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Gryphion Capital
Gryphion Capital was established in 2018 by Robert Thielen after he built Waterland Private Equity Investments into a leading European buyout platform.
Gryphion Capital
Gryphion Capital was established in 2018 by Robert Thielen after he built Waterland Private Equity Investments into a leading European buyout platform. Thielen serves as Founder and Chairman while continuing as Chairman of Waterland's Supervisory Board. The firm invests on behalf of Thielen and a small number of additional high-net-worth families. Gryphion deploys capital through direct investments, large co-investments and special situations. Asset classes include private equity, private credit, real estate and liquid securities. Confirmed holdings comprise Cinesite since 2019, Emsere since 2019, Welbeck Health Partners since 2024, LeefEnergieBewust since 2024, Brisker since 2025, Moliera2 since 2022 and Marina Development Corporation since 2022. The firm concentrates on Western Europe with additional exposure in Poland and Italy and maintains selective North American reach through portfolio operations. The team consists of four professionals operating from Amsterdam with satellite offices in London and Antwerp. Gryphion supports philanthropic vehicles including the Blue Marine Foundation and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. In 2026 Antin Infrastructure Partners acquired Emsere from Gryphion. The firm also holds residential and mixed-use real estate assets in the Netherlands, Italy, Monaco, the United Kingdom and France. Gryphion's structure separates the family office from Waterland's fund management business, allowing Thielen to pursue opportunistic direct investments and co-investments alongside external partners such as Elbrus Capital without fund-level constraints or fixed holding periods.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
2018
Location
Region
Europe
Country
Netherlands
City
Amsterdam
Corporate office
Barbara Strozzilaan 201, 1083 HN, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Additional offices
London · Antwerp
Principals
Robert Thielen
Founder and Chairman
William Ford
Chief Investment Officer
Ruth Baert
Chief Financial Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Gryphion Capital?
Robert Thielen serves as Founder and Chairman. William Ford acts as Chief Investment Officer and sets investment strategy after thirteen years at Waterland Private Equity Investments.
How does Gryphion Capital source proprietary deal flow?
The firm leverages Thielen's network from Waterland and relationships with co-investors including Elbrus Capital. It targets transactions between €20 million and €200 million enterprise value in Western Europe.
Does Gryphion Capital participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Gryphion focuses on direct investments and large-scale co-investments. It also allocates to special situations and maintains a portfolio of liquid securities.
What investment stages does Gryphion Capital typically target?
The firm pursues buyout, growth and early-stage opportunities. Portfolio examples include growth equity in healthcare services and media production.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
Wealth originates from Robert Thielen's founding and leadership of Waterland Private Equity Investments, which manages €20 billion in equity across twelve European countries.
Does Gryphion Capital maintain philanthropic structures?
Yes. The firm supports the Blue Marine Foundation, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Space for Giants through direct contributions and yacht-club affiliations.
What is Gryphion Capital's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
Gryphion regularly joins co-investments and has partnered with Elbrus Capital. It also executed a secondary sale of Emsere to Antin Infrastructure Partners in 2026.
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