Eva Metsu never planned to lead major investment rounds or negotiate high-stakes M&A deals. When she started her career in Belgium as a junior lawyer, her ambitions were pragmatic: maybe one day, with a bit of luck, she’d rise to Head of Legal. But fate - and a fast-moving train called Lighthouse - had other plans.
“I joined what I thought was just another software company,” she says. “I knew nothing about startups or scaleups.”
That leap into the unknown ended up reshaping her trajectory. Within a few years, she wasn’t just reviewing contracts - she was building a legal function from the ground up and leading negotiations on a $370 million fundraise with one of the world’s top private equity firms.
“It’s been like being on a high-speed train,” she says. “There are no stops - and that’s what makes it so exciting.”
What keeps Eva grounded through the acceleration? A mindset rooted in adaptability and business partnership. “My professional mission is simple,” she says. “I don’t want to be seen as ‘just the lawyer.’ I want to be a true business partner - someone the team turns to not just for legal review but for strategic input.”
That mindset has transformed her legal team’s role at Lighthouse. “If something’s urgent, we’re on it. You don’t have to wait three weeks for a contract review. We’re here to help the business move forward.”
Being part of the Openli community reinforces that approach. “It’s incredibly comforting to see that everyone’s dealing with the same challenges,” Eva explains. “When you’re the only lawyer - or even leading a small legal team - it can feel like you’re navigating in the dark. The Openli community gives you light, perspective, and practical advice from people who’ve been there.”
The biggest influence on how she approaches her work? “Definitely joining Lighthouse,” she says. “It taught me to be pragmatic, to pivot fast, and to accept that nothing is set in stone. You have to read between the lines - because the letter of the law doesn’t always fit business reality.”
And while Eva may be known around the office for her impeccable style - never repeating an outfit two days in a row - there’s another side to her most people don’t expect. “I’m actually really into DIY,” she says. “During COVID, my partner and I renovated the entire upper floor of our house ourselves. I’m good with a circular saw, I calculate everything, and I love working with my hands. It’s the perfect counterbalance to a day in front of a screen.”
As she puts it, “I might be a general counsel by day - but I’m basically Bob the Builder by night.”
