Shoe Investments

The firm relies on founder Pieter Schoen's personal network, built over two decades of operating and investing in the Netherlands, and on the deal-sourcing effort led by Investment Manager Pepijn van der Leije. Inbound opportunities come through the firm's reputation for writing early checks without demanding near-term exits. The team also leverages Venture Partner Ronald van der Heide's 20-year PE and M&A background to evaluate and structure transactions.

It operates as a hybrid. Pieter Schoen's personal capital funds the platform, and the firm uses an evergreen structure — no fund lifecycle, no forced exits — that resembles a single-family office. But the team, the institutionalized portfolio construction spanning direct stakes and LP commitments, and the VOC Capital Partners legacy sleeve push it closer to an emerging private equity manager.

VOC Capital Partners is a separate, earlier vehicle linked to Shoe Investments. The VOC portfolio includes Studyportals, Cleeng, Senior Service, and Hera Life — investments made before or alongside Shoe's direct book. Some of Pieter Schoen's capital is deployed through VOC, but Shoe Investments now operates as the primary platform for new direct deals and fund commitments.

Yes. The firm explicitly advertises 'no exit pressure' and has held portfolio companies like Mama's Maaltijden for more than a decade. This structure allows management teams to pursue long-term growth without the typical 5-7 year private equity holding window.

Pieter Schoen is the sole founder and ultimate decision-maker, supported by a six-person investment team led by Investment Managers Koen de Vrij, Pepijn van der Leije, and Tim Engels. Venture Partner Ronald van der Heide and CFO Lodewijk van der Heyden contribute deal evaluation and portfolio governance, but final investment committee authority rests with Schoen.

The firm does not publicly list exclusions, but the portfolio reveals an absence of fossil fuels, mining, defense, and heavy manufacturing. The stated focus is on fast-growing, scalable businesses led by strong entrepreneurs — which in practice has meant software, HR tech, financial services, food, and consumer products.

Shoe Investments has not disclosed a fundraise from external limited partners. The evergreen structure implies that Pieter Schoen's personal balance sheet and possibly family capital fund the direct book. VOC Capital Partners may have included external investors, but Shoe Investments itself appears to be a proprietary capital platform.