We don’t create unicorns;

we breed Blue Whales

Our History

In 2009, Maarten van Kroonenburg stepped into the music industry with big dreams, only to discover that the available contracts benefited labels far more than artists. This turning point caused him to start his own music venture, pushing him into the startup world. There, he gained invaluable insights from the common challenges startups face. 

By 2016, armed with a mixture of formal education, experience and a deeper understanding, Maarten created BW Ventures, this time with the mission to transform the approach to innovation and provide a platform for small companies to carve out their own niches, rather than being viewed as smaller versions of large corporations. Yet, even the most innovative ideas and businesses encountered obstacles at the sales phase. That's when Frank Lautenschutz came into the picture, a sales expert with experience at renowned companies like ING, Cisco, Salesforce, and a background in startups. 

Frank's expertise in sales and his data-driven mindset were a good combination with Maarten’s vision. Together, they have transformed BW Ventures into a force, overseeing more than 100 projects to completion. Motivated by Maarten’s journey through highs and lows and Frank’s understanding of sales dynamics, BW Ventures exemplifies the belief that innovation success is driven by strategy and a willingness to experiment. 

At BW Ventures, ourfocus extends beyond the present towards building businesses capable of sustained growth, supported by solid data and data-driven insights

We make a difference

These things set us apart.

Accepting change energizes us. We're experts at navigating transitions and we know how to guide you through them. Adjustments aren't seen as obstacles but as opportunities for growth and learning.

Practicing Adaptability

We are flexible, moving easily and with determination through challenges. Our approach is to stay flexible, persistently seeking out the issues that need solving.

Agility in Action

Keeping focus during the validation process is important. We remain observant and ensure that you do too, sharpening your strategy and execution. This concentration helps us to identify and pursue the most valuable opportunities, understand the mechanics of your business and figure out how to commercialize it rapidly.

Consistent Focus

Inspired by Giants

At BW, the initials stand for "Blue Whale", a creature remarkable not just for its size but for its impressive growth rate- up to 90 kilograms a day within the first 200 days (about 6 and a half months). This symbol of extreme and sustained growth outlines our driving force.
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Our philosophy stands in stark contrast to the notion of "unicorns," both as mythical creatures and as companies that seem almost magically poised for rapid but often unsustainable growth. The goal of becoming a "unicorn" company is frequently a mirage, much like the creature itself. Consequently, we emphasize that "We don't create unicorns; we breed Blue Whales." For us, growth needs to be planned, nurtured, and promoted through careful strategy, rather than relying on mystical or unsupported wishes. Innovation, to us, isn't just about the latest technology; it's about how quickly you can adapt to changing environments.

To keep pace with the ever-evolving market, we blend innovative accounting and growth marketing with agile development and customer development strategies. We've discovered that true innovation—and identifying issues that matter—requires the freedom to experiment.Our belief in the power of customer feedback, agile methodologies, and experimentation is firm. Yet, we also recognize that structured processes are the pillar of any successful venture. It's this combination of flexibility and discipline that defines our approach to growth and innovation.

Do we want to stay ahead of the competition? Sure!Do we want to stay ahead of the competition? Sure!Do we want to stay ahead of the competition? Sure!
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Our team

Our team at BW Ventures consists of experienced sales, marketing and customer experience specialists. This lets us deliver well-tested sales, marketing and operational roadmaps that deliver results. To help you create commercially successful innovations we provide the following services.

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Maarten van Kroonenburg

CEO // Founder
Meet the mastermind behind our innovation: a visionary thinker. Chosen to be book-smart yet stands out as an exceptional listener, adept at precisely assessing the viability of ideas. Through his lead we're not just creating but innovating with purpose and potential.
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Maarten van Kroonenburg
CEO // Founder
Meet the mastermind behind our innovation: a visionary thinker. Chosen to be book-smart yet stands out as an exceptional listener, adept at precisely assessing the viability of ideas. Through his lead we're not just creating but innovating with purpose and potential.
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Wouter van den Dries

