VC & PRIVATE EQUITY MEDIATION

For founders, investors and portfolio companies

Conflict within a startup, scaleup or portfolio (or platform) companies can quickly affect decision-making, relationships and ultimately the value of the business.

I provide independent and confidential conflict resolution for founders, investors, shareholders, boards and management teams in Venture Capital and Private Equity-backed companies.

Based in Amsterdam, I work throughout the Netherlands and internationally.

FOUNDER & CO-FOUNDER CONFLICTS

As a startup grows into a scaleup, roles change, new investors become involved and expectations about leadership, strategy and the future may begin to diverge.

Conflicts often concern:

  • strategy, roles and leadership;

  • equity and shareholdings;

  • financing and new investors;

  • governance and decision-making;

  • performance;

  • a founder or co-founder exit.

Independent mediation or facilitated conversations can help before positions become entrenched - whether the aim is to continue together or find a workable way to separate.

VENTURE CAPITAL: FOUNDERS & INVESTORS

Venture Capital investment changes the dynamics of a company.

Tensions between founders and investors may arise around performance, strategy, leadership, financing, governance or the role of the board.

Independent conflict resolution can help founders, Venture Capital investors and board members address the underlying issues and determine what needs to happen next.

exploreMediation has also been active in facilitating talks and mediate the leaders/partners in Venture Captial firms.

PRIVATE EQUITY: MANAGEMENT & SHAREHOLDERS

In Private Equity-backed companies, management, boards and shareholders may have different perspectives on performance, transformation, governance, leadership or an eventual exit.

Mediation provides an independent and confidential setting to address these issues while keeping the commercial interests of the company firmly in view.

FOR VC & PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTORS

Conflict within a portfolio company can consume management attention, delay decisions and ultimately affect value.

I can provide an independent external resource for Venture Capital and Private Equity firms when a portfolio company becomes stuck, including:

  • founder and co-founder conflicts;

  • founder–investor disputes;

  • management and shareholder conflicts;

  • boardroom disputes;

  • leadership changes and exits.

Not every situation requires formal mediation. Sometimes a small number of facilitated conversations at an earlier stage is enough to get things moving again.

BUSINESS, LEGAL & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

I am an MfN-registered mediator, former corporate lawyer and executive coach, with extensive experience in international business and technology environments. This allows me to understand both the commercial and legal context of a conflict and the human dynamics behind it.

A CONFIDENTIAL FIRST CONVERSATION

You may not yet know whether mediation is the right next step.

If there is tension or conflict between founders, investors, shareholders, executives or board members, you are welcome to contact me to discuss the situation confidentially and without obligation.

Robert de Wilde
MfN-registered mediator | Former corporate lawyer | Executive coach