Ernesto Spruyt

The deep tech sector can have a large impact on the future of the Dutch 🇳🇱 economy. I'm not optimistic about our current prospects. That is why together with other high growth scale ups we call on the government to start taking scaling up our technology industry seriously. Our future welfare will depend on creating the next ASML, Philips and Shell. This is what we need: 1. Have a long term view, and be consistent To make a difference we need an economic policy that values new company creation and we can rely on for the next 5-10 years. Dutch government policy has been inconsistent, slow and frankly hampering growth. The 30% ruling recently is a beautiful example. For me personally, it has led to increasing our investment in our location outside of the Netherlands. 2. If you decide to invest, take more risk When it comes to programs aimed at accelerating scale ups in technology, policy is aimed at reducing risk by introducing a ridiculous amount of bureaucracy. As a deep tech founder in the Netherlands I can currently only advise founders to avoid the Dutch government whenever you can. We need to make decisions, we need to take a risk, we need to remove the theater around innovation and actually trust founders that we believe can change the future to run as fast as they can. See what is happening in France right now with Mistral AI, Bioptimus. 3. Remove obstacles and get out of the way Building a company in the Netherlands is like running through the mud with clogs on. As a startup you need to move fast. If every day you move 1% slower than your international competitors you dont win. Opening a bank account in NL - took me 3 months. Hiring a fantastic ML researcher from the US? Took me 2 months. Not being able to provide a competitive offer as US taxes stock options differently? - Lost a great hire. Its not 1 particular rule. We need a mindset change to actually start removing obstacles for founders. Bureaucracy and lack of urgency is slowing us down enormously. We are 10 entrepreneurs with very fast-growing and impactful businesses and we would like to unite our voice, explain what we need and what it can be achieved for a better future of the Netherlands, with a large and positive impact at global scale. Support us! https://techchampions.nl/ #new tech champions, Eline van Beest (Hybridize Therapeutics ) Johan Feenstra (SMART Photonics) Matthijs Rijlaarsdam (QuantWare) Mattijs Slee (Battolyser Systems ) Koenraad Wiedhaup (Leyden Labs) Merel Boers (Nicolab) Hamed Sadeghian (Nearfield Instruments ) Elise de Reus (Cradle ) Christian Rood (LeydenJar) Joep Gommers (EclecticIQ )

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🚀 Entrepreneurial Insight: Build a Painkiller, Not a Vitamin 🚀 One of the key lessons I shared in my recent keynote speech at the University of the Witwatersrand was all about focusing on solving real problems. Here’s why it’s crucial: 🔍 Painkillers vs. Vitamins: In the world of startups, your product or service should address a pressing need—a "pain" for your customers. A painkiller provides immediate relief, while a vitamin is a nice-to-have but not essential. 💡 Why It Matters: When you solve a significant problem, you create real value and a strong demand for your solution. This approach not only drives growth but also ensures you’re meeting a genuine need in the market. 🔥 Actionable Tip: Always ask yourself, “What problem am I solving?” Make sure your solution is indispensable, not just an enhancement. Stay tuned for more insights from my keynote! For a deeper dive into this and other key lessons, check out the full video https://lnkd.in/d34JfAFY ! #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation #BusinessAdvice #PainkillerNotVitamin

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Vijen Patel is the founding partner of The 81 Collection, a VC fund that invests in unsexy industries. Before that, Vijen founded Pressbox, a dry cleaning startup, in 2013 and sold it to Procter & Gamble in 2018. In our conversation, Vijen shared: → What defined his upbringing → Journey with Pressbox → Building The 81 Collection → Investing in Hard Industries → The Power of Patience and Purpose → India opportunity → Sports & family & much more! Listen now 👇🏼 Youtube: https://bit.ly/3XujEs2 Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Tjeah5 Some key takeaways: 1. Breaking the Mold: Coming from a family of physicians, I chose a different path—entrepreneurship. Sometimes, success means stepping out of the expected and embracing your unique journey. 2. The Power of Risk-Taking: American culture's risk-taking spirit played a crucial role in my career. Being the first in my family to venture into technology, I realized that risk is often the bridge between dreams and reality. 3. From Actuarial Science to Building an Empire: My entrepreneurial journey started with a failed attempt at being an actuary. Yet, that experience led me to finance and eventually to founding a dry cleaning startup that grew to 1200 locations. Don’t fear pivots; they might lead you to unexpected success. 4. Investing in ‘Unsexy’ Industries: While many chase the next big tech startup, I found value in overlooked sectors. Investing in what others ignore can yield the most significant returns, both financially and socially. 5. Purpose-Driven Success: For me, entrepreneurship isn’t just about profits. It’s about creating jobs, lifting communities, and making a lasting impact. When your work aligns with a deeper purpose, the rewards are far beyond financial. What risks have you taken that changed your life or career? Share your thoughts below! #investing #entreprenurship #indiandiasporas