Operations Manager
A master of processes and an operations maestro, he's the versatile Jack-of-all-trades guiding the daily operations of BW Ventures. With his know-how, we go through our tasks with ease, efficiency and flexibility at every corner.
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Wouter van den Dries
Operations Manager
A master of processes and an operations maestro, he's the versatile Jack-of-all-trades guiding the daily operations of BW Ventures. With his know-how, we go through our tasks with ease, efficiency and flexibility at every corner.
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Jasper Warmenhoven

Strategic Innovation Consultant
Defined by his drive for change and growth, he really brings innovative strategies to life. A leader in team management, he ensures that every experiment is carefully designed, executed, and analyzed. He personifies innovation, facing every challenge with a commitment to overcome obstacles through detailed analysis and experimentation.
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Jasper Warmenhoven
Strategic Innovation Consultant
Defined by his drive for change and growth, he really brings innovative strategies to life. A leader in team management, he ensures that every experiment is carefully designed, executed, and analyzed. He personifies innovation, facing every challenge with a commitment to overcome obstacles through detailed analysis and experimentation.
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Frank Lautenschutz

Sales Specialist
Raised in the fast-paced world of global sales and refined by the startup scene, he's the perfect mix of seasoned pro and innovator. Driven by constant passion and always thinking a step ahead, he has sharpened his skills across Sales, Partner Management, and Technology. He shows a commitment to excellence and a proactive approach to helping our clients.
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Frank Lautenschutz
Sales Specialist
Raised in the fast-paced world of global sales and refined by the startup scene, he's the perfect mix of seasoned pro and innovator. Driven by constant passion and always thinking a step ahead, he has sharpened his skills across Sales, Partner Management, and Technology. He shows a commitment to excellence and a proactive approach to helping our clients.
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Ivar Moberts

Strategic Innovation Consultant
He is our go-to guy for all things structure, with a background in the public sector. Ivar's the kind of team player everyone wishes they had, always ready to push the team forward with his well-thought-out strategies for innovation. Combining experience with strong teamwork skills, he is the key driver behind turning big dreams into significant realities.
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Ivar Moberts
Strategic Innovation Consultant
He is our go-to guy for all things structure, with a background in the public sector. Ivar's the kind of team player everyone wishes they had, always ready to push the team forward with his well-thought-out strategies for innovation. Combining experience with strong teamwork skills, he is the key driver behind turning big dreams into significant realities.
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Laura Lozano Montalvo

Chief of Staff
She's part advisor, part fixer, and all-around planner. She's all about keeping an eye on the big picture while getting the details right, ensuring everything aligns with the company’s vision. She keeps the big ideas and day-to-day operations glued together, helping our team to maximize their impact and efficiency.
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Laura Lozano Montalvo
Chief of Staff
She's part advisor, part fixer, and all-around planner. She's all about keeping an eye on the big picture while getting the details right, ensuring everything aligns with the company’s vision. She keeps the big ideas and day-to-day operations glued together, helping our team to maximize their impact and efficiency.
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Julian Vegt

Validator & Sales Development Specialist
An expert of digital entrepreneurship, he promotes the power of A/B testing and offers a unique, innovative approach to sales and marketing. His love for trying new things and thinking outside the box really makes him stand out in the world of digital business.
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Julian Vegt
Validator & Sales Development Specialist
An expert of digital entrepreneurship, he promotes the power of A/B testing and offers a unique, innovative approach to sales and marketing. His love for trying new things and thinking outside the box really makes him stand out in the world of digital business.
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Our advisory board

Supporting our team and founder, our advisory board provides their skill and expertise to drive BW Ventures forward.

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Daan Bemelmans

Advisor
He is an expert on achieving growth through great partnerships. Skilled in business development, stakeholder management and innovation, he knows how to excite people and employ the power of collaboration to unlock everyones full potential.
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Bert-Jaap Brons

Advisor & CEO of Peregrine Capital Partners
With an impressive career, he pushes entrepreneurship and innovation by bringing together diverse cultures. Though a tough critic, he is a true team player, prepared to engage hands-on when needed. With a wealth of experience, he offers wisdom and guidance whenever it is called for.
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Thijs Visscher

Advisor
His expertise on financial analysis, strategic planning, and customer engagement is invaluable in guiding our organization towards success. He is talented at uncovering and leveraging new business opportunities, enhancing BW Ventures' competitive position through strategic partnerships and strong stakeholder relationships.
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