Marnix Pool

Friday, February 23, 2024. Our former director Marnix Pool passed away. Marnix led the RUG Holding Company (RHM), now known as RUG Ventures, from 1998 to 2018 after years of working at the University of Groningen.

During these 20 years, he provided advice, support, and funding to numerous startups. Marnix excelled in this role due to his understanding of people and his financial background. He was practical and decisive. Leveraging his extensive network, he helped many individuals and startups by establishing connections and arranging meetings.

Investing in a startup sometimes required a lot of patience, time, and money, as not all startups are successful. The sense of pride was even greater when a startup flourished.

One of the most notable examples of a successful startup is the company that developed a device to maintain the condition of livers and kidneys for transplantation. In the past, these transplants had to be performed immediately after organ availability, but this device completely changed that. In 2005, Marnix believed in the idea, the professor, and the doctoral candidate, giving them the initial support when no one else believed it was possible. Now, in 2024, lives are being saved with this device.

Marnix was exceptionally creative and retired in 2018 to dedicate more time to his painting. The self-portrait displayed on this site has been hanging in the office on the Kadijk for several years and will remain there as a tribute to him. Thank you Marnix.