Interview with Margot Engels
Investing in healthcare has pros and cons. In addition to the financial aspect, social responsibility is at least as important. Substantive knowledge of the product, the sector and market movements are therefore essential, as Margot Engels also knows.
Even though I have only been with Holland Capital for a few years, I have actually been associated with them for quite a long time. I was director at Opdidakt, a provider of youth care in an outpatient setting, when Holland Capital invested in them. After Opdidakt was sold, a few years later, at Hubert’s request, I became involved in other investments by Holland Capital in the healthcare sector. Since 2019, I have officially joined the team as a partner.
Work hands-on
I now use the experience I bring from healthcare when assessing possible investments. You are better able to judge if you do or have done it yourself. In addition, I really enjoy working hands – on at companies. Especially because you do it together with management. They have built a great company and I bring some of my own experience. We try to bundle this together and then you get: The best of both worlds. In some cases you have to tackle difficult topics and discuss it, this also grows your mutual relationship. There will always be times when things get a little more difficult, but the fact that you do that together and have built a relationship makes it interesting and provides a solution that works for both
“BY STANDING IN THE FIELD YOURSELF, YOU SEE TRENDS ARISING”
No Compromises on quality
nvesting in a healthcare company must be done thoroughly. In healthcare you cannot and do not want to compromise on quality. The focus is therefore always on making the service as efficient and effective as possible, without making any concessions to the quality of the care provided. If you bring these two components together, you often achieve a positive result at the bottom line.
Trend watch
To know whether an organization suits us, we always look at what the market needs. In my sector, healthcare, we follow trends such as aging, accessibility and costs of care, but prevention is also an important theme. For example, we know that a lot of thought is now being given to how to prevent patients from being “seen” at too late a stage. That is a difficult business model, but socially very relevant. We expect this to develop even further in the coming years. By being in the field yourself, you hear and see these trends and we try to anticipate them.
Digitalization
In recent years, a need for digitalization has arisen in order to continue providing care. While people are concerned that there will be too few available healthcare professionals to provide the desired care in 2040, we have recently seen that healthcare providers are increasing the use of digital care. This means that the future shortage of employees may be filled in 20 years with digital support. The healthcare sector is conservative and hesitant about changes, but when changes have taken place, you will hear people often find it workable and of good quality. It is up to us to help the companies we invest in to maintain their current level and grow further in the field of digitalization.
Investing in healthcare
The major advantage of investing in healthcare is that demand is a lasting factor and will continue to increase over time. In addition, payment risks are minimized because healthcare payers are financially strong. That is a certainty that you have less in the free market sector. It is important for the paying parties that care must remain accessible, of good quality, but certainly also affordable.
Team effort
What I find strong and distinctive about our teams is the extensive knowledge we have amassed in the markets where we are active. It’s evident that we are specialists in these areas. We are always active in various niches within the healthcare and technology markets, but also at the cutting edge of digital health. I am really impressed how we can operate in such a specialist manner with our teams. This is also reflected in discussions with potential investments. People are positively surprised by our knowledge. I have to give big credits to our healthcare and technology teams for that. Not only are we specialists on paper, but we really are!
Want to read more interviews?
For Holland Capital’s 40th anniversary, the ’40 years of Holland Capital booklet’ was created. This book highlights the development and approach of Holland Capital from various perspectives.
Our participation CytoSmart has been designated by Microsoft as a promising AI and cloud computing scale-up
Amsterdam, 16th of January 2019 – Our participation CytoSmart has been designated by Microsoft as a promising AI and cloud computing scale-up. Nine Dutch startups are joining Microsoft’s virtual ScaleUp program. The participating startups are developing solutions for...
Onze deelneming CytoSmart is door Microsoft aangewezen als veelbelovende AI en cloud-computing scale-up
Amsterdam, 16 januari 2019 - Onze deelneming CytoSmart is door Microsoft aangewezen als veelbelovende AI en cloud-computing scale-up. Negen Nederlandse startups nemen deel aan het virtuele ScaleUp-programma van Microsoft. De deelnemende startups ontwikkelen...
Holland Venture continues as Holland Capital
The experienced and hands-on investor in Healthcare and Technology Amsterdam, 10 January 2019 – As of today, Holland Venture will continue as Holland Capital. The new name reflects the current positioning of the investor; with various funds, Holland Capital invests in...
Holland Venture gaat verder als Holland Capital
De ervaren en hands-on investeerder in Healthcare en Technology Amsterdam, 10 januari 2019 – Vanaf heden gaat Holland Venture verder onder de naam Holland Capital. De nieuwe naam weerspiegelt de bestaande positionering van de investeerder; Holland Capital investeert...
Avensus Group expands its cloud activities by acquiring Client ICT
Amsterdam, 17th of December 2018 – Avensus Group acquires IT services company Client ICT. Client ICT focuses on midcap organisations with projects and managed services. This fits seamlessly in the ambitious buy-and-build strategy that Avensus, with the support of...
Avensus Groep breidt cloud activiteiten uit met overname Cliënt ICT
Amsterdam, 17 december 2018 – Avensus Groep neemt IT-dienstverlener Cliënt ICT over. Cliënt ICT richt zich met projecten en managed services op middelgrote organisaties. Dit past perfect in de ambitieuze buy-and-build strategie die Avensus, met steun van investeerder...
Amsterdam
Krijn Taconiskade 426
1087 HW Amsterdam
+31 (0) 20 3119411
Düsseldorf
Königsallee 42
40212 Düsseldorf
+49 (0) 211 96290120
Contact
info@hollandcapital.nl