, and strategic resources to early-stage and growth-stage companies. The firm operates as both a venture capital fund and a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory, with a mission to foster entrepreneurship and support scalable businesses across a range of high-growth sectors. Headquartered in Ghent, Belgium, Ventures4Growth is led by founder and managing partner Chris Raman.[1]
Overview
Ventures4Growth combines venture capital investment with strategic advisory and acceleration services. The firm supports startups and SMEs through capital investments, business development expertise, and access to an extensive network of mentors, corporate partners, and investors. Ventures4Growth positions itself as a long-term partner, guiding companies from early funding stages to potential public offerings or strategic acquisitions.[2]
The firm is particularly recognized for its dual role: nurturing startup innovation while also serving as a specialized advisor in mergers, acquisitions, and business transfers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).[3]
History
Ventures4Growth was founded with the goal to bridge the gap between visionary entrepreneurs and strategic capital in Belgium’s fragmented startup and mid-market ecosystem. At a time when few independent firms offered both venture capital and M&A advisory services, Ventures4Growth introduced a hybrid model—delivering not just funding, but also hands-on strategic support tailored to each growth stage.[4]
In December 2015, Ventures4Growth expanded its corporate finance capabilities through the acquisition of Emerio, a Brussels-based advisory firm founded by Nico Daminet. Emerio was accredited as a Listing Sponsor for NYSE/Alternext Brussels IPOs and specialized in strategic, operational, and transaction advisory. The integration marked a turning point, positioning Ventures4Growth as a full-spectrum platform for growth companies and mature SMEs alike.[5]
In 2016, Eric De Bruyckere, a former PwC and BDO executive, joined as Managing Partner, further professionalizing the firm’s operations and deepening its client advisory capacity.[6]
A defining evolution took place between 2014 and 2024, as Ventures4Growth steadily expanded its footprint across Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia—serving entrepreneurs, family businesses, and investment funds alike. Over the course of this decade, the team developed a distinctive methodology that blends financial rigor with entrepreneurial empathy, contributing to over 150 transactions, mandates, and valuations across sectors including technology, healthcare, industrials, sustainability, and consumer goods.[7]
In 2023, the firm welcomed Paul-Yvon Billiet, former executive at Bank Degroof and Edmond de Rothschild, as Executive Partner—bringing a new layer of capital markets experience and reinforcing its position in the private investment landscape.[8]
In 2024, Ventures4Growth merged with Affix Corporate Finance, a Brussels-based boutique specializing in family business transitions and mid-cap deals. The merger broadened the firm’s reach and capabilities, laying the groundwork for the next growth phase.[9]
Looking ahead, Ventures4Growth will increasingly focus its efforts on the broader Benelux region and Northern France, leveraging its cross-border expertise and trusted ecosystem to guide entrepreneurs and business owners through the most critical transitions of their journey.[10][11]
Key Developments
- 2012 – Collibra Series A Advisory
Ventures4Growth acted as strategic advisor during Collibra’s €1 million Series A fundraising, led by Newion Investments. This positioned V4G at the foundation of what would become Belgium’s first data governance unicorn, now valued at over $5 billion.
- 2015 – Acquisition of Emerio
V4G acquired Emerio, a strategic corporate finance boutique and IPO advisor founded in 2007. The acquisition added IPO readiness and capital structuring to V4G’s toolkit, particularly for growth-stage firms seeking listing on platforms like Alternext Brussels.
- 2015 – Tobania Merger Orchestrated by V4G
V4G acted as the matchmaker behind the merger of Tobius and Saga Consulting Group, forming Tobania, one of Belgium’s largest IT service providers at the time. The fusion addressed succession and profitability issues, growing the group to 650 employees and €64 million projected revenue. Founder Chris Raman noted it as the largest deal in V4G’s history and praised the strategic fit and complementary service portfolios.
- 2016 – Orbit One Acquisition Facilitated by V4G
Ventures4Growth advised on the acquisition of Orbit One by Deloitte, transferring 50 consultants to strengthen Deloitte’s Business Insights & Controlling arm—a high-impact transaction that solidified V4G’s mid-cap M&A credentials.
- June 2016 – Eric De Bruyckere Joins as Managing Partner
Former PwC and BDO executive Eric De Bruyckere brought over 35 years of corporate finance expertise to V4G, helping scale operations, deepen client engagements, and systematize deal execution across succession and M&A services.
