Cottonwood Technology Fund is happy to announce that Patrick Claessen will be joining Cottonwood Technology Fund as Partner starting June 1, 2022. He will be working at our office in the Netherlands. Patrick has 25+ years’ experience in investment management of innovative technology-driven businesses

Before joining Cottonwood Technology Fund, Patrick worked at Brightlands Venture Partners, an impact venture capital fund manager in the Southern Netherlands with a 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, Patrick acted as a shareholder representative and board member for several portfolio companies.
Furthermore, Patrick held various positions at Essent during his 10-year employment at the company, including Senior Participations Manager, leading several corporate venture investments, and director of multiple joint ventures in the energy sector.
Prior to that he worked as an Investment Manager at the Brabant Development Agency (BOM), where he was responsible for investing in technology-driven early stage ventures, and as an Analyst at Van Lanschot Corporate Finance as well as Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (formerly Sakura Bank).

Patrick holds a MSc degree in Business Economics from Tilburg University and a master’s degree in Financial & Strategic Management from VLEKHO Business School.