We’re proud to share that our Managing Partner Arjan ten Buuren has been named Global Connector of the Year by VNTR Capital for his work as Chapter Director, VNTR Capital NL. It is well deserved.
For us, this is more than an award. It is public recognition of something we have seen up close all year: Arjan’s rare ability to turn introductions into real collaborations.
A connector at the heart of our venture studio
At Xablu Venture Studio, we build ventures by bringing the right people, ideas and resources together. Arjan sits right in the middle of that. Day to day, we see him:
He doesn’t treat a warm introduction as a box to tick. For Arjan, an introduction is the start of a journey: what could these people build together, and how can we remove friction so they can move faster? That mindset is exactly what this recognition captures.
Arjan ten Buuren with the Global Connector of the Year award at the VNTR Summit in Lisbon.
Why Lisbon is a milestone
Arjan received the title at the VNTR Summit in Lisbon, a curated gathering by VNTR Capital, a global community of active investors, family offices and venture studios. VNTR is built on quality introductions that lead to real co-investments and new ventures, so the recognition fits the way he works.
For the rest of the week, at Web Summit 2025, he represented Xablu Venture Studio in meetings with:
For us, Lisbon marked a clear milestone in his journey as a connector, and in how Xablu Venture Studio shows up in the global venture ecosystem.
Arjan, thank you for the energy you put into the venture ecosystem. You make the pie bigger for everyone. Onward.
Are you a founder, investor or corporate innovator who wants to explore how we build ventures together? Let’s see what the next introduction can turn into.
Reach out to Arjan on LinkedIn →