esi: Who are you, what do you do and what makes you an expert on your start-upcountry?
Vincent: My name is Vincent Wegener and I recently co-founded the RDM Makerspace in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. RDM Makerspace is like a gym for makers. In a gym you pay a monthly fee to use expensive machines, you could not afford on your own. We do the same for makers – for a monthly fee you get access to our 3D Printers, woodworking and metal equipment. We do not only support start-ups, we empower people!
esi: What is cool about your start-upcountry, what inspires you and keeps you thriving?
Vincent: There is a lot of activity in the Netherlands right now. When I look back what there was available in terms of entrepreneurship education or support, when I studied Business Administration in ’01-’08, this is a total different world today. I am motivated by the people that come with their ideas to our Makerspace – for example recently there was a man who works for a company that assembles high-tech underwater robots and he wanted to design an improvement to an existing model. We were able to provide him with the tools to build a prototype. With a working prototype he could convince his boss to implement the improvement.
esi: What makes you shake your head about your start-upcountry, what needs to be improved?
Vincent: We need more education on entrepreneurship on all levels. Students still lack an entrepreneurial mindset and are not prepared to think outside the box. A career in a big corporation seems to be the only way for them to fulfill their dreams. However, if you really want to fulfill your dreams, you should do it yourself and become an entrepreneur! Also, I would suggest incorporating some kind of coding classes in all fields of studies. No matter what field you work in, you will encounter software solutions and should know at least the basics about coding.
esi: What’s some cool fact we are likely not to know about your start-upcountry?
Vincent: 3D printing is a very hot topic right now. Many start-ups in the Netherlands are working on 3D printing solutions. Shapeways is one of those companies and is the leading manufacturer of 3D printed parts. Shapeways started in Eindhoven before moving to New York City two years ago.
esi: Thank you for the interview.
About the interviewpartner: Bild: Vincent Wegener
Vinent Wegener is Co-founder of RDM Makerspace and owner of Appit.
