Patrick Claessen

Patrick Claessen has 25+ years’ experience in investment management of innovative technology driven businesses. Before Cottonwood he was part of the Brightlands Venture Partners team, an impact venture capital fund manager iwith focus on renewable chemistry and materials, agrifood, sustainability and health. As a Senior Investment Manager of BVP Fund IV, Chemelot Ventures and the Brightlands Agrifood Fund he acted as a shareholder representative and board member for several portfolio companies.

Prior to BVP, Patrick held various positions at multinational RWE (previously Essent), including Senior Participations Manager, leading several corporate venture investments, and director of multiple joint ventures in the energy sector. Before that, he was an Investment Manager at BOM Capital, responsible for investing in technology driven early stage ventures, and an Analyst at Van Lanschot Corporate Finance as well as Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (formerly Sakura Bank).

Patrick holds a master’s degree in Business Economics from Tilburg University in the Netherlands.