Wikipedia:Jordy Kool (Entrepreneur)
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Jordy Kool (Entrepreneur)
editJordy Kool[1] was born and raised in the Netherlands, the son of a house painter and a train conductor who took on extra evening jobs to get their kids into college. His early education took place at Oosterlicht College, where he studied Economics, Mathematics, Physics, and several languages. Kool then pursued military training at the Royal Military Academy, specializing in Organization and Management while training with the Marine Corps. This experience instilled discipline and leadership qualities, which would later shape his corporate and entrepreneurial career.[2]
Kool furthered his education through various executive programs, earning degrees from prestigious institutions. He attended Rotterdam School of Management, where he completed an MBA program, and later studied at Harvard Business School, where he focused on corporate restructuring, mergers, and acquisitions and corporate boards. He also completed programs at IMD on high-performance leadership, managing family offices and high performance boards.
Corporate Career
editKool's corporate career began in the telecom and IT sectors. He held sales and management roles at companies such as KPN, Hewlett-Packard, and Liberty Global and RELX Group where he gained extensive experience in turn arounds, scaling businesses and managing teams.[3]
In 2009, Kool became a shareholder and board member of Infotheek Group, an IT reseller based in the Netherlands. Over the next decade, he transformed Infotheek into one of Europe’s leading circular IT companies. As CEO, he led the company through an exceptional growth period, expanding its revenue from €55 million to €1 billion. Under his leadership, Infotheek received multiple awards, including the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2015 and the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Award three times. Kool sold his stake in the company through a series of transactions between 2014 and 2021, eventually stepping down as CEO but continuing as a shareholder.[4]
Investment and Advisory Career
editSince 2014, Jordy Kool has been active as an investor and advisor. He founded Iron Asset Management, his family office, where he manages investments across various sectors. Kool focuses on three primary areas: IT and telecom, sports and fitness, and human capital. His investment portfolio includes amongst others over 31 direct investments in companies, a public equity and real estate portfolio and partnerships with 20 international venture capital and private equity firms.[5]
Kool prefers to invest in medium-sized companies with established management teams and scalable business models. He is particularly selective about his investments, ensuring that he can provide value beyond just financial backing. His involvement often includes advising on mergers and acquisitions, scaling operations, and improving corporate governance and preparing your company for an exit. All is based on sharing his personal experiences while scaling various companies..[6]
Urban Gym Group and Other Ventures
editKool is also a prominent figure in the fitness industry. In 2016, he became a shareholder in the Urban Gym Group, which operates fitness brands like TrainMore, ClubSportive, and Renessence World, BTY CLB, and TRIB3 International. Under his leadership as co-CEO, the group expanded to multiple locations across Europe, combining high-end fitness services with innovative business models. Kool has been instrumental in securing funding for the group’s rapid growth and expanding its operations internationally.[7]
Additionally, Kool has invested in various companies within the fitness and wellness space, including Renessence World, BTY CLB, and TRIB3 International. His passion for health and fitness, rooted in his own athletic background, continues to guide his investment strategy. He competed in jiu-jitsu and judo at a national level and later worked as a fitness instructor, experiences that influence his current business ventures.[8]
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility
editIn addition to his business interests, Kool is dedicated to philanthropy. In 2013, he founded Stichting IT4Kids, a nonprofit organization that collects and refurbishes used IT hardware, with the proceeds going toward children’s sports programs. This initiative aims to provide underprivileged children with opportunities to participate in sports, an area Kool is passionate about due to his own experiences growing up.[9]
Kool’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is also reflected in his business practices. He is a strong advocate for sustainable and circular business models, especially within the IT sector, where he emphasizes the importance of recycling and reusing technology.[10]
Personal Life
editKool is known for his disciplined approach to work and life, shaped by both his military background and his passion for fitness. Despite a demanding career, he makes time for regular physical activity and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Kool has openly discussed his battle with Crohn’s disease, which has influenced his approach to managing stress and maintaining a work-life balance. He now advocates for healthier corporate practices, emphasizing the importance of rest, recovery, and self-care for business leaders.[11]
Awards and Recognition
editThroughout his career, Kool has received several prestigious awards. In 2015, he was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year, and under his leadership, Infotheek won the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Award multiple times. His leadership and business acumen have earned him recognition as a top executive and entrepreneur, particularly for his contributions to the IT and fitness sectors.[12]
Legacy and Philosophy
editJordy Kool’s legacy is marked by his transformative leadership, investment expertise, and commitment to helping others succeed. He is a strong advocate for lifelong learning, believing that personal and professional growth are essential to long-term success. His leadership philosophy emphasizes vulnerability, resilience, and the importance of learning from mistakes.[13]
As a mentor, Kool continues to influence the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders, sharing his knowledge and experience to help them navigate the complexities of growing a business. He is also a sought-after speaker, frequently discussing topics such as sustainable business practices, the intersection of health and fitness, and the role of corporate social responsibility in modern enterprises.[14]
References
edit- ^ "Alumni Story Jordy Kool". www.rsm.nl. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Urban Gym Group's Jordy Kool and Marjolijn Meijer | HCM interview". www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk. 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Lopez, Alba (2022-04-09). "The 'Kool Factor' - Jordy Kool joins our board as non-executive director". TRIB3. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Jordy Kool". www.slideshare.net. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Marlissa (2023-04-04). "10 trotse punten van Jordy Kool trots over IT4Kids". IT4KIDS. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Jordy Kool Portfolio Investments, Jordy Kool Funds, Jordy Kool Exits". www.cbinsights.com. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "19: #019 - Jordy Kool: Chairman of Iron Asset Management". Talivity. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ OfficerBrig, Jordy KoolInfotheek Groep NVChief Executive. "Jordy Kool - Chief Executive Officer - Infotheek Groep NV". XING. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Keswiel, Maarten (2021-08-30). "Hoe Jordy Kool dankzij ijzeren discipline de top behaalde (maar slecht kan stoppen)". MT/Sprout (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Jordy Kool: 'Ik dacht nog: dat kan nooit op. Maar 't ging gewoon op aan investeringen'". Quote Net (in Dutch). 2021-06-26. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Jordy Kool - Board Advisor / Shareholder at TRIB3". THE ORG. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Goede nacht | Boek | Interview Jordy Kool". LIJV (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Urban Gym Group | About Us". Careers at Urban Gym Group. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Trib3 abre su capital y ficha a Jordy Kool como director no ejecutivo". www.palco23.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-10-21.