Our Story
Praetorian Capital Partners was founded in 2025 by Arthur Van Der Pluijm and Michael Claessens. United by a belief that long-term conviction and short-term adaptability are both essential in today’s markets. Before launching the fund, this synergy yielded a 285% return (31% CAGR) from 2020 to 2025.
Since launch in March 2025, Praetorian Fund has returned +14%.
With proof of concept in hand and 20+ years of combined trading experience, they launched Praetorian Capital to offer investors institutional-grade performance without traditional barriers to entry.
Why it works
Their combined experience allows them to anticipate market shifts with precision. Michael’s talent for identifying trades with exceptional upside, paired with Arthur’s meticulous risk management and algorithmic precision, creates a strategy where risk and reward are engineered for lasting success.
Praetorian Capital is built on balance – opportunity spotting with downside protection, high conviction with calculated risk, and human intuition with algorithmic discipline. This balance is what defines Praetorian Capital, mastering the delicate interplay between risk and reward.
Arthur van Der Pluijm brings over 12 years of trading experience across multiple asset classes, with a focus on automated, hybrid, and discretionary strategies. Since 2021, his track record has delivered a total return of +202%. Formerly head of quantitative strategy at a trading firm managing over €100 million in assets, Arthur’s expertise in systematic trading and market structure is central to Praetorian Capital’s advanced, data-driven approach.
Michael Claessens is a seasoned private investor with over 8 years of experience in trading equities and derivatives. He specialises in high-conviction value investing and event-driven strategies. Since 2017, his disciplined risk management and market insight have delivered a cumulative return of +379%, consistently outperforming benchmarks. Notably, he achieved a +65% return in 2023 and +145% from January 2024 to February 2025, underscoring his ability to navigate volatile markets with precision and consistency.
Our Trusted Partnerships
We meticulously select our partners to ensure the highest standards of security, compliance, and operational excellence. Each firm we collaborate with plays a crucial role in maintaining a stable, transparent, and well-regulated investment environment, allowing us to focus on delivering strong performance while safeguarding investor capital.
Banking
As one of the Netherlands' most established financial institutions, Rabobank provides the fund with secure banking and custodial services. This ensures smooth capital flow management, investor transactions, and an added layer of financial stability in a regulated environment.
Fund administration & compliance
Our compliance and regulatory partner, ensuring that all fund operations adhere to the strict standards set by the Dutch Financial Authorities (AFM & DNB). AssetCare helps us maintain transparency, investor protection, and alignment with industry best practices.
Trading brokerage
A globally recognised brokerage firm known for its deep liquidity, low-latency execution, and access to a wide range of asset classes. Through Interactive Brokers, we secure institutional-grade execution, direct market access, and advanced risk management tools to enhance our trading strategies.
Notary
A specialised notary firm supporting legal structuring, fund formation, and documentation compliance. Accordo ensures that all legal frameworks are properly established, protecting both the fund and its investors within the applicable regulatory landscape.
