Operations Team: Data-Driven Private Equity for SME Growth
Building the operational backbone for Europe's next generation of leaders
Our team delivers the technology, processes, and support systems that enable our CIRs to focus on what matters most – creating value for our investors.
Bart Houben
CFO
Bart is a strategic investment and financial leader bringing two decades of comprehensive experience across the full deal lifecycle in Private Equity, Venture Capital, and M&A. He expertly pairs deep investor acumen with hands-on Operational CFO leadership, having guided financial strategy for startups, SMEs, and investment funds. Bart is also a committed steward of corporate governance, providing strategic oversight on company boards where he has served as observer, adviser, full member, and chair. His expertise is instrumental in creating the financial architecture required to achieve sustained, high-growth outcomes for WAD Capital and its portfolio.
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Executed Full Deal Lifecycle across two decades in PE, VC, and M&A.
Drove Operational Excellence as hands-on CFO for multiple startups and SMEs.
Provided Strategic Oversight serving across all board capacities (Chair, Member, Adviser, Observer).
Optimized Financial Strategy to achieve sustained, high-growth outcomes for portfolio companies.
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Direct Financial Strategy and operational excellence for WAD Capital and its portfolio.
Utilize M&A/PE Acumen to inform investment decisions and optimize returns.
Lead Governance & Risk Management to ensure strict compliance and effective mitigation.
Integrate Investor Insight with financial leadership to drive value creation.
Market Intelligence
We analyse industry trends and verify key data points, giving GPs and CEOs-in-Residence accurate, actionable insights at every stage.
Search Phase Support
We provide operational and analytical backing to CEOs-in-Residence, helping them navigate sourcing, diligence, and deal preparation efficiently.
Talent Pipeline
We identify and screen candidates for future CEO cohorts, building the pool from which GPs select CEOs-in-Residence.
Vincent King
COO
Vincent is an entrepreneurial business leader with over a decade of experience scaling companies and driving operational excellence across B2B Service, SaaS, and data-driven industries. His expertise lies in transforming businesses, enhancing profitability, and leading growth in complex, high-stakes environments.
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Founded & Scaled SaaS to €200K MRR in 6 months
Built a consulting unit from €0 to €8M in the DACH region
Led M&A and integrated acquisitions into operations
Delivered 100+ data, AI, and BI projects across Europe
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Drive strategic operational process improvements
Implement data-driven workflows to boost scalability
Lead AI and analytics projects delivering measurable ROI
Design and refine processes for predictable growth
Céline van Aalst
Legal Counsel
Céline is a corporate M&A lawyer with a decade of experience structuring transactions for entrepreneurs, investors, and boards across the Belgian and cross-border SME market. Her expertise spans M&A, venture capital, and complex corporate transactions across technology and scale-up ecosystems — with particular depth in shareholder agreements and the legal architecture that underpins growth and succession deals. She pairs rigorous corporate law expertise with a pragmatic, deal-oriented approach: known for staying calm under pressure and moving quickly from problem to solution.
At WAD Capital, Céline is the legal backbone across every transaction — supporting CIRs from LOI through closing and post-acquisition integration, and ensuring the fund and its portfolio operate with speed, compliance, and regulatory integrity as an FSMA-registered PRIVAK.
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Advised on M&A and Venture Capital Transactions across Belgian and cross-border deals. Structured Complex Corporate Deals for entrepreneurs, scale-ups, and institutional investors. Guided Founders through Capital Rounds and Growth Financings in Belgium's tech and innovation ecosystem.
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Structure and Negotiate Deal Documentation across LOIs, SPAs, shareholder agreements, and LBO frameworks.
Coordinate Legal Due Diligence and cross-border navigation across Belgian and Dutch structures.
Oversee AIFMD and FSMA Compliance for WAD Capital as a registered PRIVAK.
Systematise the Legal Function — templating, automating, and scaling legal infrastructure alongside active CIRs.
At WAD Capital, our operational team's collective expertise drives our commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent and sustaining the growth of European SMEs.
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Aniello
Investment Associate
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Andrea
Marketing & Office Manager
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Bartel
Investment Analyst
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Nghi Pham
Associate Intern
The Development Team
Precision intelligence that turns market noise into investment opportunities
Our Deal Intelligence platform is WAD Capital's proprietary CRM system that transforms how CEOs-in-Residence identify and evaluate acquisition targets. Integrated with AI-powered data sources, it delivers comprehensive financial profiles, automated screening, and intelligent filtering, turning weeks of manual research into hours of focused analysis. The team behind this system ensures our technology infrastructure scales seamlessly with each cohort, enabling CEOs-in-residence to move with speed and precision.
Ready to shape the future of European SMEs?
Join WAD Capital internship program and gain hands-on experience in deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio operations.