Meet Our Masters
Entrepreneurs and advisors who have established, scaled, funded, and exited companies and want to help others
Dieuwke Hoogland
Founder & Master
Dieuwke Hoogland has been an entrepreneur for many years and has cofounded several tech startups. As a non-tech educated female she is an example of being able to successfully build a career in the STEM area.
Dieuwke is a fan of ‘paying forward’ to the community. She volunteers at the Board of Advisors of AI scaleup Braincreators. She is a mentor at the European Innovation Council Female Leadership Program for women entrepreneurs and researchers. And she is founder of Female Ventures, a network for business women in the Netherlands.
Dieuwke has a broad experience in boosting start- and scale-up companies in tech and IT services and focuses on legal, finance, contracting, partnerships and acquisition.
Tessa de Flines
Founder & Master
Tessa de Flines is specialised introducing and implementing processes, structure and planning in the organizations of scaling companies as well as helping companies to approach fundraising like a project. Her strong analytical and problem-solving skills allow her to quickly identify high impact improvements. She has many years of experience in developing and executing various types of strategic plans. Tessa is at her best in situations where she can bring order in the chaos, create simplicity from complexity and set clear priorities. With many years of international experience and with an American Dutch background, she is well-versed in achieving results in cross-cultural organisations.
Duke Urbanik
Founder & Master
Duke Urbanik started his first company as a TU Delft Mechanical Engineering student and grew it into an international software company. After selling it to Monsanto in 1999, Duke was involved in a multitude of new companies, starting them or plotting out a strategy. Since 2010 he is involved in YES!Delft as Entrepreneur in Residence.
Currently active in The Venture Generator (design and build startups for corporates), 2XD.NL (portfolio investments), ScaleUpDelta (scaleup company community), TEKDelta Ambassador (Corporate-startup matchmaking) and Advisory Board member of a dozen scaleup companies. Quartermaster and 1st chairman of the board of Venture Cafe Rotterdam.
Specialized in Growth Strategy, Product Development, IT and connecting companies to game changers and corporate partners.
Ryan Jackson
Master / Advisory Board
Ryan Jackson is a serial entrepreneur, advisor, and investor. He is currently the Product Manager for Modern Treasury, a San Francisco-based FinTech company. Prior to Modern Treasury, he was the founder and CEO of Paid, an automated billing platform, which was sold in 2019. Ryan has started multiple companies, raised millions in venture capital from top-tier investors, and is a two-time Y Combinator founder. He graduated with a bachelors and a masters in computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) studying UI/X design, AI, and tangible media interfaces. Moving from San Francisco to Amsterdam in 2019, he enjoys working remotely, making music, exercising, and cooking.
Richard Burger
Master / Advisory Board
Born and raised in a small village near Zwolle. Moved to Delft after highschool to study Marine Technology at the Technical University of Delft. Succesfully graduated my masters while starting a business in Bicycle As A Service; Swapfiets.
Grew this business exponentially from zero to ~200.000 active members, in 4 countries, 55 cities and ~1500 colleagues, in roughly 5 years time. Still fully active within Swapfiets with a strong focus on operational development, service and sustainability.
I know all about scaling a product-as-a-service company where my focus is mainly on the team, the product/concept and the processes.
Andy Baynes
Master
Andy Baynes is a former Apple, Nest and Google executive, serial entrepreneur, and product design and innovation specialist.
Joining Nest as a start up in 2012, Andy was the founding head of Nest’s business development group. Andy helped expand Nest to fourteen countries making it the world’s most recognised brand for energy efficiency and smart home technology and helping propel Nest towards a $3.2 billion acquisition by Google.
Prior to joining Nest, Andy was the Director of Environmental Technologies at Apple where he founded the industry’s first product design strategy for environmental excellence. He has over 20 years of experience in the consumer electronics and IT sector and has patented a number of innovations and published several articles on design and innovation, environmental product design and energy efficiency.
Andy is an advisor and investor to early stage technology companies and has lectured at Stanford, Berkely Haas, Oxford University SAID School of Business and Middlebury Institute for International Studies.
Koen Bouwers
Master
Koen completed degrees in physics and law in parallel after which he did research at TNO as a conscript then started working at Philips as a management trainee. He worked for Apple, first in Paris, France then Cupertino, California for a couple of years. He worked at several startups in the USA, including L&H where he started a new division and grew the revenue in two years to a $60 million yearly run rate.
