NEWTREE IMPACT

Benoît de Bruyn

Founder

FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR & BOARD MEMBER

Benoit is an experienced entrepreneur with a mission to fight climate change through the Agri-Food revolution. He created his first company in 2001 and established Newtree Impact in 2021 to invest in innovative Agri-Food tech startups. Alongside his 24-year entrepreneurial journey, Benoit served as financial director at Floridienne, gaining extensive expertise in M&A. Prior to that role, he established and managed the Brussels environmental branch at the Jan DE NUL group.

Having earned a degree in biochemical engineering, Benoit furthered his education by completing a management degree at the Solvay Business School in Brussels.

Thibaud de Saint-Quentin

PORTFOLIO ADVISOR & BOARD MEMBER

Thibaud advises Entrepreneurs, CEOs, and Private Investors to help them navigate through periods of significant change, lead transformation and maximize the operational value of their companies.

Previously, Thibaud held leadership roles at prominent organizations, including Blizzard Activision, where he oversaw all European business activities and managed a team of 340 people. Before that, he served as Vice-President of Kraft Foods (now Mondelez) where he was overseeing coffee activities in Europe and the UK.

Thibaud holds a degree from the ESSEC Business School and an MBA from the University of Illinois

Nathalie Peeters

INVESTORS RELATIONS MANAGER

Nathalie's career journey reflects a commitment to innovation and societal impact. Initially trained as a business engineer, she transitioned from her product role at Mastercard to entrepreneurship, founding Tuli, a business of reusable water bottles. She then delved deeper in digital marketing and later specialized in crowdfunding campaigns.
As Investor Relations Manager, Nathalie is bringing her entrepreneurial drive and corporate experience to Newtree's mission of impact investing.

Nathalie holds a degree in Business Engeneering from LSM.

Abhishek Anand

INVESTMENT ANALYST

Abhishek is the first employee of Newtree Impact and has accompanied its growth since the very beginning. His expertise lies in Corporate Finance, Valuation, and he possesses a profound understanding of the global Agri-Food industry landscape.

Before joining Newtree Impact, Abhishek developed his skills as a consultant at Wipro, where he gained valuable experience in a technological environment, specializing in SAP ABAP/CRM programming.

With a background in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's degree in Corporate Finance from SKEMA Business School, Abhishek brings a unique blend of technical acumen and financial expertise to the team,

Aymeric Stulemeyer

INVESTMENT ANALYST

Aymeric is the second investment analyst to join Newtree Impact. He brings expertise and a deep-seated passion for Finance and Sustainability. His academic journey at ICHEC delved into sustainable development, financial instruments, and financial markets, laying a solid groundwork for his current mission.

Before embarking on this role, Aymeric spent two years developing his financial skills and data treatment prowess in reporting at Degroof Petercam Asset Management (DPAM).

Aymeric’s objective is to make a meaningful contribution to the environment and society through impactful investments, making him an ideal fit for Newtree Impact.

Fabian Seunier

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
GROUP HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS AT ALIAXIS

Fabian brings over 20 years of expertise in corporate investments, partnerships, strategy, and entrepreneurship across various industries. His specific areas of industry knowledge include healthcare/biotech, food and ag-tech, water technology, financial services, and education.

Currently, Fabian holds the position of Group Head of Ecosystems and Partnerships at Aliaxis, where he is actively involved in corporate venturing and partnerships. Previously, Fabian served as a Senior Director of M&A at UCB.

In addition to his corporate roles, Fabian has also contributed to academia by teaching entrepreneurship and business strategy at the universities of Brussels and Louvain.

Nicolas Saillez

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER AT D'IETEREN GROUP

With over 26 years of experience in Corporate Finance, Nicolas brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Currently, he serves as the Chief Investment Officer for d'Ieteren Group, where he holds responsibility for overseeing all M&A activities.

Nicolas has held various corporate roles throughout his career, including serving as an advisor to the CEO of AviaPartner and as M&A Director for Belgacom. In addition to his extensive experience in corporate finance, he has also demonstrated proficiency in managing investment teams and leading origination efforts across multiple verticals. His areas of specialization include M&A, Corporate Finance, and Investment Strategy.

Frédéric Pouchain

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
CEO & INVESTOR AT WHITESTONE GROUP

With over 25 years of experience in investment management, Frederic is a seasoned professional in the field. He is currently serving as the CEO and Co-Founder of Whitestone Group, a holding company specializing in investments in both listed and non-listed companies in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Prior to his current position, Frederic held the role of Portfolio Manager for European Capital Partners and served as responsible for participations at CNP (Compagnie Nationale à Portefeuille). Additionally, he has worked as a consultant for McKinsey.

Frederic's areas of expertise include investments, private equity, and asset management, making him a valuable asset in guiding strategic investment decisions.

Serge Demoulin

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
INVESTMENT MANAGER AT IMBC

With more than 23 years of experience in investment management, Serge is a seasoned professional with a strong background in supporting startups and growth companies. He has spent the majority of his career at the IMBC Group, a significant investor in the Region of Mons, where he has held various roles and responsibilities. Beginning as an Analyst, Serge has steadily progressed within the organization and currently serves as a Senior Investment Manager.

