Jenthe Braspenning

Company: Mentha Capital
Job Description: (Senior) Associate
Age: 27
Years of working experience: 4 years

Bio
Jenthe earned a Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration and a Bachelor of Laws in Tax Law, along with a Master’s in Corporate and Tax Law and a Master’s in Finance & Investments, all from Erasmus University. While studying, Jenthe worked as a consultant for ‘De Kleine Consultant’, served as a board member of the Philips Innovation Award, and participated in the Dutchess Capital program. Currently, Jenthe has been with Mentha Capital for over four years, starting as an intern and now working as an Associate.

What are the specialties of this talent?
Jenthe posesses the necessary characteristics that are fundamental for success in PE through a comprehensive skillset:

• Analytical capability: Jenthe possesses strong analytical skills, enabling her to dissect financial statements, market trends, economic indicators or business model specific complexities with precision. Her ability to derive meaningful insights from complex data sets has been important in making sound investment decisions.
• Strategic vision: already early in her career, Jenthe’s input at developing and executing long-term strategies that drive value creation for portfolio companies is highly appreciated. Her strategic foresight allows her to identify growth opportunities and implement initiatives that align with the overall objectives of the firm.
• Operational understanding: Jenthe brings a deep understanding of operational improvements to the table, helping portfolio companies optimize their processes and achieve greater efficiency. Her hands-on approach in working with management teams has resulted in significant value enhancement.
• Relationship building: Jenthe has a natural way for building and nurturing relationships with investors, management teams, advisors and peers
• Team collaboration: Jenthe’s collaborative approach to cooperation, driving the progress of the workstreams she is involved in in deal processes or value creation projects at the portfolio companies she oversees.

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers?
Jenthe’s commitment to self-development has driven her to take on new challenges and learn quickly, leading to a steep learning curve early in her career, exceeding what is expected from her in her role als (senior) associate. Her dedication has not gone unnoticed, and as a result, she’s been trusted with increasingly high levels of responsibility on deals and portfolio companies, but also as a showcase for Mentha for recruitment purposes. This growth reflects both her ability to adapt and her readiness to step up when needed. I would also like to refer to my answer on question 4 and 9.

What impact does the talent have within the organization?
Jenthe combines sound analytical expertise with a keen understanding of market dynamics, allowing her to anticipate challenges and come up with strategic solutions that drive value. Her business sense, attention to detail, work ethic and quality of deliverables have earned her a reputation for reliability, consistency and outperformance. Just as important is the enthusiasm she brings to the workfloor, portfolio teams and other external collaborations, making it a pleasure to work with her. The aforementioned is also reflected in her guidance of internal peers and interns in their development on certain topics.

What impact does the talent have outside the organization?
Jenthe’s impact outside the organization:

• Value input from a shareholder role to management teams and other organizational layers
• Reliable principal to external advisors (e.g. M&A advisors, experts, DD and legal teams)
• Community engagement through events (especially directed towards students and female communities)

To what extent does the talent makes the difference to clients?
Jenthe is able to deliver:

• Clear communication
• Expectation management
• Tailored advise
• Flexibility
• Efficient (and accelerated) execution
• Consistency and reliability
• Down-to-earth mentality

Why does the talent deserves this nomination?
2024 marked an impressive year for Jenthe, showcasing her multifaceted contributions across deal execution, sourcing, team development, and industry advocacy:

• Deal execution: Jenthe demonstrated exceptional deal execution skills through her close involvement in the platform acquisition of SPC Group from ex-Waterland founders, the exit of ParaDIGMA Group to Castik Capital and multiple add-on acquisitions in 2024. Her structured approach and execution ensured these deals were closed efficiently, strengthening Mentha’s portfolio, fund performance and market position.
• Deal sourcing: execution of proactive sourcing approach within key focus verticals identifying and engaging promising targets for H2-2024 and 2025 as a result.
• Team development: Jenthe is automating the review cycle and 360 degrees feedback via a digital platform. This initiative has professionalized team development within Mentha, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and transparency.
• Inspiring future professionals: Jenthe has actively inspired and motivated students to explore careers in the PE sector. Her involvement in the Private Equity Conference, in-house day within the FSA’s Private Equity Cycle, and collaborations with Level 20 & Female x Finance Community have effectively bridged the gap between academic learning and industry practice, cultivating a pool of future talent.