What is it like to intern at Endeit?
New recruit, and recent intern, Maarten Zwerts, shares his experience.
What led you towards venture capital?
I’m from Belgium and studied Business Engineering at Solvay Business School in Brussels. It’s a programme that combines engineering and finance, so you learn to understand both technical and commercial perspectives. After graduating in 2025, I wanted broad exposure across the business and innovation ecosystem before committing to a specific career path, so started looking into opportunities.
What was your first experience in VC?
Through a university-supported programme, I was connected with an alumnus who had founded Close the Gap, an impact VC in Mombasa, Kenya, focused on providing refurbished IT equipment to support education and entrepreneurship. I was lucky to spend six weeks there working with early-stage founders, helping shape their ideas into businesses ready to raise their first round.
It deepened my belief in entrepreneurship as a tool for real change, and I was inspired by how founders were solving local problems with practical, scalable ideas. One founder I worked with was building a circular business that transformed highly nutritional fish-processing waste into animal feed for farmers, creating impact across multiple sectors.
How did you build on that experience?
After Kenya, I reached out to some companies and landed an initial internship at Wizecap in London, an M&A specialist focused on the digital economy. Thanks to my Dutch language skills, I supported Benelux deals by joining founder calls and helping with decks, valuations and research.
That experience gave me insight into the full deal lifecycle and confirmed that I really enjoyed understanding complex business models and working closely with founders at important stages of growth.
Why did Endeit stand out to you?
I researched European tech VCs and Endeit immediately stood out because of its reputation and investment focus. Its emphasis on European software sovereignty really resonated with me, as did its focus on strengthening Europe’s digital infrastructure, as well as the close collaboration with its LP network.
I applied and after the initial review I was asked to meet Endeit’s Fintech Partner, Jonne de Leeuw, who was going to be in London for a meeting. I wanted to show that I could add value, so before the meeting, I spent some time doing a deep dive and researched companies I thought would fit Endeit’s investment thesis and came prepared with ideas and opinions. That proactive approach, plus the early knowledge I’d gained working with founders, helped me secure the internship.
What does the internship involve?
From day one, I was involved in sourcing and evaluating companies - joining founder calls, conducting research, and helping assess investment opportunities.
At Endeit, interns are trusted with real responsibility. One of the tasks that I’ve really enjoyed is preparing investment one-pagers after initial founder meetings. These summaries provide the story that analyzes the company from a holistic, investible point-of-view. You really get to dig into the market opportunity, business model, founders, scalability, financials, and competitive landscape.
The process is collaborative: findings are shared with the wider team, discussed internally, and refined through feedback before investment decisions are made.
What stood out most during your internship?
The level of ownership. The more proactive you are, the more responsibility you receive, so you create your own personal flywheel effect. You’re treated like a full team member and gain exposure to the entire deal process: from sourcing and founder conversations through to investment decisions and deal execution.
I’m based in Amsterdam, but I also get to work closely with colleagues in the Stockholm and Hamburg offices, which has been really enjoyable and insightful. The team is incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and open to questions, which creates a strong learning environment.
What advice would you give future applicants?
Do your research and come prepared with your own investment ideas. Look into the sectors Endeit focuses on - Fintech, Climate Tech, Future of Work, and Security - and identify companies you believe are interesting and relevant.
What matters most is having a clear point of view and being able to explain your thinking: Why are you ‘bullish’ on them? What do you think the opportunity is? Why could they be right for Endeit’s portfolio? You don’tneed to be perfect or entirely correct; the internship is about learning, being curious, and making the most of the experience. So, make sure you’re ready to participate, gain insight and receive feedback. And importantly, enjoy the process!
