First Moves

Discover the often untold story behind closing a business with Stijn Willemse, founder of DIS-ORDER. In this episode, Stijn shares the journey of deciding to shut down a company that ran for three impactful years. Gain insight into how closing one door can open new opportunities and reshape a founder’s perspective for future endeavours.

What does it take for a business to secure meaningful support from a bank? John Janssen of Rabobank’s Business Innovation Team Limburg shares how he guides companies in sustainability and healthcare, revealing what banks look for in a business and how founders can boost their chances of success. From insights into crafting a compelling business case to navigating lending requirements, John unpacks the secrets to building a strong foundation for growth and lasting impact.

Explore the parallels between American football and business with Bart Hendriks, head coach of the national championship winning Maastricht Wildcats. Bart shares insights into cultivating team culture, respecting individual strengths, and instilling values that drive success on and off the field.

Anirudh Rajesh, Co-founder and CEO of Aestuarium, is pioneering a solution to the global water scarcity crisis. By using genetically modified bacteria, his start-up makes desalinating seawater 5x more efficient and far more cost-effective than traditional methods. In this episode, we dive into Anirudh’s journey—from his passion for genetics to building a company that could help transform access to clean water for billions around the world.

In this episode, we chat with Alexandre Martens, co-founder of Clipstake, a groundbreaking platform that allows fans to invest in their favorite content creators and share in the success of their ad revenue. Alexandre shares his journey from a childhood love of building to launching an innovative company that connects creators with their audiences in new ways. Tune in to hear his thoughts on the education system, his experience as a first mover, and his vision for the future of content creation.

In this episode, we sit down with Olga Kosjakova from Recharging the Batteries to explore how their groundbreaking work is testing the use of stem cell treatments to help cure a certain form of blindness. Olga also shares her unique blend of passions as both an artist and a scientist and how her drive to create and learn keeps her motivated. Join us for a fascinating discussion about the intersection of art, science, and entrepreneurship.

In this episode, we delve into the world of social entrepreneurship with Abel Diaz Gonzalez, Assistant Professor at Maastricht University. Abel discusses the importance of social entrepreneurship, the role of ecosystems in supporting these ventures, and the challenges faced by social entrepreneurs. Learn how his experiences across Latin America and a million euro project he started have shaped his views on using business as a force for good.

Discover how irritation sparked innovation for Sebastian Nyrup, founder of Unshackled. In this episode, Sebastian discusses building a value-driven team, navigating the rollercoaster of starting a business, and redefining success through experience. Learn how social media skews our perceptions and how he’s trying to build a business for long-term fulfillment.

Join us as we explore how Marta Pareja Boto, founder of Appipen, combines a personal drive for impact and her powerful support network to start and grow her various projects. Marta discusses the vital role of support systems (both formal and informal), her journey as a finalist in the Maastricht University Challenge, and innovative problem-solving in entrepreneurship.

Join us in this episode as we chat with Giuseppe di Rosa, the founder of Sicilery, about his journey of bringing authentic Sicilian street food to the Netherlands. Giuseppe shares his story of starting in Maastricht, expanding rapidly, and his vision for making Sicilery an intercontinental food brand. We speak about juggling different responsibilities, overcoming obstacles, and shaping our definition of success.