From LegalTech to Fries: Gilles Mattelin's VC Playbook

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-06-03

Gilles Mattelin isn't your typical entrepreneur. He sold Intuo to Unit4 and Henchman to LexisNexis—two exits that would make most people retire. But instead of kicking back, he did something bolder. He launched 100IN, an AI-first venture capital fund focused on 100 pre-seed tech startups. His goal? Invest fast, support founders hard, and avoid the slow, traditional VC model that often kills momentum. ### The 100IN Approach: Speed Over Perfection Mattelin believes most venture capital moves too slowly. By the time a fund decides, the best deals are gone. 100IN flips that script. They use AI to source and screen startups, cutting decision time from months to weeks. - AI-powered deal sourcing - Rapid screening (days, not months) - Real founder support without red tape For him, speed isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a competitive edge. "Entrepreneurship has to stay fun," he says. And fun means moving fast, not getting stuck in endless meetings.  ### Beyond VC: Consumer Brands with Average Rob Mattelin doesn't just back startups. He also builds consumer brands alongside Average Rob. Think Tout Bien Pils and La Patate—a beer and a fry brand. Yes, he jumps from legaltech to fries, from SaaS to beer. But there's a clear thread: strong branding, community building, and fast execution. This isn't random. It's a mindset. He's not afraid to pivot industries because the principles stay the same. Know your audience, build a tribe, and move quicker than anyone else. ### The Real Story Behind an Exit In this episode, we dig into what really happens after you sell your company. When should you sell? When should you hold? How does it feel to let go of something you built from scratch? Mattelin shares raw insights on negotiating with heavyweights like Marc Coucke, navigating the Ghent tech ecosystem, and recycling exit capital into new founders. It's a masterclass in serial entrepreneurship. ### AI in Venture Capital: How Far Can You Automate? We also explore AI's role in VC. How much of sourcing and screening can you automate? Mattelin's answer: more than you think. But the human touch still matters for the final decision. It's a balance—use AI to filter, but trust your gut to choose. ### Why Fun Matters One belief runs through everything Mattelin does: business should be fun. If it stops being fun, you're doing it wrong. That doesn't mean it's easy. It means you should enjoy the process, even when it's hard. This isn't a typical success story. It's about building, selling, and starting over. Thinking bigger. Moving faster. And staying brave enough to try again. ### Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs - Speed beats perfection in early-stage investing - Strong branding and community are universal—across industries - Exits aren't endings; they're fuel for the next move - AI can streamline VC, but human judgment still wins - Keep it fun, or you'll burn out Mattelin's journey proves you don't have to pick one lane. You can build, sell, and build again—if you stay curious and move fast.