We would like to sincerely apologize for not getting back to you earlier about the change of command at the Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO).
After being at the NBSO helm for over four years, Ella van Gool found a new challenge at one of the world’s most reputable law firms; DLA Piper. www.dlapiper.com
She will work for the Venture Pipeline Group; a business unit of DLA Piper, specifically focusing on assisting entrepreneurs establish, and enhance, the funding prospects of their early stage ventures. Providing quality deal flow to the venture capital community is part of that commitment.
We’d like to thank Ella for her tireless efforts to bring the NBSO to the next level, and indeed her success as such. Finding a successor was the goal she set before announcing her resignation, and as such Peter Laanen started March 1st this year. Peter was hired late last year by Ella, securing continuity for NBSO’s activities.
Given the work on his plate, it took a while before giving the web site the attention it should have.
A selection of events we handled since March:
We hosted the ICT Kring Delft at Ex’pression College for Digital Arts, Emeryville.
"Peter Laanen showing them the way to the top."
We visited the Santa Clara University with the Dutch Rising Stars (very talented start up and start through companies), organized by Handelsroute.nl www.handelsroute.nl
We also visited YouTube, San Bruno, always a pleasure for young entrepreneurs! www.youtube.com
We organized a Dutch Business Breakfast for the Rising Stars at Plug and Play, www.plugandplaytechcenter.com in Sunnyvale, where they performed their elevator pitch for an audience with VC’s, fellow entrepreneurs and professional service providers.
"Bart Driessen, Zinnebeeld, working his elevator speech."
"Ella van Gool, DLA Piper, and Christel van der Boom, AR Edelman, pay full attention."
We participated in the seminar “Global California – online with the world” in Sacramento, organized by Monterey Bay International Trade Association, where we also had a booth. www.mbtia.com
Then, Holland’s most famous Radio station “Veronica” came in (also former TV station), that started as a Pirate station in the North Sea but now is legitimate with a fantastic background. Their focus points were intellectual property, High Definition, Social networks and, of course, sound!
So, we visited Duane Morris, San Francisco, www.duanemorris.com where top lawyer Eric Sinrod informed them about the nuts and bolts of IP. Next up KTVU/Fox Channel2 in Oakland, www.ktvu.com where a studio tour was organized, including a presentation of their top managers, all under supervision of Jim Haman, Director of Broadcast Operations.
"Eric Sinrod of Duane Morris got the full attention of the audience with his interesting presentation."
"Jim Haman tells enthusiastically to "Veronica" about KTVU Fox 2."
We finished the day with a presentation in San Francisco by Dave Toole, renowned entrepreneur, regarding social networks and one of his new babies; “bid4vid”. www.outhink.com
Friday the 30th kicked off with Mikey Kelly’s presentation of the landscape of the Bay Area TV world, dating back to the forties.
Onward to Meyer Sound in Berkeley www.meyersound.com where John and Helen Meyer built their sound empire, employing 350 employees in four countries. Wizard John dazzled his audience with his magic, and the demonstration of Master and Commander (remember Russell Crowe?) uplifted by the Meyer sound team, gave us explosions that really rocked us, then we were soothed by the sound of flowing water.
"John Meyer knows how to keep attention with his interesting presentation about Meyersound."
The last visit was paid to California’s top school in entertainment; Ex’pression College for Digital Arts in Emeryville www.expression.edu (just around the block from Pixar). Multimedia galore, and a fitting end of the trip. Nothing more satisfying than happy students.
Fun huh?! But, we also did a ton of work for aspiring Dutch companies, willing to make a jump to the Valley. The name of the game then is market scans, or trying to find out whether it is a good idea to make the jump to California. And, of course, the individual one-on-one meetings.
On a personal note Peter Laanen would like to thank all the individuals and companies that make this all happen and thus create a network that benefits all participants. And we have fun in the meantime, too!