Building the Dream

Leopold van Oosten
Building the Dream

Rome was not built in a day, and neither are successful tech scale-ups. Join us on a captivating journey as we delve into the personal stories of 12 Dutch Tech Titans who transformed their tech startups into industry giants.In "Building the Dream," we take you on an exploration of their remarkable journeys, filled with challenges, triumphs, and life-changing experiences. These tech pioneers share their intimate stories and insights into the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship. Who are these extraordinary individuals, and what valuable lessons do they have to offer?Get ready to be inspired by the real-life stories of resilience, vision, and determination in the world of Dutch tech entrepreneurship.Host of the podcast: Leopold van Oosten, CEO & founder of Amsterdam Standard.

Épisodes

  1. Vision to Victory

    28 MAI

    Vision to Victory

    Michel did everything to nurture his start-up for > 5 years before it could pay him a first salary.  Another 7 years later (+- 3 million ARR, + 175 clients and +-3,8 million end users) he did a massive textbook exit. No external startup capitalNo sales & marketingPure focus on building the best productAnd waiting for the momentum…Listen to my latest podcast with Michel Visser, the co-founder of Eesysoft (now Instructure). We talked about his career full of commercial roles that led to the foundation of his first compant Eesysoft together with his partner Jan; how they built that and sold it to a strategic buyer (Instructure) in the middle of the Covid crisis when their business skyrocketed. His time in Purmerend & BarcelonaHow to use your “golden handshake bonus” from your last job to start a businessTaking a job next to your startup to give it time to growWaiting for the momentum to scaleHow to build a great company cultureBeing ghosted during an exit processHow Covid helped Eesysoft to grow and bring exit opportunitiesHow life changed after exitingHis new AI adventures!His biggest failure and best advices (hint; don’t invest in boats)And much more!Eesysoft is a wonderful example of a company that has grown quietly, has made a few small pivots by carefully looking at the needs in the market and has managed to take action at the right time.  And all in a very pleasant and controlled way. For me, Michel has always been the epitome of control itself.  Much respect for these achievements; and I am very curious to see how Michel's comeback in Edtech will turn out during the current AI revolution. Thanks so much Michel for your time and a highly interesting conversation!

    1 h 1 min
  2. Growing Diamonds

    14 MAI

    Growing Diamonds

    Ever wondered what those VC’s, business angels or Private Equity guys are looking for and how they operate? Then listen to my latest podcast with Frank Appeldoorn, managing partner at Arches Capital. Arches Capital is a fast growing group of business angels that is bridging the gap between Venture Capitalist (VCs) and Business Angels, by joining the best of both worlds What an honor to steal some of his time and learn more about the dynamics of such financing companies! We talked about his career that led to the foundation of Arches Capital, an initially completely bootstrapped company that is building up a pretty successful portfolio of fast growing b2b tech businesses using a deal-by-deal setup. Recently they announced another 20 million fund. His motivation to start this businessWhy he feels more like a psychologist and coach than a financial expertWhat exactly they are looking for in potential founding teamsHow to scout a great new dealHow the selection process worksHow to build a reputation in the marketThe biggest challenges that startups faceHis thoughts on the current economyHis biggest mistakesFinding a balance between family and growing the businessBooks that inspired himAnd much more!Thanks for providing a little more insight into how investors like Arches work. In this series of podcasts, almost every founder that I talked with - at some point in their growth - found reinforcement on the capital market and almost every day I speak to entrepreneurs who are still looking for funding. Focusing on a good product and great traction is one thing; but playing the financial game well remains challenging for many; especially in the first years of a startup! Investors like Arches Capital are truely vital for a healthy tech ecosystem. Thanks so much Frank for your time and a highly interesting conversation!  Link to Frank’s book recommendations for startups: Check them here!

    1 h 20 min

À propos

Rome was not built in a day, and neither are successful tech scale-ups. Join us on a captivating journey as we delve into the personal stories of 12 Dutch Tech Titans who transformed their tech startups into industry giants.In "Building the Dream," we take you on an exploration of their remarkable journeys, filled with challenges, triumphs, and life-changing experiences. These tech pioneers share their intimate stories and insights into the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship. Who are these extraordinary individuals, and what valuable lessons do they have to offer?Get ready to be inspired by the real-life stories of resilience, vision, and determination in the world of Dutch tech entrepreneurship.Host of the podcast: Leopold van Oosten, CEO & founder of Amsterdam Standard.

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