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New: Founders Mastermind in Amsterdam ➡️ Share a business challenge with selected founders (hot seat) 🤝 Share your expertise and knowledge with other founders in the group 👥 Groups of 4 for the mastermind. Open networking with the entire group afterwards. ✅ Matching based on team size, revenue, and business challenge. Ground rules of Founders Mastermind: 🔵 Confidentiality is key. 🔵 Join to genuinely share and receive as equals. This is not a coach-to-mentee event. 🔵 Zero-tolerance policy for promoting products/services during these events, or reaching out to members afterwards to sell. Sign up for the first Mastermind Event: 📍 Amsterdam 🗓️ Nov 7th 🕐 6PM Click here to sign up: https://lnkd.in/d3HXW5hB By signing up, you commit to attend the event. There are no costs associated other than your individual consumptions. If you don't have your membership yet (required to attend), you can get it here: https://lnkd.in/etn43udU

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Absolutely love this, Namrata! This is exactly what The Octopus Movement is all about—turning nonlinear brilliance into tangible change. The way we are harnessing AI to capture, organize, and validate ideas is a game-changer. It's like we've found a way to connect the wild creativity of our non-linear brains with the precision and depth of AI's pattern recognition. This isn't just ideation—it's about creating a constant flow from thought to think tank, to white papers, to startup potential, and beyond. We are unlocking new possibilities, making sure no brilliant idea slips through the cracks. I'm excited to see how this synergy between human creativity and AI's capabilities will lead to world-changing outcomes. Let’s bring those ideas to life and redefine how we create in this age of chaos!

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🌱 Struggling to get LCAs done at scale for your full product portfolio? Meet Root Sustainability , the start-up solving this exact problem. Co-founders Gijs de Mol and Maud Schijen know the frustration. Gijs spent years at Philips, trying to manually set up LCAs for many many products—nearly impossible at scale. Recognisable? 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: -  Most LCA tools either rely on incomplete, non-activity based data or are expensive for assessing hundreds of products at once. - This often results in reports that look good on paper but don’t drive true change. - Imagine changing to ingredients from a closer supplier… yet you can't measure the impact. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: - Automated LCA's for large product portfolio's. Via easy to use software. - It combines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) using primary, activity-based data to ensure accurate insights for impactful decisions. - Gain accurate LCA insights for your entire product portfolio - Identify key impact drivers, stay compliant, and reduce impact And yes, they’re a great team to work with! 😉 Do you know any other great sustainability start ups that deserve the spotlights. please let me know, via the comments? https://lnkd.in/eWFxurAa ----------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Maikel Fontein for (fun) insights, start-ups, trends, and news in Sustainability, compliance and food 🌍

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Erik Noyes writes on how entrepreneurs should consider using AI tools to analyze customer data at scale, extract valuable insights, and make informed decisions. At risk of repeating others, here’s the quick take: 🔷Otter.ai - for transcribing focus group sessions or interviews in seconds 🔷Microsoft Azure - detects emotional cues and tones in customer conversations, by aggregating this data over time we can more deeply understand how customers feel about the brand, product or service. 🔷MeaningCloud - voice of the customer (feedback at scale) aggregated from social, product reviews and customer support tickets. 🔷Claude - iterate/generate variations on messaging based on customer feedback 🔷Copy.ai - to create product descriptions that resonate with a target audience It has become clear that the future belongs to those who understand how to leverage AI effectively. Onwards! #AI #Entrepreneurship #CustomerExperience #DataManagement #Marketing

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Read how JouwWeb/Webador creates customer excellence in our ongoing 20 year celebration series. #openprovider #20years #webador #jouwweb

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➡️ EVEN ALERT: 31st of May in Utrecht Sprekersbureau The Speakers. There are just a few tickets left: https://lnkd.in/ewSavNGf If I knew then what I know now, I might have made different choices. As I prepare for my talk at the event on May 31st in Utrecht, I’m reminded of my time working at Microsoft as an account manager. I was responsible for Mediamarkt, and back then, it felt like I was navigating an all-boys club. I thought I could handle it, but I quickly noticed a pattern: when I smiled too much and was my authentic self, my boundaries were tested. Yet, when I was too harsh and firm with my boundaries, my sales suffered. It took me a while to understand who I needed to be in this dynamic. Just thinking about those days brings back the feeling of spending 10 minutes in my car, gathering the energy to become whoever I needed to be for the day. Don’t get me wrong—my strategy worked. My sales were strong, and my manager was pleased with my performance. But the energy it took to pretend was exhausting. If I had the right mentors or even a manual on how to survive in an old boys' club, I might have made different choices. I might have even avoided a few depressions and burnouts. That’s why I’m so excited about this upcoming event. I can share the knowledge I never had and provide an amazing toolbox of transformational tools. These tools will help you stay connected with yourself, rediscover your superpower, and be filled with the energy to reach your goals—all while being your authentic self. If this story resonates with you, I warmly invite you to join us. Sign up now—there are still 10 seats left. This event is not only going to be inspiring, but it will also provide you with the community and tools to support your transformation. https://lnkd.in/ewSavNGf