In 2000, he got his MBA from MIT. He moved back to the Netherlands to be the CEO of Consul Risk management, a TU Delft spin-off, and raised €11 million. The company was successfully sold to IBM.
He has been CEO and interim-CEO of various companies, including a flying car spin off that was sold to Geely, the owner of Volvo. In between, he was a Venture Capitalist in Beijing China. Currently he runs CoT partners, a consultancy firm that helps small companies with strategy, growth, M&A, fundraising and going public on the NASDAQ First North.
Laurens de Bruijn
Master
Laurens is a senior executive and entrepreneur. He co-founded a series of successful cardiology outpatient clinics in the Netherlands in 2006, targeting process optimisation through standardisation and digital applications. He initiated and drove their UK market entry in 2016, both independently and in partnership with private and public hospitals (an easy sell that proved hard to implement).
Laurens has worked as an investor in technology private equity in London for eight years and was also in charge of Oxford University Clinic where he focused on innovations in MedTech and healthcare services in JV with Mayo Clinic. As an advisor, mentor and shareholder, he has worked on acquisitions and capital raises as well as with scale-ups from a variety of industries, including on behalf of Oxford University’s accelerator.
Laurens currently serves on the executive board of independent breast cancer hospital Alexander Monro Ziekenhuis and holds an MSc in finance & investments from the Rotterdam School of Management.
Dominique Coster
Master
Dominique Coster earned a PhD in Chemistry / Material Science from the University of Wisconsin after a Master in Bio-engineering from the Université Catholique de Louvain in his native Belgium. He later joined the R&D Center of Glaverbel/AGC, a major glass maker. Through his career, Dominique occupied multiple senior leadership positions in Europe and the US.
In parallel, his scope expanded to include technical, managerial, leadership and strategic aspects. Dominique and his team solved major technical issues that lead to the development and manufacturing of innovative glass products. His accomplishments are typically at the crossroad between market needs, technology innovation and manufacturing.
Dominique is now supporting several high caliber startups and spinoffs from diverse scope and origin with his background in Automotive, Building and Renewable Energy.
Pieter Jan Doets
Master
Pieter Jan is a Business Growth Architect that has helped both corporate clients such as Microsoft, Oracle, SAS and Airmiles as well as high-tech scale-up companies to achieve tangible results and market leadership positions.
His core competencies and passion are in achieving unbeatable competitive power (marketing, product innovation, etc.) and organizing a growth strategy process to meet shareholders objectives.
Barry Edney
Master
Barry is an experienced corporate executive, entrepreneur and consultant having worked with large manufacturing organisations on digital transformations and implementation of new ways of working (TOM), turnaround and recovery of poor performing businesses, lowering ‘cost to serve’ in sales and distribution networks and post merger / acquisition integrations.
He has led marketing functions including market entry strategies, product portfolio optimisation and price / margin improvement initiatives.
Hervé Francois
Master
Hervé is a financial veteran with over twenty years of experience in the Investment Banking / Private Equity industry (as Quant, Trader, Digital Assets Lead and Partner). He has worked for Investcorp, ING Bank, and Natixis across France, USA, Japan, Hong-Kong, the Netherlands, and UAE.
Entrepreneur-minded and business-oriented, Hervé successfully launched different blockchain / digital assets initiatives from proof of concept into production, capitalizing on blockchain technology potential in order to unlock mass-scale value. Some examples of multi-million solutions include HQLAx and Pyctor, a digital assets post-trade market infrastructure, where he was CEO before a successful exit in 2022.
He is currently Partner at Investcorp, a leading provider and manager of alternative investment products with $50bio AUM, where he is in charge of the Blockchain / Digital Assets fund out of the Abu Dhabi office.
Brad Furber
Master
Brad is an active seed and early-stage investor, and also an entrepreneur, company advisor and corporate and securities lawyer (licensed in USA). He is the founder of Aery Advisors, which develops and delivers a suite of strategic coaching services, masterclasses and resources for founders, CEO and funders seeking to scale startup and emerging growth ventures globally.
Brad earned a B.A. from the University of Washington, an M.P.P. from the Sanford School of Public Policy (Duke University) and a J.D. from Duke Law School. He is based in Basel, Switzerland.
Mathieu Goudot
Master
Karin Govaert
Master
Karin Govaert has been an entrepreneur in the maritime industry for over 20 years. She is co-founder and Director of Rivermaas (2010), an investor in maritime assets and sustainable technology for on-board applications.
