Maarten co-founded Apollo Executive Search, where he works with entrepreneurs and investors on executive search and succession planning. He works particularly closely with private-equity firms on portfolio operations. He has also built recruitment businesses including MatcHR and Legal Top Talent, and began his career as a strategy consultant at Roland Berger.
His founder-facing perspective emphasizes unit economics, clear accountability and using AI to automate business operations. He holds MSc degrees in Law and Economics with distinction from the University of Groningen and an MBA from INSEAD, where he was on the Dean’s list.
He can help founders take a broader view of the business when day-to-day demands crowd out strategic decisions. His experience is relevant to recruitment businesses, operating models, unit economics and automation.
Where Maarten can help
- Recruitment
- Unit economics
- Business operations
- AI automation
- Executive search
Operating and investing experience
A selection of companies and roles connected to Maarten Van der Kwaak.
Ventures
Apollo Executive Search
co-founder
MatcHR
co-founder
Legal Top Talent
founder
Highlights
- Built several recruitment businesses after starting in strategy consulting
Questionsfounders ask aboutMaarten Van der Kwaak
What is Maarten's professional background?
Maarten’s experience spans strategy consulting and building recruitment businesses. He co-founded Apollo Executive Search and MatcHR, founded Legal Top Talent, and now works with entrepreneurs and investors on executive search and succession planning.
Which founder topics connect most directly to Maarten's experience?
His recruitment-company experience makes unit economics, accountability and operating models especially relevant discussion areas. He also emphasizes using AI to automate business operations and helping founders make space for strategic decisions.
What is Maarten working on now?
At Apollo Executive Search, he works with entrepreneurs and investors on executive search and succession planning. His earlier experience co-founding recruitment businesses helps connect hiring decisions with a company’s operating model and leadership needs.
The best mentors spot the best founders early.
Get founder stories and insights in the EWOR Signals newsletter.
Subscribe to EWOR Signals