Start to scale. Startup and Scale-up Founder Stories.
77 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago -Showcasing the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem of Rotterdam - and our journey to support the startup and scale-up founders responsible. Hosted by Lars Crama, edited by Lisette Braakenburg. (Buma Stemra licence 10682974)
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Episodes
Graciella van Vliet, CEO and co-founder of Closure, on growing a startup in death-tech
January 18, 2022 08:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBShe co-founded death tech company - yes you heard that right - Closure with Chantal van der Velde in 2017. They won the Philips Innovation Award and made it to top 3 in Sprout’s Dutch startup of the year. Graciella has a Master in Econometrics from Erasmus University Rotterdam, and she was awarded Rotterdam Business Woman of the year. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: Death and tech; Funding your growth; The things Graciëlla does when she’s not working on Closure. ...
Graciella van Vliet, CEO and co-founder of Closure, on growing a startup in death-tech.
January 18, 2022 08:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBShe co-founded death tech company - yes you heard that right - Closure with Chantal van der Velde in 2017. They won the Philips Innovation Award and made it to top 3 in Sprout’s Dutch startup of the year. Graciella has a Master in Econometrics from Erasmus University Rotterdam, and she was awarded Rotterdam Business Woman of the year. In this episode, we'll cover the following topics: Death and tech; Funding your growth; The things Graciëlla does when she’s not working on Closure. ...
Nalden, founder of WeTransfer and Adelee, on surrounding yourself with the right people and keeping a beginner's mindset
November 30, 2021 08:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBFast company described him as “A hybrid of the serial entrepreneur Sean Parker and Jason Kottke, the web designer and blogger". But we like his own twitter description better: “Father of two; a husband to one, founder and angel investor of some.” Nalden gained his online reputation through his blog, which he started at the age of 16. In 2009, he founded file-sharing service WeTransfer, which he exited in 2019. He is now building a new startup - Adelee - to foster connection for families &...
Nalden, founder of WeTransfer and Adelee, on surrounding yourself with the right people and keeping a beginner's mindset.
November 30, 2021 08:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBFast company described him as “A hybrid of the serial entrepreneur Sean Parker and Jason Kottke, the web designer and blogger". But we like his own twitter description better: “Father of two; a husband to one, founder and angel investor of some.” Nalden gained his online reputation through his blog, which he started at the age of 16. In 2009, he founded file-sharing service WeTransfer, which he exited in 2019. He is now building a new startup - Adelee - to foster connection for families &...
Founder and CEO of Nearfield Instruments, Hamed Sadeghian, about scaling up in a highly capital intensive industry.
November 16, 2021 08:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBIn 2016, Hamed Sadeghian co-founded Nearfield Instruments together with Roland van Vliet as a spin out from TNO. Nearfield has since then become a leader in semiconductor metrology solutions, with offices in Eindhoven and Rotterdam, employing over a 100 people. Hamed received his PhD cum laude in 2010 from Delft University of Technology in nano-mechatronics systems design. He holds more than 60 patents, has authored over 100 papers and co-authored a number of books. Hamed also holds an MBA ...
Founder and CEO of Nearfield Instruments, Hamed Sadeghian, about scaling up in a highly capital intensive industry
November 16, 2021 08:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBIn 2016, Hamed Sadeghian co-founded Nearfield Instruments together with Roland van Vliet as a spin out from TNO. Nearfield has since then become a leader in semiconductor metrology solutions, with offices in Eindhoven and Rotterdam, employing over a 100 people. Hamed received his PhD cum laude in 2010 from Delft University of Technology in nano-mechatronics systems design. He holds more than 60 patents, has authored over 100 papers and co-authored a number of books. Hamed also holds an MBA ...
Julian Jagtenberg, founder and CEO of Somnox, about sleep, sales and building a dream team.