Karin has completed a degree in Economics in Rotterdam and Master in Finance in Tilburg.
Jeannette Homan
Master
Jeannette Homan is an entrepreneur with focus on growth through digitisation (development and implementation). She has 20+ years experience in managing major projects from strategy to implementation.
Focus on fintech, banking, investments, insurances, pensions and energy. In-depth knowledge of strategy, data, AI&ML, blockchain, software, platform architecture and sales.
Pieter Kraaijeveld
Master
Pieter Kraaijeveld is a seasoned executive in business and organizational development for public and private corporates as well as start and scale ups. For the first 20 years of his career, he worked in the aviation, airport development, mobility, transportation, production and infrastructure industries. The last 7 years of his career, he has supported a variety of companies with their growth and business / organizational developments.
At present active for Fugro, Niagara Networks (Interface Masters technology spin-off) and ETPA (Energy Trading Platform Amsterdam part of TenneT).
Peter Lennartz
Master
Peter Lennartz is a former partner with EY in Berlin. Working in the US for several years ignited his entrepreneurial spirit. He initiated EY’s Startup Initiative in Berlin, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. He supported entrepreneurs as an advisor and auditor and in various programs and analyzed Start- and Scaleup funding in Germany and Europe. He is a Jury member and mentor in various startup programs.
Peter considers himself to have a decent and quick understanding of various industries with main focus on SaaS, digital health and prop tech startups. Today Peter is a startup coach specialized on strategy, financials and team related issues. He is also investing in startups as a business angel, is a member of the business angel club Berlin and of various advisory and supervisory boards.
Sofie van London
Master
Strategic advisor with over 35 years of M&A experience at the high end of the international market. Broad network. Develops business models, value propositions, synergies, teaming, joint ventures and other joint operations; transforms organisations; devises checks and balances models for governance and quality assurance.
Has structured innovation in sharing communities, services sectors, R&D, cross-border operations and data collection. Proven track record of success in leading and supporting new modalities, services and product lines.
Analytic result driven connector. Works with the soul of organisations. Keen to push innovation with focussed impact. Other roles: corporate commercial lawyer, board member, entrepreneur, speaker, mentor.
Stephen Mangham
Master
Stephen is a proven executive and entrepreneur who specialises in helping businesses define and articulate their value. He combines strategic vision with a deep knowledge of marketing and communications, business development and culture to guide profound change journeys in large and small organisations.
Stephen has advised corporates and start-ups in just about every business category in Western and Eastern Europe and Asia. He chaired the largest brand communications group in Southeast Asia before setting up his own business, which was subsequently sold to the Japanese owned Dentsu Group.
Stephen teaches Marketing for Entrepreneurs at EDHEC Business School, and is an active shareholder in a video content platform company.
Marc Mogalle
Master
Marc studied economics at the University of St. Gallen and completed a doctorate in Sustainable Development at the University of Oldenbourg and the ETH Zurich.
Marc has ten years of experience as a venture capitalist and worked for innotech VC, Finlab AG and AIG Sustainable Investment Group. He was involved in several investments, IPOs, trade sales, and fund investments, e.g., RTT AG (acquired by Dassault Systèms) and blau.de (acquired by KPN).
In 2011, Marc co-founded Zapitano, a social TV platform. Besides that, Marc acted as Venture Partner for Finlab AG and Heliad Equity Partners and was a lecturer at the University of St. Gallen and TU Berlin.
In 2014, Marc founded Business Buddies GmbH, which supports young founders in their set-up, strategy development and financing. He is also vice-chairman of the Supervisory Board at SleepZ AG and runs the Berlin Alumni chapter of the University of St. Gallen.
Mark Mol
Master
Mark is a senior leader with a strong international focus and experience in a business-to-business environment. He has 25+ years of experience in Maritime & Port logistics, Energy (Oil & Gas), Chemicals and Bio-Fuels markets.
Throughout his career, he has gained extensive experience in negotiating and developing complex deals and partnerships, in an international environment, dealing with many different cultures. He is a resilient and open negotiator. His firm belief is that everyone involved should be able to capture value from the deal.
After having worked for large multinational companies over the last 26 years, he is now focused on working with young innovative companies, helping them to seek capital and accelerate growth, capitalizing on his experience and network.
Frank van Os
Master
Frank is an entrepreneurial innovator, business developer and growth expert with 30+ years of experience in international logistics, eCommerce, post & parcel and last mile delivery. In 2016 he co-founded Smartmile and build it to an international scale-up for sustainable urban delivery. Earlier he held senior corporate positions and established a number of corporate ventures.