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Our advisors Paul Visser & Rik Visser have launched their consultancy firm Too Much Tech for scaleups and SMEs! Over the years, the Visser gang has always been there for good advice on our entrepreneurial endeavours. Their experience and creativity have always left us with new ideas and action points. You can find their website in the comments, so take a look and share it with anyone who might be in need. I can give it my highest recommendation 🫡 #consultancy #mentor #strategy Sophie van Dijk (LL.M, MBA)

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The Benefits of DMT: A Journey of Discovery 🌌 What Is DMT? Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a powerful compound found in various plants and animals, known for its mind-altering effects. 🌿✨ Used for centuries in rituals and religious practices, DMT is one of the active ingredients in ayahuasca, a psychedelic tea from South America. 🌍 Today, synthetic DMT is also made in labs and used recreationally for its short, intense trips. 🚀 The Experience: DMT offers a profound, transformative experience that can: Open up hidden memories and emotions 🧠💡 Enhance mood and spiritual connection 🌈🙏 Provide a sense of euphoria and intense happiness 😄 How It's Used: DMT can be consumed in several ways, including: Smoking in a pipe or vape pen 🚬 Drinking in an ayahuasca brew 🍵 Snorting as a powder 💨 Injecting with a syringe 💉 Safety and Side Effects: While DMT can offer incredible insights, it’s essential to be mindful of its side effects, such as increased heart rate, dizziness, and possible flashbacks. Always use DMT in a safe, supportive environment with trusted individuals to minimize risks. 🛡️🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Why Choose DMT for Wellness? DMT can be a powerful tool for personal growth, helping individuals break free from past traumas, enhance their creativity, and deepen their sense of self. 🌟 Whether you’re seeking to overcome addiction or simply explore new dimensions of your mind, DMT offers a unique pathway to wellness. At Sayulita Wellness, we embrace the transformative potential of psychedelics like DMT. Join us for a guided journey to discover the profound benefits of this incredible compound. 🌅 Ready to explore? Contact us today and embark on your path to wellness! 🌺✨ #SayulitaWellness #DMT #PsychedelicTherapy #Mindfulness #WellnessJourney #TransformativeExperience

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Founders Invest in Building Exceptional Teams. A great part of my job is talking with founders in the start-up ecosystem. One thing they mostly understand is that their entrepreneurial journey is all about being passionate about turning dreams into reality. ❌ ❌ ❌ Based in Amsterdam with a global vision, I support visionary founders across Europe, from tech hubs to hidden gems. My focus is on nurturing ideas from pre-seed to Series A, particularly in B2B solutions that transform the way businesses operate—think collaboration in employer branding, Building the best teams, tools, AI, tech, and more. Ready to take your startup to the next level? Let’s turn challenges into opportunities. 🚀 Get in touch today! #StartupEcosystem #FoundersJourney #Entrepreneurship #TeamBuilding #B2BSolutions #PreSeedToSeriesA #EmployerBranding #AIInnovation #TechHubs #AmsterdamBased #GlobalVision #BusinessTransformation

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🌟 9 Critical Habits for Startup Founders: Insights from Conversations with Founders Over the past 1.5 years, Sander Peltenburg and I have been speaking with numerous founders to uncover the strategies they use to maintain mentally strong: grow resilience, navigate setbacks, and sustain their drive to create success. From these conversations, we've gathered a wealth of valuable insights. Amongst these there are many habits and best practices that made a significant difference in the entrepreneurial journeys of these founders. Things they did consciously (or sometimes subconsciously) every day,  week or month, to assure they remained focussed, positive and driven. Here are 9 habits frequently mentioned by successful founders: From daily reflections, goal setting, to limiting distractions and assuring they have time for themselves. Adopting these habits can transform not only your productivity and creativity,, but also your ability to sustainably navigate the challenges that come with entrepreneurship . Do you have any habits to add?  Or do you want to learn more? Reach out were very excited y to share more. #Founderresilience #Entrepreneurship #Founders #HabitsForSuccess #Personalgrowth #Leadership

