Linking Science with Business

‘But, however, trite it might sound, no one can ever take that title away from me. Aside from the personal satisfaction, there are some situations where it's nice to have a objective measure of success like a university degree to fall back on, alongside a professional CV.'

‘By identifying interfaces between the Information Studies programme and my own IT business (and you'll always find them) you kill two birds with one stone. You can apply the theory, which furthers the learning process, and you learn to examine your business from a different perspective.'

‘My Master's degree helped me to see ever more such interfaces, enabling me to combine subjects in entrepreneurship and information studies with my work. With the right amount of drive and discipline, you have that degree before you know it.'

Arnoud Haverlag co-founded Marvia with Jons Janssens and Steven van Wel. While studying economics at the University of Amsterdam Arnoud already had a computer company with Jons. Steven had his own advertising agency and eventually they decided to start Marvia together.

Marvia is an online application that allows businesses to create communication materials easily, and simultaneously monitor the corporate identity. The application allows a user to make changes quickly and easily and implement those to previously made print material. Besides savings (not having to return to an advertising agency for changes) the product helps to anticipate faster. Customers are e.g. brokers, franchise organizations and governments. The business model is based on a subscription model per user per month.

Arnoud start doing business because of the challenges and excitement that it brings. Together with his business partners he sees opportunities that they want to grab in order to put Marvia on the map.

getmarvia.com

In March 2011, Victor Mundi - Latin for world conqueror - officially launched in the Netherlands. Victor is the all-in-one platform for micro businesses (sole traders, freelancers, independent professionals and self-employed) and has as its mission to facilitate the life of the entrepreneur. Victor was founded by Jeroen Sakkers during the couse International Entrepreneurship at the University of Amsterdam. It was developed as a business case, working together with three other students: Geert (Doek), Jan-Paul and Laurence. I've already beem an entrepreneur since 2007 when I founded New-IT.

Jeroen Sakkers: "After the draft was finalized, I have surrounded myself with a strong team of developers: super important to the success of your business. With Victor team, now based in Noordbeemster, we have worked together with a large group of micro-businesses, in order to reach an all-in-one platform that is valuable for both starting entrepreneurs, successful entrepreneurs and the seasoned entrepreneur. The platform combines finding new jobs, tools that save time and money, and the possibilities to collaborate and network with peers. We currently have a web-based and mobile apps for Android, iPhone and iPad."

Ronald Kleverlaan is a serial-entrepreneur who runs internet companies.

Ronald Kleverlaan: "During the course Entrepreneurship in 1999 I started my first internet company. During and after the internet bubble I have developed innovative Internet concepts. In 2002-2003 I set up an international platform for the hotel industry, with offices in the Netherlands, Brazil and Malaysia, countries in which I've also lived. I sold these shares and I have been active in my current company (WEBclusive) since 2003. It is an Agile web agency for the development of major online platforms and has offices in The Hague and Amsterdam.

WEBclusive is one of the largest open-source development agencies in the Benelux countries and developed and currently manages successful Internet concepts such as www.voordekunst.nl, www.1procentclub.nl (both crowdfunding initiatives) and www.elinea.nl

While taking the International Entrepreneurship course in 2010 I worked for a starting online platform for academics. However, I always wanted to start my own company, and when I visited San Francisco and Silicon Valley with a trade mission for entrepreneurs in IT and Open Source, things started to move real fast. Together with a good friend I met an experienced entrepreneur in the software industry. Short time after the three of us decided to start a company in Mobile Enterprise Apps. Because we believe the future of business is mobile!

Applified creates Apps for employees and customers. Besides, we noticed that many companies still have question marks when thinking about mobile solutions. With a Mobile Opportunity Assessment we help them identify opportunities to connect their business to a growing mobile world.

We cooperate with Indian partners on the engineering process of Apps. They are fast, offer extensive capacity on all platforms, and are often firstmovers because they have ample experience outsourcing for large US clients. Besides, it ensures that we can focus on what we top in this country: concept development and design.

Currently we are doing projects in healthcare, software, new energy, event business, and retail. But Apps can actually serve all industries. In all, my work is diverse, innovative, and challenging, reason enough to start your own business!

www.applified.nl

Frankly, the amount of entrepreneurial failures startled me as the course International Entrepreneurship revealed. I never realised having a good idea isn’t a ticket to success. As the son of an entrepreneur I’ve seen how ideas easily spread and thrive while others directly result in failure. But why are ideas worth spreading? The master Business Studies at the UvA, my experience and research helped me finding the critical success factor: Purposeful Stories, since people don’t buy What you do, but Why you do it!

I believe every brand has its Story. Those who know theirs and tell it best, win!

