When ordering takeout proved strangely difficult on a family birthday in rural North Holland, the idea that would eventually shape Jitse Groen’s financial life was born. That was a persistent inconvenience. It served as the foundation for a platform that would eventually transport markets, food, and cash throughout Europe.
While still a student, Groen registered Thuisbezorgd.nl in 2000 despite sluggish connections and a lack of confidence in online ordering. Slow, sometimes discouraging, but remarkably persistent, progress was made through repetition rather than spectacle, like a swarm of bees gradually creating something useful.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jitse Groen |
| Born | June 2, 1978, Delft, Netherlands |
| Education | Studied Business Information Technology, University of Twente (did not complete degree) |
| Known For | Founder and former CEO of Just Eat Takeaway.com |
| Peak Net Worth | Approx. $1.2–1.4 billion (2021) |
| Lowest Estimate | Approx. $350 million (mid‑2022) |
| Key Asset | Around 11.3% stake at time of Prosus acquisition |
| Residence | Netherlands |
| Reference | https://www.forbes.com/profile/jitse-groen |
The risk was unavoidable by the time he dropped out of college to devote all of his attention to the business. There was no backup plan, just the belief that local eateries and hungry patrons would eventually find common ground, especially as internet access improved.
Takeaway.com gradually grew over the ensuing ten years, entering nearby nations, streamlining its logistics, and streamlining its menus and payment processes. The business became very dependable for eateries that desired volume without giving up control by carefully utilizing scale.
A significantly better stage was marked by the 2016 IPO in Amsterdam. Groen transitioned from founder-operator to long-term strategist, guiding expansion into Germany, Israel, and beyond at a pace that was remarkably effective but rarely flamboyant as capital poured in and expectations increased.
The years of consolidation followed. Through the acquisition of rival companies and, most significantly, the 2020 merger with Just Eat, Groen created one of the biggest food delivery services in Europe. Usage increased much more quickly during the pandemic than analysts had anticipated, which caused valuations and Groen’s personal net worth to reach unprecedented heights.
His estimated net worth by the end of 2021 was $1.2 billion. Although the amount was remarkably comparable to that of other delivery founders who had capitalized on lockdown demand, the sustainability of that wealth was subtly questionable and depended almost entirely on public market confidence.
The correction came quickly after dining rooms reopened and household budgets became tighter due to inflation. According to reports, Groen’s net worth had fallen to about $350 million by the middle of 2022. This decline appeared harsh on paper, but it was structurally familiar to anyone who has seen tech cycles repeat.
When I read those numbers, I recall thinking about how composedly they depicted a collapse that must have felt anything but calm from within the organization.
Groen made public statements during that time that cast doubt on his reputation as a growth executive. He advocated for delivery riders’ employee protections, claiming that minimum wage and benefits were not only morally right but also wise from a business standpoint. This was a particularly novel approach in the industry.
Later on, that dedication waned. By 2023, Just Eat had switched back to gig-based contracts in the UK, which alarmed many observers and demonstrated how, even for founders with strong beliefs, market pressure can subtly override principle.
The downturn was not the end of the financial story. Prosus paid approximately €4.1 billion in cash to acquire Just Eat Takeaway in 2025. Groen’s remaining stake, which was approximately 11.3 percent, resulted in a sizable payout, notably making up a significant amount of his paper losses.
It wasn’t presented as a victory lap. Soon after, Groen made his exit known, ending a 25-year journey that started in a student dorm room and ended inside a multinational balance sheet.
His wealth seems purposefully modest outside of business life. He is a licensed pilot who flies for focus rather than show and owns a sizable coastal home. There are only thoughtful investments and extended pauses, not extravagant public expenditures or celebrity reinvention stories.
He has supported businesses like cultivated-meat startups in recent years, indicating a preference for systems thinking over quick flips. He has acknowledged that investing can be frustrating and time-consuming, but it can also be too alluring to ignore at times.
The trajectory of Jitse Groen’s net worth has never been consistent. Alongside the company he founded, it has grown, shrunk, and adjusted, reflecting not only the mood of the market but also the boundaries of scale.
His path continues to be especially instructive for founders who were observing from earlier stages. As long as the underlying structure was designed to last, wealth can come in swiftly, disappear just as quickly, and return in a different form.
Looking ahead, Groen’s financial situation seems stable rather than remarkable, supported by decades of experience, liquidity, and credibility. His greatest strength may now be perspective in a field that rewards speed.