As hybrid work becomes the norm, it is equally imperative to implement technology that promotes collaboration, innovation and employee satisfaction. As the market changes, employee expectations will move with it. More flexibility and the removal of UX obstacles are especially important. And security measures should not stand in the way of these objectives.
Scale-up Springlab: let children move more with technology
Ensuring that a generation that uses more and more technology also keeps moving. That is the starting point for Jan-Paul de Beer, CEO of Springlab. We talk to him about the growth money they need to be able to roll this out on a larger scale.
Jan-Paul, why does Springlab exist?
“Our goal is to help children get more exercise. We do this by using technology. Children are moving less and less due to digital technology. The use of that technology is also increasing rapidly in education. It has many advantages, but a physical exercise is often something that can can suffer. We combine digital education with exercise, so that children grow up healthy.”
Why are you looking for external financing right now?
“We are specifically looking for growth funds. We are a scale-up and now have momentum in the market. The demand for active learning is growing rapidly. To be able to meet the growing demand and to increase our impact, we are therefore looking for growth funds to the tune of €1.1 million. The money will be used for marketing, sales and product range expansion as well as for the first phase of internationalization.”
What would be the profile of the ideal investor?
“Ideally, it should have something to do with the education/edtech market, and with children’s health. We call it Healthy Edtech ourselves.”
Apart from a financial injection, what can you put to good use?
“We’re looking for two things: 1) someone who can help raise our profile. This can be through marketing experience, or as someone who has a large network or is well known. 2) someone with a real growth mindset, someone who has done the upscaling phase before and can help us with tips and tricks in that phase, who can protect us from certain pitfalls and help us make smart choices.”
Do you have a good tip or advice for a startup entrepreneur based on your experience with Springlab?
“I actually have two tips. Firstly: don’t wait for the world to come to you, but actively step into the world, in terms of funding, recruiting staff and customers. And secondly: work in a team of founders, so with two or three people. That ensures that you have additional characteristics and therefore a better skill set in your team.”