LGND helps organizations and entrepreneurs find, tell and spread their Corporate Story. By using a unique Story Generation™ approach, corporate identities are turned into stories, strategies and concepts worth spreading.

www.lgnd.nl

Already during my studies of Physics & Astronomy (BSc.) and Particle & Astroparticle Physics (MSc.) intentions to apply existing – scientific or not – techniques for different purposes were abundant.  The course International Entrepreneurship is a treat for future entrepreneurs and for me an invite to start as an entrepreneur. After plenty discussions on innovating and existing applications, six months later, the contact with a student of Medicine, a student Economics and Business and a student Watermanagement had led to the concept of Sendency.

Sendency is exactly that company, which provides for all invitation and greeting cards for those special moments in life, which deserve a bit more attention.  By using the most impressive printing techniques we create the invitation card which can perfectly relate to your special moments in life. That card will also be accessible online, due to the use of the black and white QR-code and URL on the card. Online, the recipients of the card are allowed to use all applications on the personal platform, including RSVP, a guestbook and much more.

Sendency is located at the incubator of the Amsterdam Center for Entrepreneurship at the Sciencepark Amsterdam. We are enjoying our dynamic workplace, with access to all necessary facilities.

www.sendency.nl

The course International Entrepreneurship, taught by Mr. Dr. G.T. Vinig, has given us many insights about the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. It was during this course that we started talking to each other about expanding FXmedia (formerly founded by Niels Janssen) to a professional organization with a wide range of products and services. We have chosen to become a partner for our customers, a partner that provides smart media solutions that fit the business and communications issues. With our passion for all forms of media, we realize 2D/3D animations, websites, videos, online platforms, business presentations and provide our customers with online advice. With our broad network of professionals we take media challenges and provide a final product that the customer and the recipient will not soon forget.

www.fxmedia.nl

Adsome was founded in 2010. We are active in web design and marketing. We provide comprehensive services to SMEs, from small websites to websites with accounting systems and web shops, to social media consultancy reporting, or a complete marketing plan. We expanded our services to (online and offline) game design.

I have followed the course International Entrepreneurship in the first semester of 2009-2010 and this course is one of the reasons for starting a business. Besides the interesting material on entrepreneurship and related subjects, different presentations of business have taught me much about how I want to be an entrepreneur. For students who think about their own business or have any doubts .. Follow the master course International Entrepreneurship!

www.adsome.nl

!SYOU is a new sneaker brand. Each collection is based on a developing country and is achieved by working with this developing country. The first collection is based on Burkina Faso. Read everything isyou.com

!SYOU won the first and second round of the New Venture Business Plan Competition 2011.

In May 2011 !SYOU has won the Creative Amsterdam Award 2011.

www.isyou.com

TowelTV.com is the new online TV station in the Netherlands. We make short  programs that users can view on-demand through www.toweltv.com or via the mobile app. The main target group consists of a young audience of roughly 15 to 25 years. The short entertainment- and reality formats are like snacks for the viewer, a tasty little something for home or traveling. Once the Netherlands are conquered, Towel TV wants to expand across the border.

TowelTV.com was founded by Geert Doek. He always wanted to become an entrepreneur and has a passion for video and the online environment. The choice of setting up his own TV station was quickly made after he finished his master's in Business Studies at the University of Amsterdam. The content of the online television station is completely self produced by a small team of very creative people.

Geert Doek: "In 2009/2010, I followed the MSc Business Studies. In this course, I participated in the course International Entrepreneurship, led by Tsvi Vinig. International Entrepreneurship encourages students to put their ideas and theoretical knowledge into practice. An idea for a business is fun, but actually doing is even more fun! "

www.toweltv.com

Alon Ben Joseph, CEO of Ace Enterprises Group B.V., is an entrepreneur with a passion for:
- Watches;
- Fine Jewelry
- Diamonds; and
- eCommerce

Ace Enterprises Group is a privately held family business where the retail and e-tail acitivities in The Netherlands are managed by the Ace Jewelers Group of Amsterdam.
The wholesale activities are divided in two: the international distribution of exclusive Swiss writswatches are handelded by ChronoTime and manufacturing & distribution of exclusive platinum diamond jewelry by Infinitas.

Alon Ben Joseph is the founder of ACE On-line BV.

www.acejewelers.com

Natural Spices is a family business with a history of more than 80 years. Traditionally Natural Spices sells herbs and spices to the fresh produce industry (butchers, poultry).

In 2006 I terminated my job as a consultant because I saw more opportunities in the family business, that at that time was at a slow point. As a company we have significantly changed in order to increase our revenue and profitability.

Nowadays Natural Spices sells herbs, spices, spice mixes, sauces and marinades to the entire food industry. In addition, we are the online sales leader in our segment with our website www.naturalspices.eu .