Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Mauna works where the stakes are existential. Scaling under pressure. Capital restructuring. Ownership shifts. Exit decisions. When governance and direction fragment, Mauna restores coherence at the point of decision. Mandate only.
Mauna is a boutique strategic office at board level. Founded by Maarten van Neerven, Mauna works with founders, boards and investors when ownership, capital and long-term direction are at stake. Scaling under pressure. Capital restructuring. Carve-outs. Exit scenarios. Governance realignment. Growth creates structural tension. Mauna brings strategic clarity and disciplined presence at the point where irreversible decisions determine valuation, ownership and future direction. This work integrates capital strategy, governance alignment and structural coherence to protect and accelerate long-term value. No interim roles. Mandate basis only. Limited engagements https://www.mauna.one/
Engaged as strategic board advisor to a highly innovative startup
Managing Director & CFO – CarNext.com Industry: Digital Automotive / PE-backed Scale-up / Private Equity Exit Carve-out from LeasePlan and built into standalone pan-European platform operating in 23 countries with €2.5bn GMV. Key structural impact: • Led full carve-out into independent entity • Built complete finance, data and governance infrastructure from greenfield • Structured and raised €250–500m equity and €150–250m asset-backed financing • Led capital strategy and investor alignment with PE owner and supervisory board • Improved cash performance significantly • Company successfully acquired by Constellation Automotive This was structural transformation at scale, not operational finance.
Industry: Consumer Products / Founder-Led / Private Equity Exit Led the full strategic exit to Bain Capital within a complex founder, board and shareholder dynamic. Operated at the intersection of ownership transition, governance realignment and performance acceleration. Key structural impact: • Led the end-to-end exit process toward Bain Capital, navigating intricate board and shareholder dynamics • Restructured capital base and strengthened governance alignment during ownership transition • Built the previously missing data & analytics capability, establishing a high-performing Finance & Data team • Created insight-driven performance management, enabling sharper strategic and capital allocation decisions • Significantly improved cash flow, EBITDA and cost structure • Strengthened executive leadership cohesion during high-pressure transformation This was not a CFO-CEO role in isolation. It was structural leadership through ownership change, capital redesign and strategic repositioning.