PRESS RELEASE
Belgian accelerator Gumption launches in the Netherlands
Utrecht, 22 June 2016 – The entrepreneurs platform Gumption is launching its accelerator model in the
Netherlands. Gumption supports digital start-ups and early-stagers to achieve sustainable growth
more quickly. It combines the passion of the entrepreneur with the strength of collective action.
Gumption makes the difference by actively controlling co-creation and cross-fertilization between
affiliated firms. The new Dutch office is based in Utrecht.
In Belgium and Luxembourg, Gumption has successfully nurtured 14 start-ups to maturity in the space of
four years. Group turnover in 2015 was 20 million euro. Gumption, with its headquarters in Kontich near
Antwerp, invests directly in the companies of its entrepreneurs platform, by offering them financial,
strategic and operational support. So they can focus on what really matters: their people, customers,
services and solutions.
New ecosystems
"People regard start-ups and small firms in a different way
nowadays than ten years ago" says Marcel van Buren, Managing
Partner of Gumption Netherlands. "Big seems to be hard to
reconcile with innovative, proactive, customer-focused, flexible and
transparent. Today, new ecosystems are being created in which
small organizations make the difference. If you combine their
knowledge and skills, then you get collaborations, earnings models
and solutions that really surprise clients. Creating these
combinations is, in essence, what Gumption does."
Asset-based consulting
“We are firm believers in asset-based consulting: consulting
Marcel van Buren, Managing
supplemented with tools, solutions and best practices which helps
Partner, Gumption Nederland
clients forge ahead faster", says Van Buren. "With innovation labs,
an ambassador club and clinics, we encourage idea formation that breaks down silo mentalities and
addresses clients' business challenges. We bring together complementary expertise from specialists in
our group and on the part of clients in co-creation pathways. Our companies are located together on a
single campus. That inspires and stimulates cooperation. That cross-fertilization is what sets Gumption
apart from other incubators and accelerators."
Co-creation
Various projects provide that Gumption's co-creation philosophy works. Marcel van Buren cites
examples. "A start-up of digital marketing experts and a recruitment specialist are building a groundbreaking employer branding platform in the cloud. An expert in cognitive computing and machine
Gumption Nederland | Papendorpseweg 99, 3528 BJ Utrecht, The Netherlands | www.gumption.eu
learning is working with clients to produce a tool for predictive analytics. That leads to a spectacular
improvement of the forecasting for businesses including car dealers, transport firms and traders. An ecommerce integrator is bringing in a supply chain architect to assist clients: he advises them about
insourcing and outsourcing of e-fulfilment activities, and about setting up inventory management,
returns management and administrative processes. Specialists in software testing are building an open
source test platform together with a digital applications builder, which provides excellent support for
agile software development."
Growth in the Netherlands
"We believe our model will be successful here too", explains Marcel van Buren. "A number of successful
companies from the group are launching their activities in the Netherlands. In addition, we are
negotiating with innovative start-ups and young entrepreneurs who can strengthen our platform."
About Gumption – www.gumption.eu | https://www.linkedin.com/company/3329934
Gumption supports driven entrepreneurs in realising their dream: making other businesses grow by improving
processes and and efficiently implementing new digital technology. As an xcelerator, Gumption gives member
companies the space to focus on essential matters – people, customers and services – via financial, strategic and
operational support. Currently, the group counts 10 companies and 200 employees. Adopting a 360° view,
Gumption wants to be the sparring partner and source of inspiration for business and IT executives.
Contact
Marcel van Buren | [email protected] | +31 6 55 362 159
Gumption Nederland | Papendorpseweg 99, 3528 BJ Utrecht, The Netherlands | www.gumption.eu