Team – Set Ventures

ANTON ARTS - Managing Partner

Anton Arts is a Managing Partner at SET Ventures since 2018. Anton is familiar with all aspects of venture capital, with a track record that includes 20+ investments and exit transactions valued at over €1B. Previously, he was an independent advisor providing strategic advisory and corporate finance services to deeptech companies. Until 2010, Anton was a Partner at US firm New Venture Partners where he teamed up with the R&D organisations of major European technology companies to incubate and invest in spin-out transactions. Prior to that, Anton was a Partner at Gilde IT Fund, a pioneering venture capital fund based in the Netherlands that he joined in 1997. He started his career at Uniface, a successful Dutch software company acquired by Compuware in 1994. Anton holds a degree in Business Administration from Nyenrode University. He serves as a board member at Easelink, Green Eagle Solutions, ESFORIN, instagrid, Minibems, and previously at GreenFlux (acquired).

ARMIN GREINöCKER - Investment Analyst

Armin is an Investment Analyst at SET Ventures. Since 2012, he has contributed to the acceleration of the global energy transition at start-ups, venture builders, research institutes, intergovernmental organisations, and NGOs. At SET, he is responsible for sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, conducting commercial research and deep dives, providing transaction support, and managing our impact reporting. He holds an MSc in Energy Systems from the University of Applied Sciences in Aachen. As a member of the World Energy Council’s Young Energy Professional Program Austria, he is leading the working group on new business models beyond energy supply.

ELLEN SMEELE - Associate

Ellen is an Associate and involved in evaluating investment opportunities, due diligience, sector research and portfolio support and ensuring that our ESG practices remain best-in-class.

Working at Green Giraffe before, she has experience with solar PV, off-shore wind and mini-grid transactions across Europe and Africa. She also worked at multiple software, fintech and agriculture start-ups across the globe in finance, strategy and operations roles. Being Dutch but having lived in Oman, Hong Kong, Rwanda and the UK she experienced great joy meeting people from various cultural and professional backgrounds. She puts her enthusiam for connecting with people and promoting diversity into practice as ambassador for Climate Mosaic, a pan-european network with climate investors and founders.

Ellen has an MSc in Political Economy from the London School of Economics and an MSc in Sustainable Business from the Rotterdam School of Management.

EMILY MELLOR - Investment Analyst

Emily Mellor is joining us as an Investment Analyst at SET Ventures. Prior to SET, Emily led the Oxford Seed Fund as Managing Director, a student-led pre-seed and seed stage investor at the University of Oxford. Emily brings experience from Australian impact investor Tripple, an impact-led family office. She has four years of consulting experience at Accenture which ranged from emerging tech trend research to large-scale system implementation projects. Emily has an MBA from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University, Australia. As an Aussie, outside of work Emily loves the ocean, being active in nature and scouting out the best coffee and food.

HAYDEN YOUNG - Head of Marketing

Hayden Young is the Head of Marketing at SET Ventures, responsible for building on SET’s established reputation by helping it reach new audiences. After working in industries like Aviation, Music and Electric Vehicles he has returned to Venture Capital, due to the belief that the climate crisis can only be solved through new innovative companies. At global VC firm Antler, he coached startups in marketing strategy, product messaging and branding. Hayden continues to grow his place in the Dutch tech ecosystem by operating as a continued advisor at Antler and a recurring mentor for Startupbootcamp. Hayden holds a Bachelor's degree in 3D Design & Animation from Leeds Beckett University.

JULIA PADBERG - Partner

Julia is a Partner at SET Ventures. Her mission is to reduce the climate impact of the energy sector through digital innovation, together with industry-leading entrepreneurs. She is deeply experienced in finance, energy, and cleantech. Since 2016, Julia has been instrumental in strengthening SET’s European network and visibility, as well as spearheading new investments.

