
Our goal is simple. We help you as a founder with growing, scaling and lifting your business to the next level. We offer you a vast network of experienced entrepreneurs and operators to coach you, at your request.
If you have a startup, Graduate Entrepreneur can help you along the road. You can become part of our network via the network page. You will get updates on our events, activities and new investments! Your startup will also be shown in our extensive startup network.
Are you facing some challenges with your startup? The network of Graduate Entrepreneur can be of help. Apply for coaching and we will get you matched with one of our alumni to tackle all challenges!
Our experienced entrepreneurs and operators are here to support and coach you, at your request!
'If you think you have everything under control, you're going too slow. Making money first but also 'Karma Entrepreneurship'. Competition is good: believe in own strength. Business development AND Market Development.
1. Niet geschoten is altijd mis. 2. No gain without pain.
You can't control the cards you're dealt, just how you play the hand
Don't hestitate to ask everything, there are no stupid questions.
Every day that we spend not improving quality of healthcare is a wasted one.
Think big, focus on finding a balance of doing the right things and doing things right, and use your network!
Be driven by a strong belief in your company, not by making money on short term.
Think Big, Start Small, Work Hard.
Passion and curiosity is fuel for growth.
Plan for success
Dare to ask for advice!
Although the solution, service or product is impeccable, there is still a massive stakeholder field (suppliers, government, customers, process owners, and so on) to be organized and geared towards the success of the startup, initiative or organization. As a recipe for success, this is to be orchestrated robustly from the start
Start with a small team building a deep understanding of customer needs/competitive advantage. The rest is iteration/perseverance.
Become an entrepreneur because it gives you a lot of energy and you like hard work. Then success will come naturally.
Grow - your team! Stretch - no boundaries! Act - clients first!
Believe in yourself but surround yourself with people to compensate for your weaknesses.
Chill when things do not go as planned: iterations are part of creating a great product or service.
Value creation comes first Cash is king
You have to be the biggest optimist that life can be because you have to wake up every morning and say yes I can do this! But you also have to wake up every night and be scared shitless of what can go wrong.
What is the customer problem you are trying to solve?
Dare to experiment and always stay humble.
If somebody says no , what do you do?
'Ik heb het nog nooit gedaan dus ik denk dat ik het wel kan' - Pippi Langkous
It begins with passion for an idea and guts. If you possess those you go to Graduate Entrepreneur!
1. Get the right people on your team 2. It's all about learning fast. Make a plan, get started, learn and adapt. 3. Customers, customers, customers!
Take advise but make your own decisions
Dare to scale-up internationally and go abroad yourself to make it happen. Take really, really good care of your customers and employees.
Gijs was also the co-founder of Greenwheels.
A business plan will, of course, never turn out the way you predicted it, but it definitely helps you and your team to make one, if only to make sure you are all aligned.
If you can’t explain your idea clearly, keep quiet, and work on it until you can!
Persist and keep going, even if your friends don't believe in your business!
Make sure you have fun and make profit.
Don't hesitate, just do it!
In medtech and life science: do not trust that a great product sells itself, focus on getting to scale early on
Set your self ambitious growth targets and build an infrastructure that can support such (international) growth. Focus, focus focus
Think carefully about your business model from day one so it remains good when you grow.
Create a plan, stay focused, but above all the difference is in the execution.
Discipline equals freedom.
A good idea is worth nothing without execution.
Make sure that in your business plan your product is not only well defined, but also think of how to sell it. Who is my client and how will I reach that client?
The world of tech is a jungle! Realize that each misstep or mistake you make is actually progress that brings you closer to your goal - keep this growth mindset and you will come very far.
Next to a good business plan a great external pitch can make the difference.
Set the bar at the front door and hire someone more capable than you are every time.
Surround yourself with diverse people, be flexible to adapt your plans and just go for it!
Everyone can be an entrepreneur, as long as you are willing to work hard for it! Like a top athlete that wants to go to the olympics.
To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.
Speed up and don’t be afraid to fail… and if you fail, do it fast, often & forward!
You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with ;-)
Be true to yourselves and others - Realize your commitments - Be daring and imaginative - Create opportunities for everybody.
Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid to miss the opportunity.
Having the right team in place is the key to success!
The only way to find a new way is to leave the beaten track.
Start today, momentum and energy is everything!
Just do it, we're there to help!
Make sure you are well informed, but make your own choices
How can I help?
Reach for your own dreams and not those of somebody else.
Invest in building a strong team with counterbalance powers and no hierarchy.
It's good to be impatient, it's even very important.
Believe in your plan, stay focussed and surround yourself with the right people (buid a team that is complementary to eachother and challenges eachother).
1. Get your first customer, quick! 2. Think big and be ready to scale 3. Create a scalable business model
You only can win if you dare to lose.
work hard and keep focus and opportunities will always arise
A very important development in Metropool Rotterdam. There is already a very good eco system but the missing link was cooperation!
It's not a sprint but a marathon or even a few marathons. You need to: visualise the race, have a great start, the right shoes, well planned nutrition support and the ability to adapt to tough times. Perseverance and agility are equally important.
Talk, talk talk to your future customers, and check your assumptions Don't hesitate to think big!
Balance passion with knowledge.
The client will notice nothing of your vision but will notice your execution!
Only start a company when you are really passionate about the subject and purpose, otherwise you will get bored. Make sure you do your homework well before making and presenting your business plan.
3 rules that invariable come up in every coaching session: (1) Focus (2) Focus and (3) Focus
Roos Damen is the Managing Director of Damen Yachting.
Let your internal vision, motivation and ambitions drive you. Be persistent, focused and don't let external circumstances hinder!
Listen to others, set your own course!
Believe. Persevere. Be creative. Succeed.
Start your business for the right reason (not money or ego) and show great co-founders leadership interaction. I love straightforward, professional, passionate and purpose-driven people, devoted to some crusade, as real team-players.
Go for what you believe in, be bold, have fun and develop yourself to your full potential!
Don't let anybody kill your dream.
Do one thing everyday that scares you.
Undertake activities that you love to do, don't get stuck in activities that cost you a lot of energy > delegate
Don't postpone. Start your own company right now, when you are still at university. Conditions will never get better. Don't wait for a great idea either, its the least important thing there is.
Rely on yourself and keep going!
Discover and stay tuned to your primary purpose!