Böschen Family Invests Own Capital in New IT Platform
Unique in every way — that is the Böschen family.
For three generations, they have built their legacy as entrepreneurs across multiple sectors. With the acquisition of four IT companies in just over a year, Böschen IT Investments is off to a strong start with its ambitious buy, build and hold strategy. Together with the deal team at Marktlink, Harry Böschen and Kevin Philippen continue to search for vertical software companies and IT Managed Service Providers across Europe that are ready to join their growing group.
What started as a client relationship has since evolved into a true partnership between Böschen and Marktlink, according to Harry and Kevin. “We hold family values in high regard, keep our deal structures simple and always put the entrepreneur first. Dealmakers Jelle Rutgers and Dave Kooij have translated our vision into a compelling deal package that consistently conveys the unique value of our proposition. Our goals for the future are ambitious, but we’re confident we’ll achieve them.”
Ongoing consolidation in IT and software: Jelle and Dave share that confidence. “There is significant consolidation happening in the IT and software sectors, and at Marktlink we know exactly which businesses might be a good fit for Böschen IT Investments. We also see growing interest from entrepreneurs who are actively looking to join a larger investor. Over the past year, we’ve successfully closed acquisitions of Comsenso, Infoprojects and Encaps BV — all companies that had already engaged their own advisors, with concrete plans to sell.”
“Jelle and Dave understand what drives us as entrepreneurs. They continue to connect us with the right people, at the right time. They clearly understand the market and how to navigate it.”
– Harry Böschen & Kevin Philippen, Böschen
A long-term partner mindset: What makes the Böschen family so effective, according to the dealmakers, is the clarity and transparency of their investment model. “They are a unique mix between a strategic partner and a private equity investor. As the investment arm of their family office, Böschen IT Investments works with a long-term horizon and has no exit strategy. Once they decide to proceed with an acquisition, the equity is immediately in place. This is an active investor, one that contributes to long-term strategy and takes a real interest in company culture and leadership.”
Becoming part of the family: Every company that joins Böschen IT Investments can expect a personal introduction to Harry Böschen Sr. “He is rightfully proud of the family’s story and takes time to connect with every new addition to the family office,” explain Jelle and Dave. “Once the acquisition is complete, companies are truly welcomed as a full part of the Böschen family business. Within the IT group, Harry Jr. plays an active role in safeguarding the family’s interests, while Kevin brings a wealth of hands-on experience from the IT world.”
In an increasingly competitive M&A landscape, Böschen and Marktlink face a welcome challenge: to keep expanding through buy and build. Harry and Kevin are optimistic. “With Marktlink as an extension of our team, we are confident this will happen. Jelle and Dave understand what drives us and consistently bring the right opportunities to the table. Their market knowledge and network add real value to reaching our goals.”