An Hour with Our Founder: Marinka de Groot
On Transformation Today, Marinka de Groot is usually the one in the interviewer’s seat, picking the brains of industry leaders about business transformation. But this time, the tables turned. Our Marketing Manager, Megan, sat down with Marinka to dive into her story, how she got into recruitment, the vision behind Olivi Growth, and what businesses need to know about scaling in a private equity-driven world.
From her 21-year career in recruitment to her thoughts on AI’s role in hiring and what companies should prioritize when seeking investment, Marinka shared her expertise in a candid and insightful chat.
The Vision Behind Olivi Growth
With over 21 years in recruitment, starting her career in 2004, Marinka founded Olivi Growth to bring a more tailored, hands-on approach to recruitment. Having worked for one of the largest recruitment firms in the world, she saw a gap in the market: businesses working with large recruitment agencies often lacked a single point of contact who truly understood their needs and culture. Olivi Growth was built to change that.
“Recruitment companies should work with businesses they admire,” says Marinka. “This could be because of their culture, their products, or their mission. We wanted to build a business that focused on these values.”
Olivi Growth started organically, working with venture capital-backed scale-ups in the Netherlands, helping them grow by securing top talent in technology, leadership, and commercial roles. As companies scale, maintaining company culture becomes crucial, and Marinka and her team ensure that cultural fit is a priority in every hire.
The Shift to Private Equity-Backed Companies
As Olivi Growth expanded, the investment climate changed. While venture capital-funded scale-ups were once the primary clients, private equity-backed businesses became a larger part of the portfolio. Today, 75% of Olivi Growth’s clients are private equity-backed companies looking for expert support to scale rapidly.
“We specialize in helping organizations through transformation and growth. Private equity firms want to ensure companies scale not just quickly but effectively,” Marinka explains.
AI in Recruitment: A Tool, Not a Replacement
Recruitment is no longer just about filling roles; it’s about being a strategic growth partner. While AI is playing a growing role in recruitment, Marinka believes its impact is best used for administrative tasks rather than replacing human interaction.
“AI is fantastic for administrative tasks, like making meeting notes, but it cannot replace the understanding of company culture and the human connection needed to find the right fit,” she explains.
Olivi Growth acts as more than just recruiters—they are brand ambassadors for their clients. Particularly in private equity, where companies may not be well-known, recruitment agencies play a crucial role in promoting their employer brand to prospective candidates.
The Hiring Needs of Scale-Ups vs. Private Equity-Backed Companies
Scale-ups and private equity-backed businesses have distinct hiring needs. For early-stage companies, hiring is fast-paced and focused on growth, requiring people who can thrive in high-energy environments. In contrast, private equity-backed companies are often in transformation phases, requiring leadership that can drive operational efficiency and integrate acquisitions.
“The hiring needs of scale-ups versus private equity-backed companies are different, but both require leaders who understand the challenges of rapid growth and change,” Marinka says.
With a strong focus on private equity-backed businesses, Olivi Growth continues to evolve, ensuring they not only help companies scale but do so with the right people in place. By combining deep industry expertise with a personal, hands-on approach, Marinka and her team are redefining what it means to be a recruitment partner in today’s market.
Get in touch to see how Marinka can grow your team.
