On Friday, July 9, the fifth annual ABN Amro Summerschool came to a close. After a week of intense preparation that included coaching on business plans and elevator pitches, the winner and runner-ups were announced in the national finals held at the Dialogues House of ABN Amro’s Amsterdam offices.
| Eight teams competed for a finalist position, including: |
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ACE: VU Amsterdam, UvA, Hogeschool InHolland, Hogeschool Amsterdam
HOPE: TU Delft, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, Universiteit Leiden
Saxion Hogescholen
Universiteit van Tilburg
Maastricht Centre of Entrepreneurship
Universiteit Utrecht
Fontys Hogescholen
Stenden Hogeschool |
The winner of the competition, Martijn van Dueren den Hollander, from Team Saxion (Enschede campus), was announced by ABN AMRO CEO Gerrit Zalm. His idea, Perspective Illusions, is an innovative new way to advertise: 3-D promotional videos projected on buildings. The idea won him a Business Startup Account, EUR 5,000 and a year of support from ABN AMRO experts.
In second place was Robert Ohm from Team Maastricht with his coat lock concept. The HOPE team of Guus Meijer and Kees Meershoek took third place with their idea for educational games.
One trademark of the ABN AMRO Summerschool is the wide range of business ideas that are presented every year. On one end of the spectrum was the coat lock from Maastricht, and on the other was the plan from Utrecht to create and commercialize a database of scientific taxonomies.
Another notable aspect of the Summerschool is the practical training that participants receive. This training helps them put their best foot forward during the competition (and throughout their career as entrepreneurs). One important entrepreneurial skill is the elevator pitch. The ABN Amro Summerschool brought in Edo van Santen, of Talk&Do, to give a training, which he described as getting people to be themselves.
Edo van Santen: “Some of them just wanted to tell too much, but after some intensive training, they were able to give very good pitches.”
Van Santen said he gets energy and pride from watching people develop their skills.
Marieke Andriesse, of New Venture, added that she was impressed with many of the pitches.
In addition to training sessions, participants also listened to inspirational speakers. Abderrazak Moussi, a participant who described his idea as a “futuristic kitchen device,” said the speakers were amazing. Of the entire Summerschool event, Moussi said he had learned so much in so little time.
Alexandra Gevers has been hosting the ABN Amro Summerschool since it began five years ago, and said she strongly believes in innovation and entrepreneurship.
“I love hearing the crazy, creative ideas,” said Gevers.
If you’re interested in presenting your crazy, creative idea at next year’s Summerschool, keep an eye out for an invitation to join next spring. You can find updates on Getstarted.nl or by checking the website of ABN AMRO.
