# Pieterjan 'PJ' Bouten

> Pieterjan “PJ” Bouten is a Belgian entrepreneur and investor based in Ghent. He co-founded In The Pocket in 2010 and Showpad in 2011, led Showpad as CEO for more than a decade, and launched Entourage in 2024 to build and back European software companies. He is a General Partner at Entourage and Entrepreneur in Residence at the Vlerick Entrepreneurship Academy.

- **Role:** Founder and General Partner at Entourage
- **Organizations:** Entourage, Showpad (co-founder and former CEO), In The Pocket, Vlerick Entrepreneurship Academy, Wintercircus Ghent, Netlog (former employer), Accenture (former employer)
- **Nationality:** Belgian
- **Education:** Master in Communication Sciences, KU Leuven, Master in International Business, HUB-EHSAL / EHSAL Management School, Erasmus programme in Communication Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
- **Known for:** Co-founded Showpad and led it as CEO for over ten years, building a company with more than 500 employees and customers in over 50 countries., Co-founded digital product studio In The Pocket in 2010., Launched Entourage with $30 million announced at its 2024 launch.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2010** — Worked at Accenture and Netlog; roles included consulting and EMEA business development.
- **2010** — Co-founded In The Pocket.
- **2011** — Co-founded Showpad with Louis Jonckheere and Peter Minne.
- **2017** — Showpad reached $30 million ARR, as reported in his February 2018 interview.
- **2022-03** — Transitioned from Showpad CEO to executive chairman.
- **2024** — Launched Entourage with Maarten Mortier and Evert Beeckman, combining a venture studio and early-stage investment fund.
- **2025-10** — Vector completed its acquisition of Showpad and combined it with Bigtincan; the combined business appointed Apratim Purakayastha CEO and Jim Hopkins chairman.
- **2026-05** — Discussed Entourage, Showpad, Vlerick and Wintercircus on the EU-Startups Podcast.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Showpad and led it as CEO for over ten years, building a company with more than 500 employees and customers in over 50 countries.
- Co-founded digital product studio In The Pocket in 2010.
- Launched Entourage with $30 million announced at its 2024 launch.
- Entourage Studio’s first company was Tekst; Entourage participated again in its $13.5 million Series A in May 2026.
- Completed the Cape Epic mountain bike race in South Africa in 2019.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Appeared on the EU-Startups Podcast on May 14 to discuss company building, Entourage, Vlerick and Wintercircus.
- **2026-05** — Tekst announced a $13.5 million Series A led by Elephant, with Entourage participating again.
- **2025-10** — Showpad’s acquisition by Vector and combination with Bigtincan closed on October 30.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pieterjanbouten/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/pieterjan

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/pieterjan-bouten
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21