Bart Huybrechts

entrepreneurship / investments / innovation ecosystems / public-private partnerships / project management / management & growth

real estate & brownfields / maritime & ports / energy transition & decarbonisation / care industry / military & dual use / tech / venture capital & investment solutions
Owner of Priper Mgmt bv

What I
've done
// 'm doing

I hold a Master's degree in Applied Economics from KU Leuven, where my master thesis research on venture capital for start‑ups led to the publication of my book Verdien Venture Capital / Earn Venture Capital. After completing a complementary study in SME Management, I began my career as an Investment Manager at the early-stage venture capital fund of Dexia Bank (now Belfius). I later joined LRM, a government‑owned investment company, to help launch one of Flanders' first early‑stage SME investment programs.

Between 2002 and 2003, I served as Deputy CFO for Vanbreda Insurance and Vanbreda International, two leading insurance brokerages employing over 900 professionals. 

From 2003 to 2009, I led a diverse portfolio of public‑private partnership initiatives at ParticipatieMaatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV), including infrastructure projects, real estate developments exceeding 250,000 m², office portfolio transactions worth over €250 million, and major brownfield redevelopments covering 210 hectares.

From 2009 to 2014, I acted as Deputy Chief of Cabinet to Minister Geert Bourgeois, heading the Flemish Government's back‑office services for real estate, human resources, ICT, and regulation - overseeing the day to day operations and the transformation of six government agencies and 1,300 civil servants.

As founder of Priper Mgmt BV, my independent management and consulting firm, I have advised leading public and private clients on strategic real estate, PPP, and renewable energy projects. I worked with RebelGroup Belgium and freelance. Highlights include my role as strategic lead for ZIN IN NOORD (now the Marie-Elisabeth Belpaire building) - recently named Best Tall Building in the World 2025 -, the strategic advisory of Belgian Defence for the redevelopment of the former NATO site and Defence HQ in Brussels, and the ZorgBedrijf Antwerpen 2.0 transformation program (healthcare company with +10k clients). 

As Chair of the Board of the Vlaams EnergieBedrijf (VEB), a shared services company on energy solutions for governments, I supported the company's growth from €50 million to over €950 million in revenue, steering it toward sustainable profitability.

At CMB.TECH, I joined the Executive Committee as project lead for Maritime Campus Antwerp (MCA) - an ambitious innovation initiative designed to accelerate the digital and energy transition of the maritime industry through collaboration, community, and capital. This vision led to the creation of MCA LABS (a 2,500 m² co‑working and innovation hub), A La Marine restaurant, MCA Community, and partnerships with international platforms such as Plug and Play Maritime and the organisation of Antwerp Maritime Week.

Between April 2024 and September 2025, I focused on raising a new corporate‑backed venture capital fund, Tidal Fund, under the Ninepointfive venture platform, aimed at scaling innovation in maritime and sustainability technologies. Because of challenging geopolitical conditions, the initiative was terminated.

Today, I work as an independent strategic advisor and project manager supporting and leading start‑ups, PPPs, and real estate projects in my different domains of expertise. Additionally, I contribute to a European venture capital platform and an international decarbonization community, helping design next‑generation investment solutions that drive transitions and decarbonisation.​

Learn more on my LinkedIn page

Quotes I 
live by

Movie "The Beach"
"And me, I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it's not some place you can look for, 'cause it's not where you go. It's how you feel for a moment in your life when you're a part of something, and if you find that moment... it lasts forever."

dEUS - The Architect
"I won't throw myself from the pier
I'm gonna go home and shut up for a year
And when the year is over I'll reappear
And have a solution

Now, if these aspirations bother you
Well you are just you, you don't have a clue
I'm sticking to the plan; I will see it through
Let there be no confusion"

Faith No More - We Care A Lot
"Well its a dirty job but someones gotta do it."

Admiral Freebee - einstein brain
"But you can't milk a cow with your hands in your pants."