Serge's depth of knowledge and experience make him a key asset in evaluating investment opportunities, analyzing financial data, and providing strategic guidance to support the growth and success of portfolio companies.

Alain Balthazart

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
INVESTMENT MANAGER AT NOSHAQ

Alain holds the position of Head of Agriculture and Agro-Industry at NOSHAQ, the principal investor of the Liege province. With a wealth of experience in project development and management, Alain has been instrumental in assisting companies with various management issues and technical challenges at the process, quality, and supply chain levels.

His previous roles include serving as a refuge director for la Croix Rouge, manager at AarhusKarlshamn, and several other. During his carreer and studies, he gained invaluable experience in Agri-Food, supply chain management, and technical processes.

Alain's extensive technical expertise and hands-on experience make him a valuable asset to the investment committee, where he contributes insights and guidance to evaluate investment opportunities and support the growth of portfolio companies.

Udaiyan Jatar

Board member

BOARD MEMBER
CMO & ENTREPRENEUR (USA)

Udaiyan is a visionary leader renowned for his remarkable ability to drive transformative innovation across a spectrum of organizations, spanning from industry giants like Coca-Cola to pioneering startups and impactful nonprofits.

Udaiyan co-founded a startup called Tecton in 2016 that currently valued at $50M+. One of Udaiyan's notable achievements includes his instrumental role in envisioning and facilitating the creation of Coke Freestyle. Today, Coke Freestyle stands as a billion-dollar revenue generator,

Udaiyan trained and mentored thousands of Fortune 500 executives and acclaimed scientists. Through his guidance, these individuals have been empowered to lead scalable innovation initiatives, resulting in the development of numerous patents and transformative solutions that have reshaped industries.

Michael Baum

Board member

BOARD MEMBER
CEO & FOUNDER (USA)

With an innovation journey spanning over 25 years and encompassing six companies, Michael's contributions have been nothing short of transformative. His illustrious track record includes leading five successful acquisitions, orchestrating one IPO, and creating over 3,500 jobs. Moreover, his endeavors have led to the emergence of 150 millionaires and generated more than $25 billion in shareholder value.

Notably, Michael's entrepreneurial ventures include the founding of Splunk, a pioneering company now listed on Nasdaq, and more recently, Yope, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering conscientious young leaders with innovative projects aimed at driving positive change.

In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Michael is actively involved as an investor and board member in several esteemed companies, including Gemini, Konux, and ICEYE. His diverse portfolio reflects his commitment to supporting and nurturing the next generation of innovative enterprises poised to make a meaningful impact on the world.

Prof. Dr. Bruno Colmant

Board member

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER

Bruno Colmant is a distinguished Belgian academic, financier, tax expert, author, and economist, currently holding the esteemed position of CEO at the Foundation against Cancer. Throughout his illustrious career, Bruno has held numerous notable positions. Previously, he served as the CEO of the renowned Belgian private bank Degroof Petercam, as well as fulfilling roles such as director at consulting firm Roland Berger and CEO of the Brussels Stock Exchange.

In addition to his professional commitments, Bruno has dedicated much of his time to academia, teaching at esteemed universities such as UCL, Vlerick, ULB, and ICHEC. Bruno also serves as an independent board member in various companies.

With a wealth of experience and expertise, Bruno has authored 80 books on finance, accounting, and taxation, and has published over 5,000 financial press articles. His unparalleled knowledge and insights make him an invaluable asset to the board of Newtree Impact.

Raymond Vaxelaire

Board member

BOARD MEMBER

Raymond is the eldest member of the fourth generation of the Vaxelaire family, founders of the renowned GB Inno BM group. This group held a prominent position in Belgium, serving as the leading retail group in the country during the 1980s. Its subsidiaries included prominent brands such as GB (later renamed Carrefour), Inno, Brico, Auto 5, Di Sport, Quick, Lunch Garden, among others. With a remarkable tenure of 32 years within the Gib group, Raymond played a pivotal role as the last family member to lead one of the group's companies, Galeria Inno.

Raymond's expertise lies in retail and chain stores, and he has been instrumental in the Belgian distribution market, collaborating closely with Germany's Kaufhof. Today, he is dedicated to supporting professionals in the distribution sector, leveraging his extensive experience to mentor and guide them. His wealth of knowledge and experience in European markets and distribution chains will be invaluable as Newtree Impact navigates investments in this sector.

Emilie Dallemagne

Board member

BOARD MEMBER
LEGAL DIRECTOR

Emilie serves as the Legal Director of SODAPHI Group, a Belgian privately owned company that strategically invests in sectors poised for future growth, including healthcare, real estate, electric mobility, and tourism. Known for its unwavering commitment to its values, SODAPHI is deeply dedicated to the projects it supports, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and responsibility.

Prior to her role at SODAPHI, Emilie forged a successful career as a lawyer, specializing in structuring funds for institutional investors. Her legal expertise in navigating complex financial structures and investment vehicles significantly contributed to her professional journey.

Emilie's passion for identifying and implementing disruptive solutions to environmental challenges is evident through her active involvement on the board of the iGravity fund in Zurich. Her dedication to driving positive change aligns seamlessly with Newtree Impact's mission and values.