Previously, Julia was active in corporate finance and investment advisory in cleantech and energy, amongst others at merchant bank Kempen & Co. She advised on M&A transactions, IPOs, investments, and fundraising processes at European energy companies. She was also involved in establishing new energy projects, business cases, structured financing, and advising on growth strategies. Julia holds a Master’s degree in Environmental & Resource Economics from University College London. She is a board member and trusted advisor at Flexidao, Trunkrs and Sensorfact, and formerly at Depsys (acquired). She was also a board observer at Energyworx, GreenCom Networks (acquired) and Greenflux (acquired).

LEONIE MEKEL - Director Finance and Operations

Leonie Mekel is Director of Finance and Operations at SET Ventures. She has 10 years of experience in the financial sector combined with a strong operational background. Leonie is responsible for all financial and operational processes at SET and is involved in fundraising and deal negotiations. Part of her responsibilities is making sure SET complies with all relevant regulatory, tax, and legal obligations and reporting requirements. She is dedicated to contributing to SET’s ambition to create a sustainable and carbon-free energy system. Previously, Leonie worked at PwC as a tax advisor, with a specialisation in financial markets. Leonie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dutch Law and a Master’s degree in Dutch Tax Law from Leiden University.

LINDA VAN VEEN - Office Manager

Linda is Office Manager at SET Ventures. Since 2020, she runs the daily operations at the SET office, responsible for administrative matters and office management. She enjoys variety in her work and dealing with ad-hoc matters, as a real multi-tasker. At SET she makes a positive contribution by making all operational processes run smoothly and by creating a clear structure with a positive mindset. Previously she worked in different project management roles for governmental and non-profit organisations. Linda holds a Master’s degree in International Business.

RENÉ SAVELSBERG - Managing Partner

René Savelsberg is a Managing Partner and co-founded SET Ventures in 2007. He has 25+ years of experience in technology investing in both deeptech and in energy transition with a background in corporate venturing and venture capital. He is an open and honest leader within the SET Ventures team and on portfolio company boards focusing on strategic issues and leveraging a deep expert network. He represents the venture capital sector in the board of the Nederlandse Vereniging van Participatiemaatschappijen (NVP).

René started his career in sales and marketing in multiple smaller and larger companies. After moving to California in 1990 he got immersed in the start-up and venture capital community as head of Philip Electronics' external innovation activities in Silicon Valley and beyond. He holds an MSc degree in Industrial Engineering & Management from the Technical University Eindhoven. René has successfully led exits of multiple companies and served on the board of sonnen (acquired), General Fusion, Epyon (acquired), ETPA and several other portfolio companies.

DR. TILL STENZEL - Venture Partner

Till joined SET Ventures as a Venture Partner in 2021. Focusing especially on the German-language (DACH) region, Till leverages almost 20 years of experience as an investor, entrepreneur, consultant, and executive and has developed a deep understanding of the levers for change in the energy sector. Till sits as a board member for SET portfolio company, Frequenz Prior to SET Ventures, Till was a Managing Director at DTCP focusing on investments in the digital economy. Other previous engagements include corporate strategy work at E.ON, cleantech investments with Hazel Capital (now Gresham House New Energy), co-founding the first large-scale solar projects developer in Tunisia, and policy advisory work for the UK Government and Parliament, as well as with the International Energy Agency (IEA). Till holds an MSc and PhD from Imperial College, London, as well as a BSc from the London School of Economics. Till is a CFA Charterholder.

WOUTER JONK - Managing Partner

Wouter Jonk is a Managing Partner and co-founded SET Ventures in 2007. He has 25 years of experience in energy and cleantech venture capital combined with experience in business creation, innovation, and M&A. He is convinced that investing for environmental impact and financial return is a perfect combination. Previously, Wouter spent 10 years at Philips, at the M&A group, as CFO of an incubator, but predominantly at the corporate venturing team in Silicon Valley and Europe. Before that, he worked at PwC Corporate Finance and at two technology venture capital firms. Besides his investment responsibilities, he oversees the financial and legal affairs of SET Ventures. Wouter holds an MSc Degree in Industrial Engineering & Management from the Technical University Twente. He serves as a board member at Energyworx, EnOcean and Hydrogrid and formerly on the board of GreenCom Networks (acquired) and Luxexcel (acquired).