November 01, 2021 09:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBJulian is the founder and CEO of Somnox, which he started with fellow students at the Technical University of Delft in 2015. Two years ago they introduced the world’s first sleep robot to the market. Somnox patented technology received various awards: Philips Innovation Award, Rabobank Sustainable Innovation Award and the #1 most innovative business of the Netherlands. But most importantly, the Somnox sleeprobot is used by tens of thousands people around the world to improve their sleep. Ju...
Jarell Habets, CEO of Shypple, on shaking up traditional industries and the 'quantified self'
July 13, 2021 07:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBIn 2016, Jarell founded Shypple - the "booking.com for intercontinental sea freight that connects more than 3000 companies worldwide." In 2020, Shypple was voted Sprout Startup of the year. In april 2021, they raised a 7 Million Euro Series A, bringing the total funding to 9,5 Million and gearing up for more to facilitate acquisitions. Jarell earned his bachelor degree in Tilburg and his Masters in Rotterdam and turns out to be quite competitive. In this episode, we'll cover the following...
Jarell Habets, CEO of Shypple, on shaking up traditional industries and the 'quantified self'.
July 13, 2021 07:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBIn 2016, Jarell founded Shypple - the "booking.com for intercontinental sea freight that connects more than 3000 companies worldwide." In 2020, Shypple was voted Sprout Startup of the year. In april 2021, they raised a 7 Million Euro Series A, bringing the total funding to 9,5 Million and gearing up for more to facilitate acquisitions. Jarell earned his bachelor degree in Tilburg and his Masters in Rotterdam and turns out to be quite competitive. In this episode, we'll cover the following...
EJ Lugt, founder of Nimbuzz and MD at YES!Delft, on dream exits, entrepreneurial ecosystems and sports.
June 29, 2021 07:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBEJ sold his first business @Media to the Dutch Broadcasting Service in 2001. In 2006, he founded Nimbuzz, which he sold for 137 Million Euros to New Call Telecom in 2014. He then went on to found NGTI, until he dedicated himself to take up a role as the Managing Director of YES!Delft - voted #2 best university incubator in the world. EJ is also a guest speaker at Nyenrode on innovation and transformation, an expert member for the European Commission and… a force to be reckoned with when it...
Magnet.me founder Vincent Karremans on combining entrepreneurship with politics.
June 15, 2021 07:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBVincent is the founder and Managing Director of Magnet.me - the online network that helps young professionals find a job they love. In his spare time, Vincent represents the VVD, the liberal party at the City Council of Rotterdam. So you can see him on Dutch television every now and then. He has also been one of the driving forces behind the scale-up program in Rotterdam. In this episode, we cover the following topics: How do you compete in a crowded market like recruitment; The opportu...
Magnet.me founder Vincent Karremans on combining entrepreneurship with politics
June 15, 2021 07:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBVincent is the founder and Managing Director of Magnet.me - the online network that helps young professionals find a job they love. In his spare time, Vincent represents the VVD, the liberal party at the City Council of Rotterdam. So you can see him on Dutch television every now and then. He has also been one of the driving forces behind the scale-up program in Rotterdam. In this episode, we cover the following topics: How do you compete in a crowded market like recruitment; The opportu...
Han Kleppe, founder of Leadinfo, about beating the odds as a bootstrapped single founder.
June 01, 2021 07:00 - 51 minutes - 35.4 MBHan is the founder of LeadInfo, category leader in B2B website visitor analytics. Before founding LeadInfo, Han worked for Telecom 360 for almost eight years, where he learned all about growing conference call services in multiple countries. Han featured on Dutch News Radio BNR twice in 2018 and 2019 and his interview at SaasBazen was the most downloaded episode. In this episode, we'll discuss: How do you beat the odds as a bootstrapped single founder? What is Han's strategy for winning...
HousingAnywhere CEO Djordy Seelmann on acquisitions, dealing with investors, and fast decision-making.
