Twan Smetsers

Smart capital in times of corona

14:30 – 15:00

Many successful innovative start-ups have emerged from periods of crisis. However, the old adage ‘cash is king’ has never been more pertinent for early stage businesses than now. The impact of availability of funding sources both public and private is crucial.

The corona pandemic represents one of the greatest economic challenges to businesses worldwide since the 2008 financial crisis. This applies particularly to early stage technology businesses who, even in boom times, typically fight an ongoing battle to manage cash flow and survive from month to month. How can these times of crisis become an opportunity for entrepreneurs and what changes are available in public and private funding?

Twan Smetsers, managing partner at ScaleUp Capital, is an investor, entrepreneur and advisor to scale up entrepreneurs in the tech arena. From the High Tech Campus Eindhoven, ScaleUp Capital has built up a national position and track record in linking smart capital to entrepreneurs in various growth phases. Smetsers combines more than 25 years of managerial experience with a study electronics and a master in marketing strategy (RUG). He has a strong pioneering spirit, which always offers him and his customers and relations new, unexpected opportunities.