Dirk Holzapfel

Founder/CEO, Plantitude

Dirk is CEO and co-owner of Plantitude B.V., a Benelux-based distributor and market-builder for leading independent companies driving the protein transition.

Dirk’s entrepreneurial drive is fueled by his believe that the current global food-system is incapable of meeting future food needs. With 21 years at Group Danone, Dirk builds on his expertise as Strategic Growth Director and M&A Business Director EMEA, to support innovative food companies in bringing their game-changing products to market. Under Dirk’s leadership, Plantitude has transformed the traditional distributor model by operating through a fully transparent, collaborative, and value-driven business approach, allowing their suppliers to focus their efforts innovation.

Before leaving Danone, Dirk held various leadership roles including Managing Director in the Netherlands and in Iran. His first venture into investment and entrepreneurship was when he co-founded Sycamore-Fig Capital Partners, a East Africa focussed beverage-fund.

Dirk holds an MBA from Rotterdam School of Management and completed the General Management Program at INSEAD. He is a guest lecturer at HAN University of Applied Sciences and advises startups in the Dutch food and plant-based sector.