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Excited to share our latest Glasp Talk! 🌟 Join us as we dive into the world of speculative fiction with bestselling author Eliot Peper. Discover his unique journey, writing process, and how he envisions the future. 📚✨ 1. Career Journey and Inspiration: Eliot Peper started his career as a research assistant in international environmental policy, moved into business development and entrepreneurship, and then became a speculative fiction writer. His love for reading and the desire to create stories he wanted to read himself inspired his transition to writing. 2. Speculative Fiction Themes: Peper's novels often explore the intersection of technology and culture. His works include "Foundry," "Veil," and "Cumas," which have received praise from notable publications and figures. His speculative approach allows him to imagine and dramatize future technological and societal developments. 3. Writing Process and Philosophy: Peper emphasizes the importance of finishing projects to learn and grow as a writer. He writes novels from ideas that intrigue him, whether high-concept scenarios like solar geoengineering or personal character interactions. His process involves thorough research and a commitment to completing each project despite challenges. 4. Tools and Techniques: Peper uses various writing tools, including Ulysses for rough drafts and Microsoft Word for collaborative editing. He believes the content's quality comes from the writer's passion and focus rather than the specific tools used. He also values brainstorming and getting feedback from others to refine his ideas. 5. Storytelling and Legacy: Peper advises founders and entrepreneurs on storytelling, emphasizing the importance of articulating a compelling narrative to connect with the right audience. For him, the legacy of his work lies in offering stories that enrich readers' lives, whether they discover them now or in the distant future. His goal is to create lasting, impactful literature that resonates with people when they need it most. #GlaspTalk https://lnkd.in/g2rv9yCC

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Would you like to invest in a vacation home in Curaçao? Jan P. Hogendoorn CPM Real Estate Services, Inc. Putiton-e is the paid encyclopedia   Investing in a vacation home is a great way to build extra equity.  You can make money by renting out the house and possibly sell the property with a capital gain. However, it is important to keep an eye on the risks, such as high maintenance costs or a deteriorating housing market. It is possible to only rent out the home, but you can also buy the home (partially) for your own use.

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Entrepreneurship isn’t just about spotting a gap in the market and filling it; it’s a tug-of-war between our dreams and our fears that ultimately shape the solutions we develop. When I think about the kind of future I want to build with my business, I imagine using technology to create a reality in which people don’t have to feel unsafe or underserved when making big purchases online. At the same time, I'm wary of a future where the human touch is lost in the digital realm entirely. That’s why I’m challenging myself to find the balance between these two seemingly oppositional elements. I want to create a solution that harnesses the power of technologies like AI but ensures that it enhances human interaction rather than replaces it. As entrepreneurs, we can’t afford to have tunnel vision. We need to consider the full range of implications our products could have on the world– before we create them. By negotiating those push and pull factors, we can create value for our future users.

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On a mission: Pavilion x Givemefive at Wintercircus Ghent The topic is more relevant than ever. For years, many tech startups and scaleups have heard the mantra "grow at all costs," but those days are over. It's time to stop leaving money on the table and to get the revenue you deserve. Next week, for +30 entrepreneurs from the Ghent tech scene, I'll animate a highly engaging discussion on Value Packaging & Pricing with Jens Massaert (12 years of experience in GTM). Topics we will cover: 1. The right packaging and add-on models for landing & expanding 2. Huge client diversity (with different willingness-to-pay): how to deal with it? 3. Pricing of Professional Services in SaaS: good and bad practices 4. Usage (and user)-based: when is it really relevant? 5. AI in SaaS: impact on pricing 6. Credits: good and bad practices 7. Discounts and surcharges: good and bad practices (including Reverse trial) I can already tell you, it will be intense! Thank you Jona Koekelcoren for organizing this.

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One of the top things that make entrepreneurship hard is when you lack a community of people who are all in the same boat. So, after years of working from cafe's, flex- and home office, Buster Franken and I deemed it the right time to take matter into our own hands and create a community of startup founders in Utrecht. Instead of an anonymous flex office or a co-working space, we want it to be a tight-knit group of people working seriously on their (impact) startups. Aside from work, there's also the important things that bring us together like shared lunches, drinks, community events and work-out sessions. The beautiful thing is that the community is for and by founders, where everyone will contribute to make it their own 🔥 Here's a video tour & intro: https://lnkd.in/ecvj88HZ (yes my face looks great on the thumbnail don't you think 🤣 ) Apply here: https://lnkd.in/efVF5Xm4 :) Even more info on the Notion page: https://lnkd.in/eEbyz5GX

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We're back with more Jaap Vriesendorp - one of my favorite episodes to record on Superclusters, not just with the amount of notes I took, but just that Even better, my man Jaap, just put another great Medium article that covers why entry windows and exit windows matter. Something I'd highly recommend checking out: https://lnkd.in/gvxCWwuj A lot of which harkens back to our episode together where most LPs think about time diversification only from a entry point perspective, but not enough think about diversifying exit windows. As such there is immense value in allocating to different asset classes with different time horizons. And also, the podcast is back online (had a few technical difficulties over the last few weeks)

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