May 18, 2021 07:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBDjordy is a tech entrepreneur who is passionate about real estate and building impactful ventures. With a Master in Law (Cum Laude) and a Master in Science, he joined HousingAnywhere in 2014. In 2018, Djordy took over as the CEO. He professionalised the company, led multiple funding rounds taking the total amount raised by the company to €35.5 million, accomplished four successful acquisitions within 12 months and navigated the business through the Covid-19 crisis. In this episode, we disc...
Cinzia Silvestri, CEO of BI/OND, about building a business in the pioneering field of Organ-on-chips.
May 04, 2021 07:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBCinzia Silvestri is the Founder and CEO of Bi/ond, the Dutch biotech company on a mission to enable personalized disease treatment. Originally from Italy, Cinzia holds a Master in Electronic Engineering from the University of Rome, and a PhD in Microelectronics from Delft University of Technology. She is a TEDx speaker and was selected InspiringFifty. In this episode, we discuss: What is it like to build a business in the pioneering field of Organ-on-chips? How do you keep faith when you...
Cinzia Silvestri, CEO of BI/OND, about building a business in the pioneering field of Organ-on-chips
May 04, 2021 07:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBCinzia Silvestri is the Founder and CEO of Bi/ond, the Dutch biotech company on a mission to enable personalized disease treatment. Originally from Italy, Cinzia holds a Master in Electronic Engineering from the University of Rome, and a PhD in Microelectronics from Delft University of Technology. She is a TEDx speaker and was selected InspiringFifty. In this episode, we discuss: What is it like to build a business in the pioneering field of Organ-on-chips? How do you keep faith when you...
LeQuest CEO Hicham Shatou on building a global scale-up and being a family man at the same time
April 20, 2021 07:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBThis episode features Hicham Shatou, Founder and CEO of LeQuest. Hicham is a man on a mission to improve the world of healthcare. With a background in civil engineering, he founded LeQuest, the leading MedTech company in online training for medical devices. Last year, LeQuest was recognised as one of the 250 fastest-growing companies in the Netherlands. Hicham is also an investor and coach at BlueSparrows, a Delft Based MedTech fund, where he shares his experience and insights with upcoming...
LeQuest CEO Hicham Shatou on building a global scale-up and being a family man at the same time.
April 20, 2021 07:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBThis episode features Hicham Shatou, Founder and CEO of LeQuest. Hicham is a man on a mission to improve the world of healthcare. With a background in civil engineering, he founded LeQuest, the leading MedTech company in online training for medical devices. Last year, LeQuest was recognised as one of the 250 fastest-growing companies in the Netherlands. Hicham is also an investor and coach at BlueSparrows, a Delft Based MedTech fund, where he shares his experience and insights with upcoming...
CEO Jeroen van Velzen on finding a strategic buyer for Roadmap
April 06, 2021 06:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBThis episode features Jeroen van Velzen, Founder and CEO of Roadmap. Jeroen has an impressive entrepreneurial record. In 2002, he co founded Mobile2Pay, the first mobile payment system in the Benelux. After that, he became CEO and co-owner of Sound Of Data. In 2015, together with Koen Bavink and Markus Emmer, he spun out their travel activities, which became Roadmap. They raised a EUR4M series A in 2018. In March this year, Roadmap was acquired by Emburse, a global leader in expense managem...
CEO Jeroen van Velzen on finding a strategic buyer for Roadmap.
April 06, 2021 06:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBThis episode features Jeroen van Velzen, Founder and CEO of Roadmap. Jeroen has an impressive entrepreneurial record. In 2002, he co founded Mobile2Pay, the first mobile payment system in the Benelux. After that, he became CEO and co-owner of Sound Of Data. In 2015, together with Koen Bavink and Markus Emmer, he spun out their travel activities, which became Roadmap. They raised a EUR4M series A in 2018. In March this year, Roadmap was acquired by Emburse, a global leader in expense managem...
Equalture CEO Charlotte Melkert about raising your first round of capital, becoming an entrepreneur at a young age and more.