Holding a MSc in mechanical engineering from Delft Technical University, Frank speaks both technology and business. He has a track record in developing sustainable growth strategies and building value through innovation, technology, people and partnerships.
Frank loves to put his expertise, experience and network to helping startups and scale-ups grow. Starting from a holistic view he supports in fields such as growth strategy, business-, product- and market development, funding, team and partnerships.
Joris Peucheret
Master
Joris partners with innovative companies to build transformative and resilient business growth. He has over 15 years of experience growing start-ups, scale ups and large businesses. He has worked in and advised leading brands at various stages of their journey to align teams, solve problems and seize market opportunities that deliver desired business outcomes. He has a proven track record in shaping products, building brands and high performing teams in myriad of sectors and through many business models.
As an Entrepreneur and Growth Strategy Architect his “savoir-faire” helped reach millions of customers globally generating over €400M in revenue for blue-chip companies, PE/VC backed ventures, privately-owned businesses and early-stage start-ups. He combines strategic thinking with a strong commercial acumen enabled by a full rounded marketing expertise and a client-first mindset. His passion is to help small and large organisations thrive in the global digital economy with operational excellence.
Amit Vaidya
Master
Amit is a Life Science Expert and Board Advisor. He has over forty years of pharmaceutical/life science experience as a senior executive of which more than 20 years at AstraZeneca across the UK, Global, Europe and Middle East Africa Region.
Since 2009, he has advised top 20 global pharma on their international business helping them on scaleup and expanding into new markets with new Go-to-Market models, designing efficient distribution models and business strategy including pricing and market access goals.
He is based in the UK and currently working with Life Science SMEs to help them with expert guidance in three core areas: Early-stage assessment of the asset for commercial viability for investors and scientists, asset development to commercial exit points – pitch deck preparation for successive rounds of funding, identifying target partners for exit and negotiating exit deals, scale-up in the domestic market and international expansion models.
Frank Visciano
Master
Frank is a seasoned startup leader with more than 15 years of experience across multiple functions, including operations, marketing, international expansion, product, strategy, business development, and finance. As an executive at the ed-tech marketplace Udemy, he helped scale the business from product-market fit to over 700 employees delivering several hundred million in revenue across 190 countries.
Frank currently advises early stage (B2C and B2B) companies, helping them scale product-market fit across all facets of the business. He works across industries, with a specialization on topics such as go-to-market strategy (marketplace dynamics, supply strategy), international expansion (market selection, sequencing, staging), and organizational development (leadership coaching, org design).
Tom Vroemen
Master
After some 5 years of corporate career, Tom became one of the early Fintech pioneers when he founded CrowdAboutNow, creating a category of crowd-investment companies in 2010. After that Tom was a founder of BuzzMaster and Ripple Yachts.
After the 3 exits, he went on to focus on helping deeptech and climate tech companies, notably in clean aviation. He specifically specialised in strategising companies that have a long time to market and that cope with high uncertainty.
Tom holds degrees in Mechanical engineering and Economics, as well as an MBA from HEC Paris. He is an active investor, serves on several government and corporate investment boards and is a mentor at several European incubation programs.
Marc Wullings
Master
Marc is an experienced business manager specialised in (international) go-to-market strategy and execution. After a career in enterprise sales in ICT, he specialised in tech companies in the Benelux and Nordic markets.
Over the last 10 years, Marc worked with over 80 growth companies in the region on implementing growth strategies in new markets and domains. As trainer he has worked with hundreds of startups at various accelerators across Europe, where he is known for a hands-on, positive and challenging approach, drawing from a solid experience.
Amit Vaidya
Master
Amit is a Life Science Expert and Board Advisor. He has over forty years of pharmaceutical/life science experience as a senior executive of which more than 20 years at AstraZeneca across the UK, Global, Europe and Middle East Africa Region.
Since 2009, he has advised top 20 global pharma on their international business helping them on scaleup and expanding into new markets with new Go-to-Market models, designing efficient distribution models and business strategy including pricing and market access goals.
He is based in the UK and currently working with Life Science SMEs to help them with expert guidance in three core areas: Early-stage assessment of the asset for commercial viability for investors and scientists, asset development to commercial exit points – pitch deck preparation for successive rounds of funding, identifying target partners for exit and negotiating exit deals, scale-up in the domestic market and international expansion models.