Different approaches to fuel growth in the Dutch Tech Scene The Netherlands has an incredibly vibrant tech scene: it is ranked No. 4 on the European Innovation Scoreboard, boasts more than 10 innovation hubs, and benefits from a number of other advantages - from a 'start-up visa’ and tax incentives to and a low language barrier (90% of... Continue Reading →
Monese, the Estonian challenger bank, is adding 90,000 customers per month
For me and my fellow MBAs, the year at INSEAD opened a whole new world of fintech companies: “Can you Revolut me?” “Please send the rent deposit via Transferwise!” “I only have Monzo.” “My primary card is N26.” A student body from 79 countries and constant international travel created the need to optimise money transfers... Continue Reading →
RE-Fashion: (3) RE-MAKE
MUD Jeans We discovered MUD Jeans at the entrance of the NEONYT fair, where they were performing live demonstrations on how they easily turn an old pair of jeans into new fiber and fabric for clothing. The mission of the company is “We aim to change the fashion industry, starting with the most popular piece... Continue Reading →
RE-Fashion: (2) RE-USE
Zalando Wardrobe If there is nothing new in a sale of second-hand clothes, what differentiates Zalando Wardrobe is the technology used that promotes a shift in the customer mindset, as Torben Hansen, VP of Zalando Wardrobe, explains to us. Traditionally, second hand items have been considered “old”, “dirty” and not comparable to new items. Zalando... Continue Reading →
Digital, Gaming, Blockchain and Fashion?
Thursday last week we spent the entire day exploring Fashion Tech Conference in Berlin. It is an event solely focussing on the intersection of Tech and Fashion organised by Premium Group who is also organising the two fairs NEONYT and Premium. The conference showcased a number of new tech innovations in fashion that aim to push... Continue Reading →
RE-Fashion: (1) RE-PACK
In the first week in Berlin, team FTS explored the concept of “RE”-fashion, gathering interesting insights from the NEONYT fair, the Fashion Tech Conference and the meetings at Zalando. “RE-fashion” is a word that the team uses to indicate companies that pursue sustainability through an array of circular products/processes. Re-Pack, Re-Use and Re-make are three... Continue Reading →
APX: Acceleration and early-stage funding by Axel Springer and Porsche
‘SSUP! Team 53°N interviewed Jörg Rheinboldt, former business angel and Managing Director of Berlin-based APX – a joint venture between Axel Springer and Porsche. We met Jörg in an almost empty APX office in Berlin, that houses several of their participating start-ups. “Normally there are a lot more people here, but you come here in... Continue Reading →
Exits and Existential Problems
Entrepreneurship can be a passion, but only a select few are able to make it a sustainable profession. SaaSEAD had the pleasure of speaking with serial successful entrepreneur Yann Lechelle, now the COO of Snips https://snips.ai, a decentralized voice assistant platform that brings the convenience of voice technology without sacrificing your privacy. Private by Design... Continue Reading →
ALT FIN – Never too old to be an Entrepreneur
Team Saaseads interview with Machiel Jansen Schoonhoven from ALT FIN. ALT FIN is all about providing loans via funds and fintech platforms for corporates and SMEs. When and how did you get into the whole start-up scene “It’s never too late to start a start-up” After 30 years in Investment Banking, Machiel saw the struggles... Continue Reading →
Safari Kid: A new approach to schooling
53°N talked to Philippe Sachs Deputy-CEO of Safari Kid Philippe was living in Singapore working at Standard Chartered Bank when he realised there was no school to provide the educational experience he wanted for his young children. As an American living in the east with a Chinese wife, he felt strongly that the right kind of school could perfectly marry the... Continue Reading →
