Dec
2023
Tuesday, Dec 12, 2023
What is the key to success? Is it about talent, intelligence
or creativity – and what about your resources, like
money or a vast network? Or is it about grit: the passion
and perseverance one dedicates to reaching long-term
and meaningful goals? In Going Grit, we explore the
stories of innovators in health & high tech. We dive
into their inspirations and motivations as we try to
understand their leitmotiv. Will we get a glimpse of their
grit factor? This edition: Valerie van Zuijlen, founder of
creative innovation hub Labnest in Ede, the Netherlands.
Valerie completed several studies,
ranging from graphic design to
computer science and electrical
engineering to film science. To do
so, she travelled the world: from
Amsterdam to New York and Stanford.
“After completing multiple masters,
I thought, what’s next? I met a lot of
entrepreneurs during my time in the
United States. Back then, I already
wondered what it would be like to
create a place where so many amazing
ideas could come together, to work
on them with like-minded, young
entrepreneurs.”
To bring together the world of
science, technology and creativity,
Valerie founded Labnest. Labnest is
an innovation lab with an accelerator
program for pre-stage starters. At
Labnest, they believe in the power
of innovative start-ups that want to
change the world.
Valerie
““A start-up takes more than just a good
idea. I met so many young and talented
people, and so many of them didn’t
know what to do, just like me.” That’s
when she realised that a start-up takes
more than just a good idea. “The funny
thing is, Labnest is also still a start-up. I
went through the same journey as the
start-ups we are now mentoring. You
need legal advice, strategic thinking,
marketing branding, business coaches,
prototyping, and the list goes on.
That’s why I founded Labnest two
years ago in Ede. We started with four
start-ups, and they went from idea to
business within nine months. After the
summer, we will begin the journey of
three new start-ups.”
One of the goals is to give people an
idea of how to successfully start a
company. “We want to be a stepping
stone. We try to find partnerships and
let new companies cooperate. I’ve had
some meetings with the government
to make the Netherlands a beer
place for start-ups. Funding is the
biggest issue, and we try to make that
happen by making it more regular and
accessible. From our offices in Ede, we
try to find companies or people that
want to invest in these start-ups.”
Never give up
Valerie believes that if you really want
something, you should go for it. You
shouldn’t give up! “Even if you’ve
heard a thousand no’s, you might
get a yes next time. It’s like a rush of
adrenaline when it works out.”
Another thing that immensely inspires
Valerie is being surrounded by startups.
“Everyone is trying to help each
other with their network. You know
exactly what the others are dealing
with. You need the drive of wanting
to succeed. You need to be all in.
Whenever you are successful, it gives
you the energy to keep going.”
Valerie adds that knowing what you
want to achieve is essential. A longterm and a short-term goal. And both
goals need to be adjusted occasionally.
“A period like the summer gives me
some perspective of what I want
and need for my personal goals and
my start-up Labnest. These are two
separate things, but I need to make
sure I maintain my focus on both
goals.”
Don’t be afraid
Valerie says a helicopter view is
very important for a start-up. “A
lot is happening: ideas, strategies,
maintaining your network and socials,
financial and legal issues, and so on.
You’ve got to keep up with everything,
but you also need to be able to see
what’s important and what’s less
important. Focus is key! To keep that
focus, you need to look at it from a
distance.”
As a start-up, Labnest too gets feedback
from other start-ups. Valerie’s advice:
“Listen closely and use feedback like
that.” And finally, she has a tip: “Don’t
be afraid and start your start-up! Dare
to be brave. It might look scary, but we
need changemakers. We can make a
difference!”