Lorenz Bogaert

Lorenz Bogaert is a prominent figure in the Belgian and broader European tech ecosystem, known for his dual roles as a serial entrepreneur and an active early-stage investor. As a co-founder of the Ghent-based startup studio StarApps, he is deeply involved in building and scaling new ventures from the ground up, leveraging a hands-on approach to company creation. His entrepreneurial journey includes the successful co-founding of Netlog (later Twoo.com), which was acquired by Meetic (Match Group), providing him with significant operational experience that he now applies to his investment activities.

Bogaert's primary vehicle for early-stage investments is Pitchdrive, an investment fund he co-founded with Wim Derkinderen and Boris Bogaert. Pitchdrive strategically focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage technology startups, primarily in Europe, with a strong emphasis on B2B SaaS, fintech, and deep tech sectors. The fund is characterized by its founder-friendly approach, offering not only capital but also extensive operational support, mentorship, and access to a vast network of experts and follow-on investors. Pitchdrive aims to be the first institutional money in, helping startups de-risk and achieve their next funding milestones.

Pitchdrive has demonstrated a robust investment pace and significant capital deployment. For instance, Pitchdrive II, launched in 2022, raised €25 million, enabling the fund to support approximately 20-25 promising startups. Typical initial check sizes from Pitchdrive range from €250,000 to €1.5 million, reflecting their commitment to providing substantial early capital to help founders achieve product-market fit and initial traction. This strategic investment size allows them to take meaningful stakes in companies at their most critical early stages, often co-investing with other reputable venture capital firms.

Through Pitchdrive, Bogaert and his team seek out ambitious founders with disruptive ideas, offering a blend of strategic guidance and financial backing. Their portfolio includes companies like Deliverect, Keyrock, and Cashforce, showcasing their ability to identify and support high-growth potential businesses. His involvement underscores a commitment to fostering innovation and contributing to the growth of the European startup landscape, leveraging his deep operational insights to guide portfolio companies towards success.