Nico Besselaar

One of the most influential people in my life has been my grandmother. Her story is a constant reminder of what strength, resilience, and quiet determination really look like. She survived a concentration camp as a child — from ages five to nine — and later earned a law degree in Holland. When she moved her entire family to the U.S., she found that her degree wasn’t recognized here. So she started over, taking on a variety of jobs—event planning, working in a china shop — whatever it took to support the family. But she never gave up on her passion for the law. Years later, she beat the odds and became the first female lawyer at the World Bank.

What I learned from her goes far beyond hard work. It’s about perseverance in the face of enormous setbacks, staying grounded in your purpose, and leading with quiet strength. Her example continues to shape how I approach challenges and how I think about opportunity — especially in environments that demand conviction and long-term thinking.

Growing up, I was fascinated by how businesses worked. I remember being a kid and paying more attention to how a company operated than what it sold. That curiosity turned into a real passion for entrepreneurship — the idea that you could take a problem, build something from scratch, and create value that didn’t exist before.

As I got older, I became equally interested in investing. I loved the strategic side of it — understanding markets, identifying patterns, and trying to make smart bets on what the future might look like. Venture capital ended up being the space where those two interests came together. It’s about backing founders at their earliest — and often most uncertain — moments, and helping them scale ideas into real businesses. That mix of creativity, conviction, and analytical thinking is what drew me in, and it’s what keeps me excited about the work.

Staying active is a big part of my life. I grew up playing sports and still enjoy the feeling of pushing myself physically — whether that’s in the gym, skiing, or just spending time outdoors. I also really enjoy traveling, trying new food, and learning about different cultures.

I really respect people who are thoughtful, direct, and consistent. I’ve always been drawn to people who hold themselves to a high standard but do it quietly — not because they want credit, but because it’s just how they operate. I also think how someone treats others — especially in inconvenient or difficult moments — says a lot.

What drew me to MVP — more than anything — was the people. It’s rare to find a team that’s both ambitious and down-to-earth, where everyone moves fast but still takes the time to support each other. From day one, it was clear that this was a group that really cares — not just about the work, but about doing it the right way and showing up for the people around them.

There’s a shared mindset here: do the work, stay humble, and bring others along with you. That kind of culture creates trust, and it shows in how we build relationships with founders, LPs, and each other. It’s a place where I feel challenged and supported at the same time.