March 22, 2021 11:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBThis episode features Charlotte Melkert, Founder and CEO of Equalture. At the age of 19, Charlotte started her first company, together with her identical twin sister Fleur. Today, she is the co-founder and CEO of Equalture - the fast growing HR Tech company that is shaping the world of unbiased hiring. Charlotte was nominated most talented female entrepreneur of The Netherlands, LOEY Talent Award, Sprout 25 under 25 and Sifted's top European Gen Z Founders. In this episode, we'll talk to C...
CEO Jan van der Tempel about his entrepreneurial journey with Ampelmann and everything about building and scaling a successful business.
March 09, 2021 07:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBThis episode features Jan van der Tempel, Founder and CEO of Ampelmann. Jan is the inventor, co-founder and CEO of Ampelmann, the global leader in motion compensated offshore access systems and services, used on vessels all over the world. Jan is also the co-founder and director of DOB-Academy and in 2018 he was awarded as an honorary member of the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers, for his domestic and international contributions to the offshore industry. In this episode, we'll talk...
CEO Kars Veling about his personal journey growing LessonUp and his dreams for the future
February 22, 2021 13:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBThis episode features Kars Veling, Founder and CEO of LessonUp. In 2000 Kars founded strategic internet agency Q42, where he was the CTO and is still on the board of advisors. In 2014, he started LessonUp where he is now CEO. Kars is also a Co initiator of Future NL, the foundation focused at bringing digital literacy to the classroom; and until last year he was a member of the Economic Board of the Hague. In this episode, we'll talk to Kars about: How the corona lockdown accelerates the...
CEO Kars Veling about his personal journey growing LessonUp and his dreams for the future.
February 22, 2021 13:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBThis episode features Kars Veling, Founder and CEO of LessonUp. In 2000 Kars founded strategic internet agency Q42, where he was the CTO and is still on the board of advisors. In 2014, he started LessonUp where he is now CEO. Kars is also a Co initiator of Future NL, the foundation focused at bringing digital literacy to the classroom; and until last year he was a member of the Economic Board of the Hague. In this episode, we'll talk to Kars about: How the corona lockdown accelerates the...
Helloprint CEO Hans Scheffer on company culture and navigating your scale-up through a crisis
February 08, 2021 08:00 - 47 minutes - 32.4 MBThis episode features Hans Scheffer, Founder and CEO of Helloprint. He started his first business at the age of 19. Today, he is disrupting the Print Industry by Creating Earth's Largest Platform for Printed Products, Next to that, he is Founding Partner of WeTechRotterdam, an initiative to strengthen the tech community. In this episode, you'll learn: How do you build a company culture for fast growth? What do you do when a crisis turns your business upside down? And, what drives him o...
Helloprint CEO Hans Scheffer on company culture and navigating your scale-up through a crisis.
February 08, 2021 08:00 - 47 minutes - 32.4 MBThis episode features Hans Scheffer, Founder and CEO of Helloprint. He started his first business at the age of 19. Today, he is disrupting the Print Industry by Creating Earth's Largest Platform for Printed Products, Next to that, he is Founding Partner of WeTechRotterdam, an initiative to strengthen the tech community. In this episode, you'll learn: How do you build a company culture for fast growth? What do you do when a crisis turns your business upside down? And, what drives him o...
CEO Judith Eyck on building travel scale-up Vakanties.nl and acquiring your competitor.
January 19, 2021 20:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBThis episode features Judith Eyck, Founder of vakanties.nl and Managing Director of Zoover. Judith founded online travel agency Vakanties.nl in 2017 with Sunweb founder Joost Romeijn as investor. In the following two years Judith led Vakanties to grow rapidly. She was nominated for Loey Talent Awards 2019 and Rotterdam Business Woman Awards 2020. In the summer of 2020, in the middle of the corona pandemic, she successfully acquired Zoover, of which she is now co-owner and managing director...