Nic Pannekeet

Nic Pannekeet is a Dutch entrepreneur and investor, currently a Partner at PureTerra Ventures, an Amsterdam-based specialist VC firm investing globally in disruptive water companies. PureTerra says its team combines entrepreneurs, water experts and investors; its public team profile describes Pannekeet as an entrepreneur who was elected Best Dutch Entrepreneur in 2014, scaled a company to an IPO, and mentors fellow entrepreneurs.

Before PureTerra, Pannekeet built businesses in China. 98 Sparks says he moved to Shanghai in 1994 to study Mandarin Chinese after volunteering at age 18 for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the former Yugoslavia. In China, he became involved in multiple ventures, most notably VBD Roses, described by 98 Sparks as the leading flower business in China and the foundation for 98 Sparks.

His China operating background is well documented in the horticulture sector. AIPH reported that Pannekeet and Arie van den Berg began Van den Berg Roses’ Kunming, China rose farm in 2007; the venture expanded to 35 hectares and was sold in 2021 to Lynch Group. 98 Sparks says Pannekeet’s operating experience gave him expertise in selling in China and helping Chinese enterprises expand globally, and that he is fluent in Mandarin, Dutch and English.

At PureTerra, Pannekeet is tied directly to portfolio company governance. Membrion announced in January 2023 that PureTerra led its $7 million Series B and that Pannekeet would join Membrion’s board; in March 2023 Membrion separately announced him as a board director, citing his global-market and scaling experience.

• PureTerra’s core thesis is water specialization: the firm calls itself a “specialist VC investing globally in disruptive water companies” and says it backs “early-stage water companies with advanced scientific hardware or AI-driven software solutions ready for commercial scale.”
• The firm targets technologies addressing the water challenge of “too little, too much, too dirty,” with a focus on commercially scaling innovations that can improve water use, treatment, recycling, conservation, quality and circularity.
• PureTerra’s stated investment criteria are: dedicated and experienced management team; positive water impact; disruptive water innovation; strong intellectual property; synergies for active contributions; and readiness for commercialization with high growth potential.
• PureTerra’s public LinkedIn description says it looks for water companies ready to scale commercially and invests €1-5 million as a first ticket.
• The firm is impact-driven but returns-oriented: its SFDR disclosure says it seeks three sustainable investment objectives: conservation of the water supply, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and growth of the water capital market.
• PureTerra looks for active ownership opportunities, not passive exposure: its website emphasizes global water-industry expertise, commercialization experience, and practical advice to help water entrepreneurs scale worldwide.