Join us for a conversation with Pieterjan Bouten, Founding and Managing Partner at Entourage, as he reflects on his journey from co-founding In the Pocket and scaling Showpad to $100 million ARR, to now building and funding the next generation of B2B SaaS companies through Entourage Studio and Entourage Capital.
He also shares insights on his role as an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Vlerick Entrepreneurship Academy and the vision behind Wintercircus, a hub for entrepreneurs, researchers, and digital creatives.
Pieterjan dives into the challenges and triumphs of scaling a global SaaS company, the evolution of his perspective as both an operator and investor, and how Entourage is redefining early-stage support for European founders. He also discusses the future of AI in B2B SaaS, the role of communities like Wintercircus, and what it takes for founders to stand out in today’s competitive landscape.
Key Points
- The motivations and early influences that drove Pieterjan to start building companies.
- Lessons from scaling Showpad from zero to $100 million ARR and +500 employees globally.
- How his perspective on founders has shifted after sitting on both sides of the table – as a CEO and now as an investor.
- The rationale behind combining a venture studio and VC fund at Entourage, and how the two models complement each other.
- Where Entourage fits into today’s European VC ecosystem, amid sector-specific funds and cautious capital deployment.
- The role of communities like Wintercircus in fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and ambition among the next generation of founders.
