Philosophy
VNK investment philosophy is based upon the premise of investing in companies that operate in sectors with attractive dynamics, are or have potential to become leaders in their field and have the characteristics of management quality, strong fundamentals and growth potential.
VNK has a hands –on approach for its investments, by taking an active management approach in the companies it has invested in, offering support and specialist advice on various operating issues of each business, taking value adding actions
in order to improve operational efficiency and governance, aiming to create value and generate superior investment returns.
Founders
The company was founded by the family of Vassilis and Nelly Katsou, along with a high quality executive team providing access to decades of experience in finance, asset management, business and operations management at an international level.
Vasilis and Nelly are world famous entrepreneurs and successful business professionals with an immaculate track record history in innovative strategic investments in various sectors of the economy.
VNK follows a thorough investment process that includes sourcing of potential investments, investment analysis and valuation, transaction closing, ongoing portfolio management and operational support of the investments and exit strategy and execution.
Vassilios Katsos was born in Athens in 1973. He graduated from Pierce College and continued his studies at the University of Athens, Faculty of Pharmacy. Since 1993 he became President of the Board of Directors at Pharmathen Pharmaceuticals as one of the major shareholders. Under his leadership, the strategic restructuring of the family company was initiated and executed, placing emphasis first on strengthening the company’s presence and thereafter on the expansion of international activities.
In 2015 one of the major PE firms, BC Partners has acquired significant majority in Pharmathen which today is an international pharmaceutical company headquartered in The Netherlands with operations in more than 85 countries across the world.
Nelly Katsou – Member of the Board of Pharmathen S.A
Nelly Katsou was born in Athens in 1965. In 1989 she graduated from the University of Athens, School of Pharmacy.
She started her career in 1990 by establishing the pharmaceutical company Pharmanel SA, where she was Managing Director until 2003. Concurrently she was also a major shareholder and CEO of Pharmathen S.A. until 2019, a pharmaceutical company that is Greece’s largest private research company and one of the largest R&D companies in Europe.
She was
- Vice President of the Board of Directors of Hellenic Management Association (EEDE)
- Member of the Board of SEV (Hellenic Federation of Enterprises)
- Member of “Supporters Club” of Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE)
- Member of Advisory Board of ESAA
- Member of “Innovation – Education – Entrepreneurship Committee” of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce
- Member of W.I.B. Committee (Women in Business) of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce
- Member of National Council for Research, Technology and Innovation
- Member of ICC Hellas (International Chamber of Commerce)
Today, she is
- Vice President and Co-Founder of VNK CAPITAL
- Member of Advisory Board of EGG (Enter-Grow-Go)
- Member of BAC (Business Advisory Council) of the Athens University of Economics & Business – MBA International
- Member of ELEPAP (Hellenic Society for the Protection & Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons)
- Member of AXION HELLAS
She is married and mother of two children, 32 & 33 years old.