- November 2023 – Paul-Yvon Billiet Joins as Executive Partner
With a background at Bank Degroof and Edmond de Rothschild, Paul-Yvon Billiet joined V4G as Executive Partner. His arrival marked a new chapter in business development and mid-cap dealmaking, drawing on a vast financial markets network.
- June 2024 – Merger with Affix Corporate Finance
In June 2024, Ventures4Growth merged with Affix Corporate Finance, a Brussels-based firm specializing in family business transmissions. Operating under the Ventures4Growth brand, this strategic union expanded V4G’s service offerings to include comprehensive valuation studies, mergers and acquisitions, strategic fundraising, and financial restructuring. The merger aimed to further enhance support for SMEs and family-owned businesses, with offices located in Brussels better serving french speaking markets.
Industrie Focus
Ventures4Growth focuses on industries with strong growth trajectories and meaningful transformation potential. The firm prioritizes sectors where innovation, consolidation, and succession planning are central to long-term value creation. Its advisory and investment activities span both early-stage ventures and established mid-market companies, particularly in areas where strategic transitions are most pressing.
- Technology & Software
Encompassing enterprise SaaS, AI-enabled platforms, cybersecurity, and digital transformation—often with direct applications in manufacturing, logistics, and business services. V4G brings experience in scaling B2B tech companies and structuring exits or strategic partnerships in these domains.
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
Covering digital health, diagnostics, medical services, and biotech-enabled innovation. The firm supports companies operating at the intersection of health, ageing populations, and systems modernization.
- Industrial & Consumer Products
This includes manufacturing, metalworking, chemicals, and construction materials, alongside branded consumer products and agri-food businesses. V4G focuses on companies with operational depth, regional presence, and potential for consolidation or strategic repositioning.
- Logistics, Infrastructure & Sustainability
Spanning transport and warehousing, green construction, smart renovation, and circular solutions. The firm has worked with businesses addressing both the operational and sustainability imperatives of the Benelux and Northern French markets.
- Talent, Skills & Workforce Transition
Rather than traditional EdTech, Ventures4Growth supports companies and initiatives responding to talent shortages, ageing leadership, and sector-wide succession challenges—particularly in technical trades, production environments, and essential services.
Services and Programs
Ventures4Growth provides integrated support to business owners, management teams, and investors navigating strategic transitions—whether through growth, acquisition, or succession. Its services combine financial advisory with sector-specific insight, delivered through a long-term, hands-on approach.
1. Buy-Side M&A Advisory Ventures4Growth assists strategic buyers, private investors, and management teams in sourcing and acquiring companies:
- Target identification and direct outreach
- Commercial and financial assessment
- Deal structuring and negotiation
- Cross-border execution (Benelux and Northern France)
- Strategic Mentorship: Experienced guidance for buyers new to M&A or sector transitions
2. Ownership Succession & Business Transfers The firm is known for supporting family-owned and founder-led businesses in preparing and executing succession plans:
- Valuation ranges and fiscal impact planning
- Selection and onboarding of MBI/MBO candidates
- Structuring of phased exits or generational transitions
- Mentor-led coaching for both outgoing and incoming leaders
3. Sell-Side Advisory & Strategic Exits Ventures4Growth supports SMEs preparing for a full or partial sale, merger, or strategic partnership:
- Confidential buyer outreach and positioning
- Investor presentation and data room coordination
- Due diligence support and negotiation
- Networking Opportunities: Access to a vetted network of acquirers and investors
4. Capital Structuring & Growth Funding The firm advises on capital raising across early growth, expansion, or pre-exit stages.:
- Fundraising strategy and valuation alignment
- Capital matchmaking with VC, PE, family offices, and banks
- IPO Readiness: Support for public listing strategy and sponsor preparation
- Roadshow Coordination: Structuring investor dialogues and feedback cycles
5. Strategic Repositioning & Acceleration Ventures4Growth works with companies undergoing transformation, often through market repositioning, business model adjustment, or consolidation:
- Go-to-market and scale-up strategy
- Simplification of group or equity structures
- Acceleration Programs: Tailored guidance for high-growth potential firms
- Mentorship Access: Involving sector experts or experienced entrepreneurs
6. Valuation & Financial Diagnostics The firm delivers objective, multi-method valuations and financial insights to support decisions around succession, funding, or acquisition:
- SME-tailored valuation models
- Scenario analysis and sensitivity testing
- Benchmarking with sector-specific data
7. Programmatic Tracks In select cases, Ventures4Growth develops dedicated tracks for client needs:
- Pre-exit succession planning for family businesses
- Investor readiness and IPO support
- Buy-and-build mandates across selected sectors
- Cross-border expansion programs focused on Benelux and Northern France
Industry Impact
Ventures4Growth is an established player in Belgium’s M&A and entrepreneurial finance landscape. Over the past decade, the firm has actively contributed to the economic fabric of the region by facilitating ownership transitions, fostering innovation, and supporting the scaling of growth companies. Its advisory work has enabled sustainable job creation, sector consolidation, and the professionalization of succession practices.
