Event - CEO & Founder Summit - October 2024

Speaker biographies

Wolter Smit CEO, TopDesk

Wolter Smit is the co-founder and CEO of TOPdesk, a globally recognized software company specializing in service management solutions. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Smit's entrepreneurial journey began in 1993 when he co-founded TOPdesk with the vision of improving customer service and operational efficiency through innovative software.
Under his leadership, TOPdesk has grown from a small startup into an international company with over 900 employees and offices in multiple countries, serving more than 5,000 organizations worldwide. Known for his commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture and his forward-thinking approach to business, Smit has been instrumental in establishing TOPdesk as a leader in the service management industry.
His dedication to quality and customer satisfaction continues to drive the company's success and influence in the market.

In December 2023, TOPdesk has entered into a partnership with CVC Capital Partners (CVC). CVC Growth Funds has acquired a minority stake in TOPdesk with an investment of approximately 200 million euros to accelerate the company's growth and further development.
 

Sanne Manders President, Flexport

Sanne Manders is the President at Flexport, a global logistics and freight forwarding company known for its innovative use of technology to optimize supply chains. With a background in strategic consulting and a strong focus on logistics and supply chain management, Manders joined Flexport in 2014 and has played a crucial role in its rapid growth.

Under his leadership, Flexport ha s expanded to over 2,500 employees worldwide and has become a billion-dollar enterprise. Manders' strategic insights and operational expertise continue to drive Flexport's success, pioneering advancements in the logistics industry and delivering exceptional value to clients through efficient and reliable supply chain solutions. Flexport has raised a total funding of $2.5B over 10 rounds.
 

Stijn Christiaens CTO Collibra

Stijn Christiaens is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Collibra, a pioneering data intelligence company founded in 2008. With a background in computer science and artificial intelligence, Stijn cofounded Collibra to revolutionize data governance and management practices within enterprises.

Under his technical stewardship, Collibra has experienced significant growth, boasting a global presence with over 700 employees and serving more than 1k organizations worldwide. The company has raised over $550 million in funding across several rounds, underscoring its position as a leader in the data governance industry. Collibra's robust platform enables organizations to harness the power of their data effectively, driving informed decision-making and regulatory compliance. Stijn's innovative contributions continue to shape Collibra's evolution, reinforcing its commitment to empowering datadriven enterprises globally.
 

Perry Oostdam co-founder of Recruitee

Perry Oostdam is the co-founder of Recruitee, a leading recruitment software platform established in 2015. Under Perry's leadership as CEO, Recruitee has grown significantly, employing over 150 people globally and serving thousands of companies across more than 100 countries. The company has raised significant funding through various rounds, enabling continuous innovation and expansion of its userfriendly hiring solutions. Perry's entrepreneurial drive and commitment to transforming the recruitment process have positioned Recruitee as a trusted leader in HR technology, dedicated to simplifying hiring for organizations worldwide. Recruitee has been acquired by PSG in 2021.
 

Quintin Schrevels former CEO of Funda, angel investor (e.g. Billy Grace)

Quintin Schevernels is a prominent figure in the technology and startup ecosystem, known for his strategic insights and leadership. With a background in entrepreneurship and business development, Quintin has held various executive roles, including CEO of Funda, the largest real estate platform in the Netherlands. He is also an experienced investor and advisor to several high-growth companies. Quintin's expertise spans across digital transformation, innovation strategy, and scaling businesses globally. His contributions to the tech industry and entrepreneurial community continue to influence and inspire new generations of leaders.
 

Dr. Markus Schweier Business leader Gen AI & ML at AWS

Dr. Markus Schweier is a distinguished business leader at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he spearheads the General Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) and Machine Learning (ML) initiatives. With a robust background in technology and innovation, Markus brings extensive experience in advancing AI and ML solutions to empower enterprises globally. His strategic vision and deep understanding of cloud computing and data analytics have been instrumental in driving AWS's leadership in AI and ML services. Dr. Markus Schweier's leadership continues to shape the future of AI-driven technologies, enabling businesses to harness the full potential of machine learning for transformative outcomes.
 

Giorgio Fouarge Inspirational speaker, first man to cross the world on a Wooden Bike

Giorgio Fouarge is renowned as an inspirational speaker and adventurer, famously known as the first man to cross the world on a wooden bike. His journey captivated global attention, symbolizing resilience, innovation, and a deep connection with sustainability. Giorgio's pioneering spirit and commitment to eco-friendly travel have inspired audiences worldwide, advocating for environmental consciousness and pushing the boundaries of traditional exploration. As an acclaimed speaker, he shares his experiences, emphasizing the power of determination and the importance of sustainable practices in shaping a better future for generations to come.
 

Bob van Luijt Technology entrepreneur, technologist, and new media artist

Bob van Luijt is a technology entrepreneur, technologist, and new media artist from the Netherlands. He is the co-founder of Weaviate and the chairman of the Creative Software Foundation. In March 2016 Van Luijt started the open source vector search engine Weaviate. He has published and lectured about (open-source) software business models and the positioning of broadly applicable infrastructure software (e.g., databases and search engines). During a presentation for TEDxUniversiteitVanAmsterdam he shared his ideas about how the evolvement of language impacts ideas in software development.