With an estimated 77% of Belgian businesses being family-owned, Ventures4Growth has become a trusted advisor in ensuring continuity across generations—especially within industries facing labour shortages, ageing founders, or fragmented value chains. The firm has emphasized early preparation for succession, realistic valuation awareness, and structured buyer engagement as critical success factors.
In addition to its role in family business transitions, V4G has supported innovation in sectors ranging from digital health and SaaS to green renovation and agri-food processing, contributing to a more resilient and competitive SME base. Its footprint spans both Flanders and Wallonia, with an increasing presence in Brussels and Northern France, reinforcing cross-border synergies in the broader mid-market economy.
Ventures4Growth’s impact is not measured solely by deal volume, but by its contribution to long-term value creation: helping companies evolve, consolidate, or transition with clarity, integrity, and strategic foresight.
Public Commentary
Ventures4Growth has consistently contributed to the public discourse around entrepreneurship, succession, and SME investment readiness in Belgium. Its founder has been an outspoken advocate for preparing business owners for strategic transitions long before retirement or exit becomes urgent.
A frequently cited statistic in his commentary—only 7% of entrepreneurs are aware of their company’s real value—has underlined the critical need for early-stage valuation and awareness. This insight is echoed in V4G’s advisory work and was emphasized in public seminars, LinkedIn articles, and media interviews. In particular, a 2023 LinkedIn post outlined how family businesses can successfully prepare for a sale while safeguarding their legacy—highlighting both emotional and operational aspects of succession.
In addition to mainstream visibility through Trends and Kanaal Z, V4G has also been recognized for its early warnings about Belgium’s succession bottleneck, pointing to demographic pressure from an aging founder generation and a shortfall of prepared successors. These insights have informed Ventures4Growth’s own methodologies, particularly in family business transitions, where timing, trust, and storytelling often matter as much as numbers.
The firm’s public stance has always combined realism with constructive optimism: rather than focusing on exit alone, V4G frames succession as an opportunity to reinvent, scale, or strengthen legacy businesses through new ownership dynamics—whether led by insiders, external buyers, or next-gen family member.
References
- ↑ "News". Ventures4Growth. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ↑ Raman, Chris. "Benelux M&A: A New Day Has Begun - The Combination of Ventures4Growth and XUKCE". LinkedIn. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ↑ "Ventures4Growth neemt Emerio over". Made In Oost-Vlaanderen (in Nederlands). Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ↑ "Orbit One vaart voortaan onder de vlag van Deloitte". Made In Oost-Vlaanderen (in Nederlands). Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ↑ Raman, Chris. "How to Sell Your Family Business Whilst Preserving Legacy". LinkedIn. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ↑ "Eric De Bruyckere wordt Managing Partner bij V4G". Made In Oost-Vlaanderen (in Nederlands). Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ↑ "V4G klaar voor fusie- en overnamegolf in kmo-sector". Made In Oost-Vlaanderen (in Nederlands). Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ↑ "Ken jij de waarde van je onderneming?". KMO Insider (in Nederlands). Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ↑ "V4G verwacht golf van fusies en overnames in kmo-land". Made In Oost-Vlaanderen (in Nederlands). Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ↑ Chris Raman. "Mastering the Art of the LAW: Keys to Smooth Mergers and Acquisitions" (PDF). Ventures4Growth. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
- ↑ "Investment Readiness – Summary Report, Brussels, 28 November 2006" (PDF). European Commission, Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry. Retrieved 2025-04-09.